BeachGrit approved!
Chris Coté is something of a legend in the surf industry. Love him or hate him, you’d recognize his boyish and bespectacled profile just about anywhere. He’s like the white Masekela or the skinnier Drew Carey.
My introduction to Coté was through his work at Transworld Surf Magazine, where he helped build the most fun-loving surf rag in the States. I was pretty young at the time, but I vividly remember Coté getting grilled monthly in the Letters to the Editor section. He’d then reply with some sort of self-deprecating but inevitably victorious quip that would leave me rolling.
I don’t know this for sure but, based on his background in skating (and skating’s marvelous invention, King of the Road) Coté was likely the mastermind behind Transworld Surf’s Cali Rally — the high watermark in surfing extracurriculars.
But then Transworld went under in 2013 and Coté, the longtime Ed. in Chief, was without work. So what’d he do, sulk around aimlessly? Probably. Cry? Definitely. But eventually Chris recovered and leveraged his position in the surf world into a new profession: action sports broadcasting.
I use the term “action sports” because he covers both surf and skate, plus it’s in the name of his new podcast. I said his new podcast!
Monday M.A.S.S., or Monday Action Sports Show, although I’m fairly certain there’s an acronymical issue there, is the only podcast (to my knowledge) that offers weekly news on all things surf, snow, and skate. He’s currently five episodes into his new gig and, I’ll be honest, the first few aren’t so sexy but they’re getting better each time!
I’m particularly fond of Coté’s tone, which has the perfect blend of zest, ambivalence and satire. Much like anything written by Chas Smith, it’s hard to tell if Coté is praising or viciously roasting his subjects.
My favorite parts of Monday M.A.S.S include Coté’s downright assault on hi-perf longboarding (March 20th episode), his ongoing but unexplained feud with Robert Kelly Slater (most episodes), and his ability to lock in obscure sponsors like a standing-desk brand or a weed dispensary (every episode).
Peep it on iTunes!
I feel like that’s how most of SB’s KPBS radio surf reports sound. Too bad he’s out of a job there when NPR loses funding later this year.
yeh, I like Jed.
now i’m interested
I always start to tune out when women’s surfing is discussed, he said something about Steph being surfings princess Di, and then I zoned out!
Haha, not mine. Try it, you’ll like it.
I’ll always respeck Cote since I saw him in the front row at a Mogwai show enjoying the shit out of it.
Get farrrrrrrrrrrrked!
How good is this comment region shit?
ha ha rad! One of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
cote im in but no SUP or im out.
I miss Rory
I can’t get it to work without downloading something with an apple logo on it which fills me with revulsion and inadequacy…but I did find it here – https://yewonline.com/2017/… – so well done and apologies.
itunes? is it only meant for elitist fancy pants wanks?
Surf Splendour did a great interview with him, I’ll give it a listen, plenty of room for more podcasts! The ain’t that swell shows have really been improving of late!
Do the surf podcasts only talk surf and heat recap bullshit?
Joe Rogan is good- he talks outside of fighting. #929 with billionaire Dan Pena was fucking amazing. His perspective on interest rates and borrowing money today was unlike anything I’ve heard
The surf splendour/ down the line is usually a good bit of good natured banter between the two hosts (see “chop-hop”), with the words “nuance” and “nuanced” said every two minutes by David. That minor criticism aside its great, even non-surfers would enjoy the bi-weekly round up. The last one they did was solely about the snapper contest and not very representative of their show in general. The “ain’t it swell” is pretty good too, very ozzy, very funny but the volume is a bit all over the place. They talk classic stories that I’ve never heard, and I suspect the surfers involved wouldn’t be too thrilled to have aired!
There is also surf simply which is hit and miss, sometimes very good, but it’s done by coaches who are used to explaining basic concepts to beginners which they do throughout the show which can be a little tedious! But each show has got some good parts in it!
But yeah they are very surf centric which is the point after all, I’m not going to be looking for financial advice from a surfing podcast!
I find listening to a surf podcast for an hour worse than having a rusty nail shoved up my japs eye.
None of my friends are into pro surfing, I have nobody to talk to about this shameful interest of mine, hence I listen to surf podcasts and frequent comment boards on surf websites! I need new friends!
nah, talking about surfing in public sounds douchey 100% of the time, unless you’re just going to say your session sucked
Nah fuck that, surfers are all cunts. You’re doing it right.
What the hooker said to the leper
Very nuanced analysis
David i have listened to all your back catalogue, and I promise to subscribe, brilliant content, in general I prefer the surf round up with Scott, but for me the best show was with David Parmenter, best ever, keep up the nuanced work!
Ain’t That Swell is the new benchmark. Someone pay these fuckers.
Corona are paying the fuckers!
I think the profits are finished before the show stops recording
The Dooley is fun
I’ll check it out!
First episode ever, and just after they shutdown TWS. Very grateful to Chris for helping me launch with that story.
I love Chris and I miss Transworld but I hate the term “Action Sports.” At least he didn’t say “Xtreme Sports.”
I agree, but I cant figure out any other way to say it?
Board sports.
boardsports?
boredsports?
You agree that you love Chris? Not sure if there is a better way to say that you’re an egotistical narcissist. As far as the show goes, Monday Assessment of Cool Shit? Monday Macs, try to get a sponsorship from Mcdonalds or Apple. But I don’t know if either of those corporations are as lucrative as your standing desk or drug dealer.
“McDonalds or Apple” I love your enthusiasm. Shoot for the stars indeed.
McDonalds=Big Mac
Apple=Macbook Pro
You deserve a medal for banging Madonna back in the day
Chris is the black Bryant Gumble of the surf world.
The black Bryant Gumble hahahaha well played.
As much as i totally respect Chris, his voice makes me want to punch him in the face. Every time i hear it. Im a very non violent person but he sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me. Hes literally the only person ive ever felt this way about(well him and the lead singer of Bad Religion). Im conflicted on a serious level
Thanks for the upvote Chris! Hahaha seriously though mad respect for everything you’ve accomplished. If i can get a transcibed version of the podcast im in for sure. Bet theres some solid material.
I’ll print it out and have Samuel L. Jackson read it for you. “What’s In your wallet?!”
Thats a touch cost prohibative. A sultry latina voice over though… could be had for fractions of a penny on a Sammy L dollar
I got a cousin who needs side work!
Point proven!