Kook or Curren is the concept pioneered by Surf Splendour's David Scales where odd-ish behaviour (wearing a rash shirt, booties with trunks) is measured by two poles. You're either a kook or you're someone fabulous enigmatic, and beyond reproach, like Tom Curren.

Are you: A Kook or Tom Curren?

Podcast follies with David Scales and Chas Smith… 

Recently, BeachGrit principal BeachGrit Chas Smith and broadcaster David Lee Scales made the fourth of their bi-weekly podcasts.

As I may have said before, podcasts are an oddly unabbreviated medium where length seems to trump content, the longer the better.

As enthralled I was to Rory Parker’s West Coast baritone, and back when he was a contributing editor to this website, after twenty minutes I was headed for the exits. Where print, and online, demands a ruthless edit, for even one misplaced word will be pounced upon, podcasts seem to be a modern stream-of-consciousness.

Unformed thoughts, thinking aloud are native characteristics of the podcast extending thirty minutes of good interview beyond an hour.

Oh, but then the commute, the trip to the mountains, down the coast. Kendrick gets you so far. Since falling asleep ain’t the option, I’ve come to live on these things.

I’ve thrown David and Chas’ shows on back to back to back and I find that the queer lassitude of Chas is the perfect foil for David’s spring blossom, fierce-about-everything persona.

In this episode, which was recorded at Album Surf in San Clemente, California, Matt Parker loans Chas an asymmetrical board and explains he design theory and why it’ll help Chas shred harder than ever. David and Chas then discuss purchasing and reviving the greatest surf brand of all time, whether or not puka shells are ever acceptable, punching your heroes in the face, naming your chid Barrel (yes, someone did), and a Power Rankings of B-list pro surfer’s wives.

The highlight, of course, is Kook or Curren.

Click below etc.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
58 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Manuka
Manuka
9 years ago

I have a few “surf brand” trunks, but I removed every possible tag/piece of the brand from it. I’m I still a kook?
I guess. I fell like a kook for asking…

Otto
Otto
9 years ago

Is the plastic wrap some secret science only Tom knows about optimum preparation for the tin foil hat?

channelbottom
channelbottom
9 years ago
Reply to  Otto

Keeps his religious beliefs intact.

Karl Von Fanningstadt
Karl Von Fanningstadt
9 years ago

#yourenotthebossofme #vanlife #mickfanning #itotallyagree #vaimedina #charlemagne #hellisotherpeople #topfiveblistsurferwivesclub #seasonedvets #yesman #omginsta #like #cabo #mansamusai #chandlersurfboards

Tom House
Tom House
9 years ago

Tom Curren is my favorite surfer of all time but I honestly can’t decide if Curren is a lesson in the joys of living a life dedicated wholly to surfing or a lesson about the downside of living a life wholly dedicated to surfing. Could go either way.

Dead serious.

velobwoy
velobwoy
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

Could not have said it better

Otto
Otto
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

A very koorren assessment.

Louis P
Louis P
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

I can’t decide if this comment is #kookorcurren

Ami Lost
Ami Lost
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

I’ve always felt that position helps us feel a closer connection to him in ourselves than maybe the lifestyle Kelly has/wants. Many have struggled with the addiction and that decision while looking for a job, graduating from college, sitting in a cubicle or starting a family. Typed while I sit here making a pittance so I can surf when I want instead of living inside the carpeted wall insane asylum I used to call my office

Nick Carroll
Nick Carroll
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

Well maybe think of it from Tom’s point of view, what the hell would his life have been like without surfing?

Tom House
Tom House
9 years ago
Reply to  Nick Carroll

I’d bet that Curren himself would really, really like to know.

Willy
Willy
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom House

Is Curren kook or Curren? #mindmeltingexistentialism 🙂 xD

bitter guy
bitter guy
9 years ago

the answer is: unless you’re Curren, you’re a kook. nobody has been able to do a better cutback and he’s given us 25 years to do it. that guy can do whatever he wants, but that doesn’t mean you can. its like thinking you can dress femme cause David Bowie fucks a lot of chicks.

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago

Painful.

Chas – stick to words on a page, paper or web. That way I can read them in something other than monotone drone. You’re a ball hair away from Spicoli.

David – stick to earnestness and interviews. I know Chas makes you swoon and you’re elated to be hanging with the cool kids, but you’re trying too hard.

Audit In Progress
Audit In Progress
9 years ago

But isn’t that why you make sad comments on Beach Grit (and instagram)? Swooning over Chas, wanting to hang with the cool kids, all while trying way too hard?

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago

Can you read?

Audit In Progress
Audit In Progress
9 years ago

No. Can you write?

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago

Yeah I can. And I even get paid.

What do people pay you for?

Otto
Otto
9 years ago

You’re definitely a kook JP Currie!!! Bounce you Barney!!!
Nobody likes you here kook! Beat it barney!

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Otto

Haha. You guys are good, really. I honestly would love to meet you cunts face-to-face. When was the last time you went outside?

Otto
Otto
9 years ago

Okay! Lets make it happen kook! You hang out in Venice with your back against The Inertia correct? I can be there right quick if you are agreeable. I’m a big guy, over 6’4″ and 240 lbs. so get ready to get your ass thoroughly kicked!

ricmatic
ricmatic
9 years ago
Reply to  Otto

you look more like 50 tons and 45ft long in your photo, Somebody is lying…

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Otto

Haha. This just gets better. Unfortunately I’m on the other side of the Atlantic. Just as well, now that you’ve told me how big and scary you are! I bet you’ve got a massive cock too, yeah?

Otto
Otto
9 years ago

Jealous aren’t ya!?! https://uploads.disquscdn.c…

Mapski
Mapski
9 years ago

The correct nomenclature is dork.

Bleach'd Git
Bleach'd Git
9 years ago

Dude – what happened to you? I didn’t think you were this angry in the beginning.

You know you could change your name and pic and nobody would notice or care, right? Surely you don’t get any real pleasure out of coming on here once a month, making a bitchy comment and getting heckled by everyone.

I mean I know some people take pleasure from getting tied up and kicked in the nuts by men in stilletos, but fuckin’ hell.

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Bleach'd Git

Mate, I’m not really. And as far as I can tell it’s the same 2 or 3 yanks trolling me every time. Fair enough, they spend enough of their time here, they must feel the need to police it and defend every criticism. To be honest every time I get sucked down to their level I regret it. I only came here today to say that I thought the Grit pods have been pretty shite. Just a two man daisy chain. The kicking dogs and punching Occy thing tipped me over the edge. If you’re going to be irreverent, at least be funny.

Bleach'd Git
Bleach'd Git
9 years ago

I waste too much time trawling through the comments to be able to waste more on podcasts, so I can’t comment there.

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago

Oh now you’ve lost me. Punching Occy in the face because his face would be as comfortable to fist as a nice fat black lab would be to foot was funny. The problem appears to be you J.P. And some advice, while you’re here, never brag about getting paid to write.

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

My, my. Mr Unflappable is flapping! Deep joy!

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago

No, sir! You know I like you and always wish you stayed longer when you swing by. The advice, however unsolicited, was serious. Boasting about getting paid to write whilst sparring on message boards is never pretty. Especially when The Inertia is making the checks. Do you disagree?

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

Oh no, I completely agree. But I wasn’t referring to The Inertia. Surf writing for most of the people that do it isn’t a real job, you of all people should know that. I mean, that’s why you’re writing books, right? And that’s why you got fed up of it and quit before slipping back in with this.

Just to clarify: surf writing isn’t my job.

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago

Mmmmm. I disagree! I love writing books because I can’t help it. I can’t help sitting down at my computer and unwinding a long story… no matter how non-sensical or weird. When I quit surf writing, those four or whatever years ago, it was because I thought it was empty. I left and went to fashion and back to war and politics and realized that surfing is not, in fact, empty. It is a playground where one can swing on all the monkey bars. I realized, most of all, that there are still stories that need to be told here. No matter how non-sensical or weird.

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

Which is in complete contradiction to BG. I get what this is, obviously, and that’s fine. But you can’t pretend that 99% of what’s published on BG is anything to do with your love of “story”!
With the Grit pod you’re becoming a caricature of yourself. Not entirely your fault, of course, you have a fluffer. But you should do more Yemen type stuff and fewer personal digs at people, if you can. More Longtom, too, please.

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago

No no… I think you have very specific notions of what makes something valuable. I, on the other hand, have embraced the empty with all my heart!

longtom
longtom
9 years ago

I’m not going on a fucking podcast you dingleberry

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago
Reply to  longtom

You are now! Calling you in next show!

longtom
longtom
9 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

Only way you’d get me on there is if you strode down my driveway in those below the knee OP trunks you wore in Yemen with a mike in one hand and a new Pyzel Ghost under the other arm.

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago
Reply to  longtom

Then you’d do it? For sure?

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  longtom

And nor would I want you to! If I had to listen to you spouting literary allusion in your antipodean brogue I’m sure it would sound fucking ridiculous!

small fins
small fins
9 years ago

your a fucking kook bah

Audit In Progress
Audit In Progress
9 years ago

Haha, this is the best brag ever.

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
9 years ago

Oh don’t worry JP. I don’t like to listen to myself either but is that your biggest complaint? That I sound like a monotone Spicoli? Or is it the content or what?

Chazz Michael Michaels
Chazz Michael Michaels
9 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

That was a meaningless and personal jibe instigated by you talking about kicking dogs, pitbulls specifically. I apologise for that.

Yes, it’s the content.

KNOBBER
KNOBBER
9 years ago

Here’s what I do when I read or hear something that I don’t agree with on the internet; instead of criticising or demeaning anyone with trolling statements, I tend to 1) Offer suggestions in a friendly manner such as this one right here 2) Quietly leave and continue my Google search for more dick pics of That Dead Whale At Trestles because that fucker is a sight to behold! 3) Suggest we all put on Rip Curl t-shirts and have a hugathon.

GiGi
GiGi
9 years ago

The Vulcan guy was good to listen too

Wardo's PO
Wardo's PO
9 years ago
Reply to  GiGi

They had Dane from Vulcan on? I’ve got a 5’5 fish of his – goes well in gutless 1 foot surf and has become the ‘longboard’ in my quiver.

GiGi
GiGi
9 years ago
Reply to  Wardo's PO

the one before chas. pretty articulate guy too…. been salivating over those for a while, but the Stretch’s work too well for me, for now….

Wardo's PO
Wardo's PO
9 years ago
Reply to  GiGi

Alright, I’ll have to check it out. He’s actually a really nice guy and he shapes a good fish. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice.

Dumb Florida Redneck
Dumb Florida Redneck
9 years ago

I went out and had shorts and shirts made for cheaper than volcom and my shit feels better.

channelbottom
channelbottom
9 years ago

I’d happily rock a ‘Turd Ferguson’ T-shirt. Where can I buy one?

Dumb Florida Redneck
Dumb Florida Redneck
9 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom

Well it’s actually S#&* surf but Nm…

GiGi
GiGi
9 years ago

Kendrick can get you to the corner, Meek Mill will get you cross country. If not, there’s always Titus Andronicus …

channelbottom
channelbottom
9 years ago

Ah So! Chasfucian wisdom.
This Martian Disqus thing totary fleeekin me out.

North Korea is BEST Korea!

NEGATRON
NEGATRON
9 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom

Just preparing our American Brothers and Sisters for the forthcoming revolution…

Managed to get the adverts down to just the one, but was really hoping that they’d be in Korean when I tweaked the settings…

channelbottom
channelbottom
9 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

나는 재미 있었어!

Ami Lost
Ami Lost
9 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

ADded usage of this website will BLOCK your colon but you will then have adverted the problems that come with kissing Strider and getting diarrhea

Tom
Tom
9 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

ah was it Korean – I am back to mother tongue!!! talking shit that is!!


58
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x