Seven-time world champ weighs in on bikinis!
Multiple news outlets reported, yesterday, on the World Surf League’s alleged edict to photographers/videographers not to focus on female professional surfers’ rumps whilst duck diving/bottom turning. The original story appeared in Stab, though the WSL’s Vice-President of Global Brand Identity, Mr. Dave Prodan, told the Herald that Stab‘s reporting was “largely inaccurate.”
Still, a fun enough moment though it did not seem particularly noteworthy to me. I don’t ever recall seeing very tightly framed shots of female professional surfers’ rumps during a webcast nor have I ever read any complaints about any uncomfortable leering by the WSL’s lensmen.
Still. Fun. And even more fun when seven-time world champ Layne Beachley goes on the radio to discuss.
Now, where would you think Ms. Beachley would come down on the issue? Do you think she would decry blatant sexism whilst praising the WSL on its (now debunked) stricter guidelines? Well you are wrong. Layne says bring the sexy!
I respect the fact women can choose the bikinis they wish to surf in based on comfort or practicality. It’s up to them to choose how they want to present themselves. I think it’s a step in the wrong direction as far as telling cameramen that they can’t film girls duck-diving or doing bottom turns, because that’s a natural part of surfing. I appreciate the “zooming in” part though, I don’t think there’s any need to zoom in on it.
I’ve always been a proponent of “sex sells”, and that was a part of the generation that I came through, and we just struggled to get any attention and recognition, let alone sponsorships.
We’ve broken down those barriers and now the women are actually embracing there femininity, their beauty, their style, their grace and their sexiness. And if that’s helping them sell the sport and improve their chances of being supported throughout their careers, then good luck to them.
Such a wonderfully reasoned response in these shrill times. Don’t you think?
Saw Layne and 3 other peers surf Angourie Point one morning. Not a place that has a slack core group of surfers. She and her pals out surfed every dude out there.
When Stephanie legitimately won 5 world titles (excluding the dodgy 6th), was Stephanie selling sex? The impression was Stephanie looked like a dedicated focused athlete. Did she even have a boyfriend during those years? Carissa & Tyler? Do they sell sex? 2019 world champ Lakey cluckily smooching her fiancée all the time is not exactly ‘selling sex’ but domestication.
Oh no!
Maybe the girls are onto something and even the Beach Grit signature trunks are too long. Only problem is that my wax is gonna look like a Chia Pet. #shredlikeslater
Bradshaw hit that, pretty hard.
Notice how Turpel said Bomb drop after I used it in this article.
He’s cribbing from BG.
Shite, not this one. Soz Chas.
No more below the waist shots of Kolohe on the podium now either I assume?
is he packing?
Apparently it’s like Garry Coleman’s forearm holding a cricket ball.
I propose they all surf in burkas. Actually what are they doing out of the kitchen in the first place?
But seriously, they should be able to express themselves however they want, the most beautiful part of women’s surfing is the way they make riding waves look sexy. Unlike myself, who makes it look painful and unnatural
Oh man, I read some reference to that WSL filming thing, like what the actual fuck. The heats I watched looked no different than any others I’ve ever seen.
I got a pile of bikinis here and I ain’t about to burn my Feminist Card yet. But also policin’ what women wear is some kind of retrograde nonsense. Shut that shit down.
I have actually heard Layne crap on about wanting to be respected as a surfe,r and how hard it was trying to earn respect at manly blah blah blah having to surf against the guys blah blah blah broken record stuff.
So this is more about her getting her head back in the media than anything!!
You seen that website of hers? Hahaha
After extensive research, I’ve discovered that women have always had arses, even when they walked the Earth as Neanderthals. Bikinis are a more modern phenomenon. So far, my research has discovered that women actually dress themselves each morning and even use their own legs to walk to the beach. Some even choose to wear bikinis that accentuate their arses. To my knowledge, men do not dress women and these lovely creatures exercise something called “free will”. Fancy that.
On behalf of all of us, thank you Nikolarse for your selfless efforts into resolving this pressing matter.
You’re most welcome! My pants go down to Layne Beachley and all her sensible sisters. Let your Fanny Floss Fly!* *Fanny as in the American vernacular.
God I love women.
As the world mourns the death of Professor Stephen Hawking, your extensive research gives the world’s scientific community… Hope… Thank You! (In a speech synthesized voice)
Here, you know you wanna know. Why imagine it when you can hear it. Be forwarned, you will go down a rabbit hole, but it’s worth the laughs. Even if you’re alone. https://lingojam.com/Stephe…
Glad to see STAB getting sent to the principal’s office* for shoddy reporting. STAB’s efforts to break WSL news first has undoubtedly soured their relationship with Prodan and Co.. A Google search of this reveals STAB getting their due bad karma across multiple news outlets across the entire world. Fucking love it! Good job Chas bringing the spotlight upon your adversary. #grudgereport
* not the principle ‘s office
principle bend’s em over the knee for a spank.. “better not zoom in!”
I’m interested in what Laird has to say on this topic!
The WSL isn’t promoting female rumps… it the brands that are selling sexy rumps and it sounds like Layne & Co are cool with it.
yeah, you’ve got surfing, which appeals to nearly nobody vs ass, which is probably one of the 3 most powerful things on earth
Why are we treating this girls like idiots? As if they’re blatantly unaware of what their choice of swimwear is and how it looks on them.
Could see Stryder saying this verbatim
Being around women when this topic has been discussed (limited to a small handful of times), I’ve noticed that the uglier ones have less of a problem with men leering their physiques. More than a few described feeling complimented being shown such interest. Layne’s response does not surprise me.
Ouch, nice sub-context
pretty sure the reverse applies on the Goldy
I prefer to be able to read her actual statement then just sound bites of her original comment. She makes a good point. The blatantly sexism can fuckoff into a black hole. Thanks for giving balance to this week’s reporting. Totally reasonable.