A new level experience that I crave!
So yesterday evening I came home after a day’s “work” and flipped my computer open, per the norm, to see if anything funny had happened in surf that I could joke about. A chilled Sauvignon from Marlborough, freshly poured into a small glass at my right hand. I poked about the usual spots not finding chuckles before retreating to my inbox and there glowed an email from Nick Carroll.
He had forwarded along a press release, see, from the World Surf League titled Airbnb & World Surf League Team Up to Offer Hundreds of New Experiences in 20+ Unique Surf Destinations and I felt the giggles rising as I read.
There’s nothing like a dose of surf, sand, and waves to help cleanse the spirit, reconnect with nature and get you out of your comfort zone. Much like diving into an unknown destination, surfing can be intimidating at first – but once you get in the groove, the adrenaline rush can lead to a lifelong love affair.
Airbnb travelers are no exception. In fact, surfing is among the most popular reasons to travel, reiterating the upward trend of passion-based travel, made easier with 10,000 Experiences now available to book via Airbnb.
I took a sip of wine before continuing, smile spreading from ear to ear.
“Surfing, as a sport and a culture, is synonymous with breaking new ground and traversing uncharted waters so it’s a natural fit to be partnering with Airbnb in this incredible new engagement,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “Championing experiences in the surfing and outdoor space is something both the WSL and Airbnb are very excited about moving forward. The potential to spread the stoke of surfing across the world, and give people experiences that will last a lifetime, is enormous. With Airbnb we are confident we can take surfing to a new level.”
Airbnb + WSL + surfing = New Level. And the mirth bubbled right to the surface. I skimmed down to where the “experiences” were listed ready to explode.
– Edouard & Antoine Delpero Surf School (Biarritz, France). Learn to surf or fine-tune your technique with the Delpero brothers at the major surfing destination in the heart of Basque country.
– Girls on Board Surf School (Phillip Island, Australia). Led by Jess Laing, Girls on Board will take you surfing at stunning Phillip Island.
– Surf Coaching with Leo Neves (Saquarema, Brazil). WSL veteran Leo Neves will take your surfing to the next level. Hone your skills with pro tips and video analysis.
– Learn to Surf with Luke Stedman & Damien Fahrenfort (Venice, Calif.). WSL veterans Luke Stedman and Damien Fahrenfort will teach you how to surf in classic California conditions.
Hold on right there. Luke Stedman and Dam Fahrenfort? Those are two of my favorite people in all of surf. I hurriedly clicked and lo and behold.
Hi, our names are Damien Fahrenfort & Luke Stedman! Join us on an experience of a lifetime! It’s said the best surfers in the water are the ones having the most fun. While we’re both ISA certified, what’s really equipped us with the skills to teach is competing against the world’s best for over 10 years. Yes, we’ve both surfed against Kelly Slater, he won;)
Both 3rd generation surfers we’ve dedicated our lives to surfing and traveling the globe. These days, nothing gets us more stoked than seeing people stand up on their first wave and enjoying the ocean like we have for over 20 years.
Son of a bitch. The experience costs a mere 90 bucks to hang out with Steds and Dooma for 2 hours. The honest to goodness deal of a lifetime and I’m signing up right now. If you want to join me click here. Seriously new level.
With you on that one but he definitely didn’t make the 70s Shane standard popout.( my 1st surfboard which probably made ADS $7 board look like gold. Luckily it was stolen by hippies in 1977 inspired by cavemen, on the mid north coast of NSW who were possibly wearing ugg boots ? Which led me to bob cooper and a 6’8” rounded pin shaped by Brian Cregan ) .
Why do I get the feeling that the woman in the photo pulls that face every few minutes like a regular tic, in reaction to everything and anything: hot coffee, cold ice cream, tepid conversation, you name it.
If you’re in a learn to surf program, and older than the age of ten, you’re a kook for life. Fact.
Kukae
All this never ending selling of surf is just so damn fuckedup, really. Like , the total opposite of rooted hardcore (true, no money involved, for love) surf. This shit is lame. Set that shit up for the fn pools. And stay tha fuck outta the way, kook(s)!
sick!!
the Steds and Dooma is cool . . . but what about this:
Welcome the WSL EXPERIENCE.
Hosted by WSL
9 Location determined by contest location
Q 1 week ttoal
[] Equipment
@ Offered in English, Austrailian English, Hawaiian Pidgin, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian.
$9999 per person
Dates dependent on contest selected
Please click on the ultimate contest experience.
[Uluwatu]
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil – May 10 – 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia – May 27 – June 9, 2018
“Uluwatu” Indonesia, June 13th, 2018.
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa – July 2 – 13, 2018
Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Tahiti – August 10 – 21, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
Quiksilver Pro France, France – October 3 – 14, 2018
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Portugal – October 16 – 27, 2018
Michelob Surf Ski Pro, Waco Texas, USA – November 10-20, 2018
Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii/USA – December 8 – 20, 2018
World Surf League approved
We’ve partnered with WSL, home of the world’s best surfing, to offer hand-picked experiences around the world.
Uluwatu is the premier surf destination in Indonesia, located at Bukit Peninsula in Bali and pays homage to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple.
About your host, The World Surf League
Due to the unforeseen events caused by excessive shark infestation and unnatural aggression, the WSL took action to protect its accomplished athletes by cancelling Event No. 3, the Margaret River Pro. This lead to the continuation of the contest at Uluwatu in Bali. Commencing within 48 hours after the conclusion of the Corona Pro Bali at Keramas.
Book your experience by June 8th, 2018. In the men’s event, 24 competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with Round 3. In the women’s event, eight competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with the Quarterfinals.
You and a friend will be treated as a guest competitor and given a once in life time opportunity to experience in totality all that a WSL athlete has in his or her contests.
Experience the righteousness of Indonesian surf and test your strength against other guests competitors.
What we’ll do
The WSL offers the best for its athletes in a fair and invigorating contests that tests all aspects of an expert surfer. You will join the elite for the duration of the contest and receive coaching and test your mettle in the guest rounds.
Once meeting your WLS rep at the local airport, you will be given the total WSL experience, staying at the hotels your favorite contestants are at.
What we’ll provide
access to left over quiver surfboards / wetsuit (if conditions dictate) + guest contest jersey + entrance into guest round. All access to WSL competitors, coaches, and parents.
Who can come
Guests 18+ and advanced level / expert surfers can attend.
Notes:
Get amped, get hyped, get the experience. Be elite for a week and live like a WSL athlete!
Remember this is a tour, not a vacation, as events will run on schedule.
On a serious note, might not be a bad play to buy up one of those houses on Jackson Street across from Kelly’s pond and run short term rentals.
Uh…where’s the Pipeline experience provided by serial scofflaw Ken Bradhshaw?
Slaps included, obviously…
Ain’t the World’s Oldest Profession™ grand!!!
Chaz Malbrough suave”s are cheap and nasty central Otago pino’s are where its at
Just championed a fart. Fuckin stinks. Spreading the stoke here.
No. Anything you want to do is off the schedule.
‘To me, Venice is very old school. Ya know, in the right way. It’s got that, like, authentic California surf scene.’
– Damian Fahrenfort
It cannot be overstated how fucking horrible Venice Beach California is.
Is the beach ever surfable? Been santa monica a few time and have barely seen a ridable wave. Where does the venice adjacent crew surf on a daily basis?
“Breaking new ground and traversing uncharted waters.”
roflmao. Who believes that shit ?
More like travelling on a highway littered with Mac wrappers and hypodermic syringes.
Fucken hell. She’s excited again.
“Championing experiences.” WTF does that even mean?
Wait, I got it. They’re doing a commission split with Airbnb or their licenced WSL Experience Providor.
WSL really does want to engage with anybody connected to surfing. Anybody. Really. Seriously. Anyone will do.
Air BnB: Alex Knost and Ford Archbold – Dawn-ish Patrol with Alex and Ford everyday at 11am when they’ll wake up and serve you over-microwaved Pop Tarts. Afternoon arts and crafts with Ford – “The Art of Self-Tattooing”. Build up your courage to break down the barriers of skill and know-how and learn that crummy self-tattoos are great. Early evening band practice. What? You don’t know how to play guitar? Neither does Alex or Ford! Be the fifth guitar player in their band. Life skills seminar with Metal Jimmy. Come for the fun and leave with a new progressive noir haircut. $22.37 per night for floor space accommodations. Bitchin!
This, this is the one
Venice adjacent locale kinda sketchy. Either you and Ashton will end up in the same group lesson or a pic of you getting pushed into a wave by this hunk surfaces on Stab within seconds
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Other experiences:
-Joel Tudor Surf School (Del Mar, CA)! Spend a day learning how to surf antiquated crafts in order to boost street cred and appear “cool.” Lessons will also focus on channeling your buried rage to become more outwardly grumpy… at everyone and everything, especially others who say they practice Joel Jitsu!
-Eating like a champion (Santa Monica, CA)! Find out how to live like a surf champion and icon. Surfing legend and ’89 World Champ, Martin Potter, will accompany you to your choice of all-you-can-eat restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area. Learn which food has pizzazz, how you build house while stuffing, and the importance of bottom turning in the bathroom. Afterwards, you will get to visit the World Surf League (the premier surfing competition organization) headquarters in Santa Monica.
-Surf Kicks Fun Camp (Cape Town, South Africa)! Indulge in your shoe fetish by staying with World Tour surfer, Jordan Michael Smith! Tour the legend’s dedicated shoe closet while listening to him explain how he came across every pair of kicks he has in there.
While we are on the subject of shoes , Luke Steadman’s dad, Shane, invented the ugg boot and still gets 3 free pairs of boots for life from the company he sold it to in 1983.
Shitty deal for him. Cunts have made millions.
He chose surfing in Sydney over working in the USA.
Invented? Otzi, the Tyrolean ice man, was wearing them five thousand years ago.
Bedtime Stories, With Adrian Buchan – Have a snuggle with Ace and cosy down for a night of warm milk and warmer company. Let Adrian tell you a tale before bed (no scary stories now!) and fall asleep with his soothing voice in your ear and hand on your chest. (Alternative hand placements available on negotiation).
Yay…Handies!!!
Don’t Learn To Surf with Nick Carroll. Stay at Nick’s house in Newport, Australia and fail an endless series of tests designed to break you. Try to ride one of his fucking impossible to ride ten channels in a shit beachie! Be forced to swim back to shore from 2k out in gale force winds! No food provided.
This is exactly how I imagine a stay with you, all to the backdrop of your riotous, vaguely Bond villain-ish laughter.
And the shark encounter. Let’s not forget the shark encounter.
Can I tell you, I love surfing, but in a Stockholm-syndrome sort of way. It’s held me captive for a long time. My experience of surfing is that it includes suffering as a vital energising factor. It can really hurt you and it’s better for that. Which is why this shtick above got me. Those sales pitches are like bad Air-BnB’s: you look at the pictures and think “oooo pretty!” Then you get there, the toilet doesn’t flush and spiders eat your flesh at night.
He’s ironically left out all the gay rape stuff though.
“Ouch” -phil
I upvoted this after I read four words, continued, and was not disappointed in the least.
Just like I was not disappointed at Hot Snakes in Santa Ana this past Wednesday night. Thumbs up emoji.
Shit man, that’s the first one I’ve missed around here since the early 2000’s. Hope you had a blast.
Thundering apocalyptic guitars with classic Froberg mumblings…It was “off the hook” and “slamma jamma” as the kids say. Aloha emoji!
Shaka bra! Six wave hold down!
Do a Peter schroff chainsaw juggling day.
They left out Fresno! How can you have a surf-destination list of Air BnB without Fresno?
If it’s good enough for the god of thunder ( from down under ) and Jen See then it’s definitely wsl worthy .
That’s “Fucking Fresno,” young lady.
Yes. This is a good edit.
Fres-yes!
Fres-fucking-no!
Come to kauai and learn from one of the best chick surfers in the world. Stay at a fat house with catered meals and enjoy crowding pakala and all assorted south and Westside breaks. Locals will be vibing and having words with your venerable coach who is taking your thousands of dollars and blowing smoke up your rich, white yuppie ass. Welcome to the world of douche!
Rochelle Ballard?
Your first sentence is a little off, it should read ‘no come Kaua’i’