Hope reigns supreme!
Today is the day that the World Surf League’s
President of Content, Media and WSL Studios sheds the “elect” and
takes the public-facing reins of professional surfing. Since his
appointment, some months ago, we have thrilled at each
pronouncement, every press release and especially the Instagram
posts from @elo_eriklogan,
a robust look into the life of our leader.
And it was on Instagram yesterday, New Year’s Eve, when
celebrations around the globe mark a turning of the page, that Mr.
President loosed the greatest work yet. A heartwarming piece of
insight.
He listens to The People!
He cares what we think!
Can you believe? It is like a fantasy, a boyhood dream but here,
I’ll show you.
@jcbcrz wrote, “@Beach_Grit (Oh that’s our nasty account filled
to overflowing with social justice
warriors and extra amped adult
learners. Stay far far away.) is hating on you hard…
let’s call it constructive criticism from your peers. My advice for
success at your new position in the WSL, watch some ASP content
from the early 2000s. Surfing was like F1 back then… as in
badass.”
Mr. President responded immediately, “@jcbcrz Jacob, thank you
for the note. 100% will be looking and have been for some time now.
Also a LOT of reading… excited for what’s ahead. Happy New Year to
you…
Isn’t that beautiful? Doesn’t it make you feel?
Oh, I know that many if not most of you doubt. You think that
Erik Logan is an adult learning SUPper from the Oprah Network with
an entourage of photographers and severe lack of shame and you are
right. He is all of those things but he also listens and that is a
first in the World Surf League era.
Ex-CEO Paul Speaker couldn’t be bothered, imagining millions of
potential new fans and actively marginalizing existing ones. The
great “Backward Fin” Beth refused to understand the joke. Current
CEO Sophie Goldschmidt attempted to listen but, during media day at
Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch her eyes were beyond glazed and I’m sure
for good reason. Who could stand the incessant prattle of Vaughn
Blakey, Nick Carroll, Derek Rielly, Chas Smith etc.? She came to us
from professional tennis, if you recall, and I’d imagine her trying
to listen to surf talk from surf journalists would be like any one
of us attending Merfest and getting hammered
with the most efficient way to dry a tail.
Plus, the media is only part of her purview but it is all of Mr.
President Erik Logan’s and I cannot wait for our first sit down.
Our first face-to-face. It’s why I haven’t driven up to chilly
Manhattan Beach and accosted him in his extraordinary Power Wheels.
Because I believe. I believe he cares about us and won’t shirk from
a proper, through-the-front-door interview.
Might I be wrong? Might he continue to bastardize our favorite
water pastime besides sailing in a series of tone deaf moves while
actively and aggressively marginalizing grumpy locals? Maybe but
there are signs that he is different. He never blocked me or
Beach_Grit (that cursed place) on Instagram, for example. It took
Street Fightin’ Man Ashton
Goggans 4 minutes, literally 4 minutes, to block when
I tagged him in a photo the other day. Plus he listens. He really,
truly listens.
And if I am wrong? Well, I’ve got two scalps on my belt (Speaker
+ Backward) and a third would be welcome.
