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.
And the publisher translated The Skateboard into French and never said a word.
Weird.
The French cover is way better and the subtitle is catchy” De la Rue a la Rampe.“
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The Surfing Handbook was translated into German.
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Covered in rotting skin from stomach , chest and arms from the kids who loved them in the pre rash vest days of the 70s ? Those things made early astrodeck feel like moisturizer ?
The dad-bod hairy guy? I noticed that also. What a Rimmer.
Would like to see them on this raft :
The Raft of the Medusa
Painting by Théodore Géricault.
I break the rules sometimes and refer to politics, and when in a bad mood; vent some dark feelings.
Not only is that old-fashioned politeness, it was looking after your own resources in a sustainable fashion!
I used to get the bus out to skate that long ditch next to HK golf course. Can’t remember what it’s called now. “Off The Wall”?
Thanks for that Scotty!
I like Mike Feb’s gangly flow.
Ah no,
My comment was not about beauty as such, but about the hardened scowl of determination she presents to the press pack.
good call.
It’s all about recycling.
You were saving the world, dude.
thanks bud, will watch tonight.. fascinated!
thanks. that’s my mother in laws’s Christmas gift sorted for next year.
You know what? Fuck this!
I never did that personally as I wasn’t cool enough to go to Sandy’s with the gang.
They would also hit up the one in Waikiki to session walls after school. I’m sure it was just at the end of Kapahulu before the beach. Again… I was boring and went home.
I won’t reinvent my true history to sound cooler.
He’s so haole, he doesn’t even know he’s haole
I dislike Ashton Goggins.
I’ve never met him.
However…
Don’t sell yourself short, matey.
You be Ass Kicking Fucko !
The Dogs of Winter by Kem Nunn. All of Derek Hynds stuff from eighties and nineties. Lewis Samuels power rankings for sure. And most important all of Longtoms contest recaps here on BG. If he reads all of these with an open mind he might actually put down the paddle and do a good job.
P.S. Oprah SUCKS
Oprah surfs twinkies, Hilary Clintons labia and…….Gayle.
Also Reno Abelira’s ” It Leaves you Breathless” and Gerry Lopez’s “Attitude Dancing” from mid seventies surf mags.
Oh yeah and ” We are tops now” by Kanga.
Well that’s just great. Stand by for Erik Logan’s WSL Studios take on “It Leaves You Breathless”, starring Lakey Peterson, Emma Stone, and that guy from Aquaman.
Just thinking that might give him some insight sorry Nick I’ll keep my thoughts to myself next time.
I think we all have to try to pitch in and help out here
Yeah, his reply to @jcbcrz worries me. He was advised to watch early 2000’s ASP content and replied that he’s been reading a LOT.
That’s a bit like “hand me the crescent spanner”, “ok, here’s a drill”.
[the tool metaphor was not unintentional]
What the FUCK are all those GQ-style shots of Biolos?? Is that what Stab does all the time to their correspondents?
Penis Envy?
( As per Bexy’s accusations to me)
I’m sure if you offered your guest editorship to Stab, they’d do you a flattering sultry shoot also!
“Nick is wearing a budgie-smuggler by TCSS X Piping Hot, earrings by Roark Revival”
They are truly truly amazing… I’ve spent hours staring at each.
He looks like a goddam movie star
The images used do not resemble someone Lost or causing Mayhem ?
Suppose he has matured and as Cyndi sang “ Money changes everything “ , as I saw a plethora of puddle jumpers and related lost boards while surfing New Year’s Day in the Baltic Sea ( about 20 boards at €600 a pop ) .
Dammit! I just used that idiotic song lyric in a story I’m writing. If I leave it in there Bicko, you can take great delight in reading it, knowing you tormented me by its use
Sorry brother . No harm intended . Thanks for your Coastalwatch Xmas message .
I don’t suppose you wrote an article about the WSL referencing “ The Ship of Fools “ originating from Book IV of Plato’s Republic ?
Sadly, no! It was more about how the new pay packets for the women are likely to trigger the unintended consequence of the women becoming as egotistical as the men. For as we all know, thanks to the immutable wisdom of Cyndi Lauper, “Money Makes You Think You’re More Important Than You Are”
I thought the same but kept my mouth shut cause I didn’t;t have anything nice to say!
Are you next ?
Dear Mr Erik:
Ditch the SUP, literally any other watercraft would be better
Ditch the photographer, nobody that matters cares
Grow a set, constantly being overly positive is nauseating. Show/ tell us how you’re really feeling.
Do an interview with Chas, purely for my own entertainment