You met me at a very strange time in my life.
Oh ye of little faith. Ye hand-wringers and furrow brow’d. Ye frowny-face’d, hurt-feeling’d, ultra-serious friends. Did you really think all of this was for one podcast? For one simple podcast where I go in guns blazing, telling the World Surf League’s President of Content, Media, etc. Erik “ELo” Logan off, finally having our say then storming out in a blaze of broken ceramic WSL mug shards?
Or being dragged out by the collar, vintage Ray-Bans in pieces on the floor, even though a neck/lower receding jawline punch couldn’t bring them low?
For one damned podcast?
Really?
Oh.
I suppose that’s the way every single one of my short story arcs have played thus far. I provoke, opponent takes giant swing losing balance in the process while I stand to the side laughing, the audience either laughing with me or at but I’m always the winner.
I’m always Mohammed Ali dancing like a butterfly, stinging like a bee.
And it was easy with Mick Fanning, Rip Curl’s Neil Ridgway, Ashton Goggans, etc. Simple and funny-ish but I’m bored to tears with these short story arcs now. A decade plus writing the same material. They’re all the exact same except for the beanies or berets.
The World Surf League’s President of Content, Media, etc. Erik “ELo” Logan, though, is a different challenge altogether. A heavyweight. A worthy opponent trained in the arts of manifested success, mentored by Oprah, charming, quick, savvy.
This is core versus corporate at a level I haven’t come close to scratching and I don’t want to write another short story. I want to write a novel, or at least novella, with twists and turns, intrigue, hopes, hopes dashed and, at the end (spoiler alert) this scene right here…
You may not like each of the chapters but I’ll be damned if you don’t appreciate the book.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Absolutely, but there’s plenty of people representing surfing in a beautiful way. Does it really matter how the WSL represents it? Or how the mainstream swallows it? Surely the WSL only has as much significance as we give them
Nothing says “I’m okay” like adding that “really”.
You’ve won me back completely with this Chas. You never completely lost me, but I was a tad perplexed by the “podcast” softball toss and catch with the neo-maxi-zoomed-dweebie SUP’er… but I understand your mission completely now… #ISTANDWITHCHAS
softcock
grow up
I may have been a little generous.
Finally listened to podcast. You were reserved and soft Chas but I think I understand your longer term intention. You were information gathering I think. Also, how many fucken times did Elo say “great question”. Hate his ego and for a VAL. I really want to drop in on him. I don’t think learners should be in management at WSL. Makes no sense..Also what’s the average demographic of the BG commentator?
Would “Trouble” have been a more lucrative endeavour as a Netflix special in Elo’s future fantasy for surfing? I can sense a long game here but not the one you refer to in your piece above.
I fucking hate making surf films and will never ever fucking make another if that’s what you want to know.
That’s a shame. I personally hope Elo’s vision doesn’t eventuate, but if it does having decent content will be its only saving grace. Probably sounded like I was having more of a dig than I was. We all have to pay the bills. “Trouble” was great.
He attac
He protec
Something wrong with your keyboard there Bob?
It’s only a matter of time before something ridiculous happens, will need calling out, and for certain we’ll all bitch about it. Chas will be there, as will we. Bring on some controversy at the Bali pro and some soul crushing floggings at Shippies!
Ahoy cunts.
Flacid. The podcast. The mea culpa. For the love of god don’t be a flacid dick.
Aah Fight Club, one of the greatest films ever! Plus… Pixies.
I’ve been trying so hard to find the you tube clip of Marla talking to Tyler. I wanted to quote it to a certain banned editor of Surfer magazine. I can’t find the clip but did find the dialogue. Just change Marla and Tyler for Chas and Ben and it’s even funnier:
What I’ve come to realize
is that I really like you, Chas.
You do?
I really do.
I care about you and I don’t want anything
bad to happen to you because of me.
Chas, your life is in danger.
What?
You need to leave town for a while.
Get out of any major city.
– Just go camping…
– You’re an insane person.
– No. l’ve involved you in something terrible.
– No. Shut up!
– You’re not safe.
– Shut up!
– Listen, I tried, Ben. I really tried.
– I know you did.
There are things about you I like.
You’re smart, funny.
You’re spectacular in bed (LOL)
But
you’re intolerable.
You have very serious emotional problems.
Deep-seated problems
for which you should seek professional help.
– I know, and I’m sorry.
– You’re sorry, I’m sorry. Everyone’s sorry.
I can’t do this any more.
I can’t.
And I won’t.
I’m gone.
You can’t leave, Chas! You’re not safe!
– Chas, you don’t understand!
– Leave me alone!
– Chas, I am trying to protect you!
– Let go!
– I don’t ever wanna see you again!
Maybe you also need coaching by Oprah?
So are you saying ElPorto does or doesn’t prepare us to surf anywhere in the world? Don’t bury the lede
I have surfed it in every colour. It’s a valid, albeit usually shitty wave but can get amazing.
Dez,
if this doesn’t work as link – you can maybe find it – coastalwatch had it
Mike February surfing sand point – this is surfing and life – epic!!!
https://vimeo.com/329758266
Tom, that was one of the best little surfing films I’ve seen in a while. So chilled. Good music, good surf, and Mikey Feb having fun. That deserves a whole BG post.
I’ve been watching this for days…
me too. beats the shit out of pump pump pump air
WSL theme song
https://youtu.be/uUAB0epkMXs
Another band at their best! I saw this tour. Equal parts scared as fuck and joy.
In due time. It is absolutely disrespectful to demand to know the condition of someone who is in the hospital unless you are family. People should be able to be left the fuck alone when they are in these types of situations. In reality what are you gunna do with the info? Nothing…it’s only to satiate your morbid curiosity
There’s just no news. It’s the same as when story first broke, unfortunately.
This really should be left alone until the parties involved make a statement. Digging or waiting for hearsay is disrespectful in my opinion. Imagine yourself or a family member in this position and it becomes clear how it should be handled. At some point the family will make a statement and then we can discuss and reflect on the situation.
Its a fucking conundrum now – JP summed it all up
1) Did you go Elo hard enough – probs not – could you have without getting it shut down – “thanks for your time Elo has to go” – so prob not
2) After everyone here calling you out – like it or not BG on the radar now – someone in WSL be checking all the time if not Elo himself – actually I am sure Elo will be
3) Will you get a chance for the long game – I don’t think so at least not with a personal sit down again!! Everything said done here will be scrutinised such that there will be no blindsiding of their model.
Think best we can hope is to tear shreds from sidelines still and call out shit decisions, judging etc
Beachgrit rebel tour is the only hope – keep our ideas ourselves. I will chip in coin
Oh there’ll be lots and lots of sit downs, stand ups ra-ra-ras. This is the beginning, not the end.
Ok I back ya but can you go in guns blazing without getting shown the door?? I think they can call the shots cause they think it is their model – they honestly think they invented the game!!
I will be the first to cheer and applaud if you get the long game
We’re not saving the world here.
It’s only jibber-jabber about aquatic poncing.
Don’t sweat it Chas.
Most of us are here trying to be anti-depressive. We don’t expect you to change the WSL via one interview.
Negatron, Can we get rid of the “ultra hard surf candy” and replace it with “jibber jabber about aquatic poncing??” … amazing
Negs coined the phrase ‘aquatic poncing’.
(Tips hat)