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Question: Do you watch professional surfing to see someone win or see someone lose?

Do you crave the agony of defeat or the thrill of victory?

I took a few hours out of my busy day yesterday to watch professional surfing. You were there too, I think, watching with me, watching John Duru versus John Florence (pronunciation Luke Egan’s) and what did you think of that heat? Impressed? Infuriated?

More curiously, for whom were you cheering?

John (Duru) or John (Florence)?

Most curiously, though, why were you cheering?

Were you cheering for John (either) to win or to lose?

I’ll be honest with you here. I was cheering for John (Florence) to lose but why? I think he is a fine champion, very much enjoy the way he surfs and hope that when the season swings to Pipeline he is neck and neck with Filipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina for the crown but yesterday against John (Duru) I was quietly pumping my fist while those around me groaned.

Now, it is rude to admit so what was my problem? I sat and thought about what my problem was and first settled upon my upbringing. My father would always cheer for the underdog every time and I followed right along there. Cheering for the hard-luck kids/teams but that wasn’t what was happening yesterday. I wasn’t cheering for John (Duru) to win. I was cheering for John (Florence) to lose.

After more consideration, I concluded that I’m a bad seed. Rude. Incorrigible. Unlovable and it would serve society if I was lobotomized. I enjoy watching the agony of defeat more than I enjoy watching the thrill of victory but what about you?

Where do you stand on this important issue?

Can you share with the group?

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Lemon Next to the Pie

Well that’s just convenient geography. Just like all your former countrymen over here who are happy to take advantage of our citizenship in every way, except for supporting the Wallabies. Which is completely understandable.

James Bickerton

I am assuming the Black Swedish guy is Henrik Larsson . He was an absolute dreadlocked genius at Celtic , and almost single handily won the Champions League for Barcelona the year he played for them in the final !

Ed

I think its stupid when persons whinge for ages about the whiteman surf league than gobble cock each time a bloke posts up the result.

Via fb….20000 k away😕

( cause u gotta keep it in the white middle man loop….can’t have brown people talking about a contest at there home break and getting paid for it? )

Maybe we all just wants a wsl coffee cup for Christmas like chad got too shtfu?

I hate coffee. Terrible drug

U either love it or hate it.

Obvious this site takes it both ways too earn a $

Joe Dirt

Facebook Stream Suks

Lemon Next to the Pie

Canterbury?

slaters foot

I think its stupid for people to get on their high horses and say that they only wish for people to win. The best moments in all sports are built off bitter rivalries. You can hope for a competitive match but in the end you’re missing out on half of the watching experience if you don’t root for people to lose

Zach Makki

No it’s just called not being a loser. Not a hard concept to get, your hoping a grown man you’ve most likely never met loses a game.

slaters foot

then I guess according to you that I am a loser! Have fun not caring about potentially entertaining match ups while you jerk off to your moral high ground

Dogsnuts

And just when I could see myself doing some work….a restart. I’ve sat here and done almost completely fuck all, the shop has taken $644 and my betting account is at $120 in the clear.

Dogsnuts

This glitchy audio is not helping Egan’s stroke like affected delivery at all.

Mitchell Kirby

One word: Jaddy

Keith Grace

glad Gabe went down… bummed to see John-John fall… very concerned for Julian in the next round…hope the GOAT keeps it going…

Smurfaholic

JJ’s not a hot head like J-Flo. I say that was his fit. Didn’t like the loss, but enjoyed the few drips of humanity in the interview after.

Zach Makki

Anyone who watches anything to see someone or a whole team lose is a loser.

Party Pete

I like when Gabi loses

Wayne Lunch

Its sad but I do extrapolate great joys from some people and teams losing. I love it when Gabby loses and I love it when Collingwood (Aussie AFL team for the Seppos) loose.

Matt Warshaw

You guys are too young to remember, but the original Bad Seed movie was terrifying. But righteous at the end. In other words, very Chas!

Chief Hot stuff

He’s too rich to care
And he’s in love.

Arn Anderson

My favorite NFL team is whoever happens to be playing the 49ers on that particular Sunday. I want Justin Verlander to get lit up overtime he starts on the mound (but mostly cuz he’s married to Kate Upton).

And I want Medina to land on his weiner everytime he surfs pipeline. I’m with you Chas.

Shampoo Poo

I put Duru on my fantasy team. I win!

C4cereal

Obvious statement, but many times, it seems JJF does not care about contest surfing at all. His amazing talent is inarguable though and when he is on he is mind blowing to watch. However, watching a guy like JJF get taken down by a journeyman who is punching as hard as he possibly can is very satisfying. I don’t understand people who get their panties in a twist about it at all. A grown man getting defensive and defending the honor of a surfer who is so good that he doesn’t need to try half the time is not a good look. The word sniveling comes to mind.

Tomas' silky smooth arms

Schadenfreude all the way.

Smurfaholic

Chas… think you mentioned the game with the bouncy ball in Oregon last night. Trailblazers fan? Either way, how did you enjoy that outcome? Dig in.

I was for JJ. I envy how his abilities are framed by apparent effortlessness. His aesthetic is most pleasing.
When one’s effort is the most prominent feature of their performance, it’s off putting and I lose appreciation. Makes it pure sport, devoid of style or expression.

Chas Smith

I got very angry at the beginning of the 3rd quarter, knowing that the Jail Blazers were gonna fall.

Smurfaholic

Ahh… we’re all pendulums, aren’t we.

Nick Carroll

I watch individual sports for the wins and team sports for the losses.

Something about team sports brings out my inner Fuckwit.

Lemon Next to the Pie

One team I would pay to see lose over and over is the English Rugby Union team. And Collingwood, and any team that Paul Gallen is in. And any team that Phil Gould had anything to do with. I guess I’m not good at counting.

James Bickerton

The last World Rugby Cup was very satisfying seeing the English 15 go down to Wales and Oz and bow out of the tournament before the 1/4s . Swing low sweet chariot ….

Wayne Lunch

Yes, Collingwood losses are some of my greatest memories.

Lemon Next to the Pie

I guarantee this will make you smile then, if not guffaw aloud. Went to uni with a rabid Collingwood supporter when Lions were on their 3-peat roll. He caught a Brisbane supporters bus to the 2002 GF and back. Said losing the GF wasn’t as bad as having to hear the Lion’s song every 5 minutes on the way back from Melbourne to Brisbane.

Then did it again the next year. “We are the pride of Brizzz-bane town…”

Lemon Next to the Pie

I guarantee this will make you smile then, if not guffaw aloud. Went to uni with a rabid Collingwood supporter when Lions were on their 3-peat roll. He caught a Brisbane supporters bus to the 2002 GF and back. Said losing the GF wasn’t as bad as having to hear the Lion’s song every 5 minutes on the way back from Melbourne to Brisbane.

Then did it again the next year.

Wayne Lunch

More than a smile, a vision that will live with me forever, a moment to reflect upon when joy and cheer is needed. So good for the soul, thank you.

Lemon Next to the Pie

Oh yes. In these dark days of Collingwood competence, it gives a little pleasure. Also, Titus O’Reily helps point out the absurdity of AFL season to season.

grumpy local

Deadly accurate


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