A more innocent time, before Kolohe-mania.
A more innocent time, before Kolohe-mania.

Fame: Kolohe Andino may never be able to walk anonymously in public again!

Kolohe-mania!

With the Olympics still one year away, weird talk is reaching a fever pitch. As you well know, surfing, skateboarding, breakdancing and rock climbing will be included for the first time in history. Surfing has also made it onto the Paris 2024 ticket and looks a good bet for Los Angeles 2028 too.

Opinions differ on how our Pastime of Kings will be affected.

There is the sensible conclusion that absolutely nothing will change. That people in Idaho Falls and Sofia, Bulgaria may accidentally catch some hot two-foot wiggle action then wonder when competitive kayaking is on.

And there is the wildly optimistic conclusion that all surfing ever needed was the Olympic stage in order to rocket into the public’s heart, turning Kolohe Andino into an international megastar overnight and let us turn to the Los Angeles Times for more.

Kolohe Andino is currently the top-ranked surfer in the world, yet early Tuesday morning he roamed the Huntington Beach Pier without fanfare or autograph seekers, as though he was just a regular dude.

His relative anonymity, however, may be short-lived, considering one year from now, the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan will include surfing for the first time.

Though Andino and other world-class surfers who are vying for Olympic spots are celebrities in the surfing world, the Olympics bring in a mainstream audience that is sure to change the way some surfers go about their daily lives. Simply strolling the pier, any pier, may never be the same.

Kolohe goes on to give a fine interview and I don’t think he’s delusional about his potential Q score but, my goodness, do people really do believe that the Olympics… the Olympics… is going change anything?

Do you think the World Surf League really believes?

Do you really believe?

Are you preparing for Kolohe-mania in case your wrong?

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Davis Lawson
Davis Lawson
7 years ago

#1 in the world with zero career victories to date.

IkeaMonkeySurfsBetterthanYou
IkeaMonkeySurfsBetterthanYou
7 years ago

Oh Brother, this is pointless. I’d rather watch Curling than watch surfing in the olympics on NBC.

Shampoo Poo
Shampoo Poo
7 years ago

Got fame?

John Wayne
John Wayne
7 years ago

He would not be the first to do a Bradbury. Olympics can bring fame in many ways

https://www.youtube.com/wat…

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  John Wayne

Like kolohe he was in the right place at the right time when superior athletes crashed and burned … ?

Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
7 years ago

That’s how Rick Kane did it

Karl Myers
Karl Myers
7 years ago

Maybe once Kolohe is in the Olympics, the WSL judges will stop underscoring him in heats? Even though Kolohe is in first now in the ratings, if he had been scored fairly this year he would be in first by a much higher margin. Gabriel will be hard to stop in Tahiti and Pipe.

SDRW
SDRW
7 years ago

yeah not sure those two things are mutually exclusive.

Another uneducated opinion
Another uneducated opinion
7 years ago

What a shit statement, pull ya head in.

Heysoos
Heysoos
7 years ago

surfing is fine and dandy but you’ll find me pants free on the couch watching the womens synchronised swimming.

Christian S. Molnar
Christian S. Molnar
7 years ago

Correction, last in line will always be ADS.

Munga's Berries
Munga's Berries
7 years ago

Whether we’re comparing championship years or the breadth of their CT careers, statistically, note that I said statistically counselor, Mineirinho is a far superior surfer to CJ.

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

My neighbors thought I was going straight to Catholic Hell after I saw Jesus Christ Superstar when I was 8 …

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago

If he can combine a silver medal and positive drug test then hell be golden

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

The sun yang also rises .

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago

Mourning wood

Phat-wan kerr
Phat-wan kerr
7 years ago

big deal. I have been wearing a yellow shirt for years with no hype around it.

Otto
Otto
7 years ago
Reply to  Phat-wan kerr

Profess and all wanker spawn sirs?

Dick Simmons
Dick Simmons
7 years ago

He was fucked from the start with that gay ass nickname. Kole Andino would have a win by now.

Sea Of Seven
Sea Of Seven
7 years ago

Breakfast of champions – worked for KS in B&W
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…

Hippy
Hippy
7 years ago

Kolohe was a more electric surfer at the age of this photo.

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Hippy

Somewhere along the path leaving Billabong , he went from being the next Andy Irons , to playing the journey man , Forrest Gump at Nike

https://www.google.de/searc…

https://youtu.be/foa3k-FJepo

davidcarson
davidcarson
7 years ago

yup.

resumes.mvlhawaii@gmail.com
7 years ago

Cope or get out!! Tastiest lip sauce.

Greebnurt Hurkurmurgurt
Greebnurt Hurkurmurgurt
7 years ago

Where u been resumes? You always had funny shit to say, and then it went silent for a long time. Are you still on Kaua’i?

Karl Von Fanningstadt
Karl Von Fanningstadt
7 years ago

Kolohe might have to, you know, actually win something before he can fully cash in on his commercial appeal (a portfolio including Surge, Remington, Pop Tarts, Mouth Breathing, and Skoal).

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

I blame his ……. Accountant ? I can just see them sitting down in the Luxurious Le Corbusier Arm Chairs , smoking Cuban cigars and drinking fine Cognac and then Thurston Von Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler says “ Brother , you know , if you win a CT event , it will push your yearly earnings up into the next TAX BRACKET ……. “

Otto
Otto
7 years ago

A Count Ant, aka Linguamyrmex vladi, aka accountant.
https://images.newscientist…

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Otto

Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains ( including , the former Child Prodigy’s pre CT winning record ) .

Katherine
Katherine
7 years ago

maybe I’m cynical, but the best part about being a surfing fan is that these guys can walk around and iteract with the community without body guards, and autographers, and paparazzi and everything that would make it all feel so out of reach. Our favorite surfers are all somewhat relatable and accessible. I’d just keel over and die if volcom had to stop doing their happy our tour because of that shit, or if surf brands had to start charging $50 to attend their movie premieres, no party not held at a fun venue, and then charge you another 50 for a 2 second “meet and greet” behind a roped off area where they sign some swag take a picture with you and you’re sent on your way. My hopes are that surfing turns into one of those peripheral olympic sports that not too many people watch and we can kind of keep it to ourselves with some added profits to be able to have the money to produce cooler shit. A girl can dream

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Katherine

Oh Katherine, beware of Pro Surfing’s Wuthering Heights and Extreme Lows ….

Mino
Mino
7 years ago

the truth is, barring tennis and soccer (both of which the olympics is no biggie anyway), olympic athletes do not have that sort of celebrity status… the olympics doesn’t bring fame. although 4 years is a long time and a lot has changed in terms of instagram etc which may catapult olympic athletes into fame….

janeausten
janeausten
7 years ago
Reply to  Mino

In Australia the Olympics does bring massive fame. I always presumed it was the same everywhere.

Mino
Mino
7 years ago
Reply to  janeausten

In SA it is a struggle for most athletes in general…in fairness, my perspective is probably skewed from my context as well

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Mino

Unlike Emily Brontë’s Characters ,Catherine and Heathcliff

Kate Bush singing their praises at a time when music videos were only seen on TV .

https://youtu.be/BW3gKKiTvjs

Nick Carroll
Nick Carroll
7 years ago
Reply to  Mino

Well I think that is not entirely true. The Olympics can blow up an individual athlete who goes ham at the right moment, or who focuses on it like a lunatic. It’s a modern trend that started with Nadia Comaneci in 1976 (“10!”) and continues today with people like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Shaun White. Often this individual success doesn’t really help the sport overall, like is snowboarding overall better for Shaun’s gold medals and mainstream fame? I don’t think so. But that Olympic podium, for a super driven athlete or someone who just captures the world’s attention even for 10minutes, can really blast people up into the stratosphere.

I kind of feel like surfing has already had its Superstar with Kelly but ya never know. The only thing you can really say right now about surfing in the Olympics is that we don’t know what the fuck it will do.

Mino
Mino
7 years ago
Reply to  Nick Carroll

yes, there are a few examples of athletes who have been catapulted into fame by the olympics. but, these athletes, barring shaun white, are from sports such gymnastics, athletics and swimming, which are, according to some sources the most watched sports at the olympics. Most of the gold medalists do not achieve such fame.

where surfing will fit between archery and athletics, we do not know. at the end of the day it still all comes down to viewership and we all know what a challenge the competitive surfing format is to viewership numbers, especially in summer beach break dribble.

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

If the combined financial investment of Nike , Hurley and Redbull , for near on a decade has not convinced his Target audience to love him then For Christ Sake II …. I fear all is LOST …..And with or without the Olympic Rings all is headed to ….. Mayhem in (D)HD …

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
7 years ago

Well played. Commenting should be included as an Olympic sport.

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

I am so looking forward to TOKYO 2020 and the Inclusion of S.U.P. …. No , not Stand Up Piddling or Paddling , THE BIG ONE … DER HAMMER … STAND UP PHILOSOPHY !

https://youtu.be/IgoB2JMEowc

Otto
Otto
7 years ago
James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Otto

There ain’t no trash like WHITE TRASH ….

Otto
Otto
7 years ago

That was 2nd choice for company name behind OuterKnown.

Audit In Progress
Audit In Progress
7 years ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

And the Nation of Beach Grit sweeps the podium!

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

I ain’t got no broom Audit I P ! Do ya think I could just give it a bit of spit and polish …..

Audit In Progress
Audit In Progress
7 years ago

I’d expect nothing less!

Bleach'd Git
Bleach'd Git
7 years ago

Nah, it would be won by “Like if ur listening in 2020”, followed closely by “23 years ago I lost my soul mate, an obese three-legged cockapoo called McMuffin. Every time I hear this song it reminds me of all the moments we shared”.

The judges wouldn’t reward Bicko’s literary puns or our radical maneuvers with “cunt”.

Phat-wan kerr
Phat-wan kerr
7 years ago
Reply to  Bleach'd Git

perhaps participation medals should be implemented.

Mads Naeraa
Mads Naeraa
7 years ago

A fertile mind – I think…

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Mads Naeraa

COGNITO , ERGO SUM stuck at home alone with the kids Shuffling Descartes ….?

I think , therefore I spAM

https://youtu.be/zLih-WQwBSc

Mads Naeraa
Mads Naeraa
7 years ago

Whether Eule(r) be shuffling Descartes depends entirely on your frame of reference!

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Mads Naeraa

The Maths Debate ….

Mads Naeraa
Mads Naeraa
7 years ago

It goes on – the eternal back and forth!

Otto
Otto
7 years ago
Reply to  Mads Naeraa

Back and Forth debate, is surfing an urban sport? The IOC believes so. Four sports package not for the variety, but because they are urban, youth and inclusive.
https://youtu.be/Q6HnapNzC3c

NEGATRON
NEGATRON
7 years ago
Reply to  Otto

Holy shit!!!! I thought Chas was joking about Breakdancing!!!!

Antipodes
Antipodes
7 years ago
Reply to  NEGATRON

Surely its as legit a selection as surfing? I’m picking e-sports (aka video game playing) will be included in the games sometime soon as the yoof audience is massive.

Otto
Otto
7 years ago

Algae brah – Wave Pool Maths Debatement

Dogsnuts
Dogsnuts
7 years ago

So after all of this did anyone confirm or deny if Botherer is a Trumpite?

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  Dogsnuts

I couldn’t get over the wall to find out … ?

Dogsnuts
Dogsnuts
7 years ago

He seems to have found god so I’m assuming he is a hypocritical right winger. If I cruise past him during the French leg I’ll give him a “fuck Trump” and judge his reaction.


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