"Is it possible to ban someone for their ideas and opinions? Isn’t freedom of ideas and opinions, especially those that are outside the box, isn’t that what the Beachgrit forum is all about?"
(Editor’s note: Six days ago, the writer Matt George proposed a two-day, million-dollar winner-take-all surfing contest, and which was warmly received by readers. Mostly. Below, Matt responds to various criticisms.)
The readers have spoken…and many are correct.
Some great ideas here regarding this new contest concept based on the ancient Polynesian format. The comments were a valuable forum when it comes to the idea of creating an alternative to the current format of professional surf contests rather than just criticizing them.
I respect the forum Beachgrit provides and continue the discussion below. My answers are in bold.
Sunova Surfboards N.Z.
putting it perfectly ..
“In order to heal the pain a great many of us feel regarding the WSL’s
hijacking and re-branding of the professional aspect of our sport as a
soulless pansy fest, please consider the following:”
MG: Thank you.
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M.
Okay I admit it, I’m confused. Is this supposed to be a joke?
MG: No.
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paulo de tarso
The Global World Soul Surfing Championship Cup… the perfect name
We can revive Rasta, Donova Frakenroiter.. reiter, raiter… whatever… with his sensationals belly-carving and belly-ass cut back…
Finally May Son Ho and Bruh C. A. Rooms wiil have their chance!
Oh… and Day Ane Ray Nolds! I can’t help losing this championship!
MG: I agree. First come first serve. And you are correct about the name of the event. That was my mistake. It must change. See my point below regarding event name change. (“Italo post heat” comment).
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in tubo veritas
So we aren’t able to watch clips longer than 30 seconds but we are going to pay attention to two complete days of surfing..
MG: I agree. You are right. Too long. Ok, here’s an idea: We create a 45 minute film of the event instead. Broadcast friendly. And drop it on sports television stations at first, then social media, etc.
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Bubba Zanetti • 4 days ago
Matt seems like a perfect fit for the Inertia.
MG: Thank you.
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Justin Housman
They kinda did this in golf with the Tiger v Phil thing and it was unwatchable.
MG: Yes, I get your point, but that was Golf. We create this thing and present it to the public as a true showcase of great surfing and its spirit which is rooted in ancient Polynesian tradition. Plus, that Tiger thing was man on man. We have ten different surfers, ten different approaches. More to watch?
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David
Poker, but for surfing!
MG: Sure. Betting on ones own belief in ones own ability is an exciting concept. A whole new way to watch sports. With the players actually having their own skin in the game.
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Luke Egan’s Shoulder Fetish David • 3 days ago • edited
And with no money for the house! It is brilliant!
MG: Incorrect. Event Sponsors would be involved. TV Rights, etc. Money would be made for the house, money would be donated for the preservation of the surf spots, Money would be donated to clean up the Ocean.
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grumpy local • 4 days ago
Having one “master observer” determine the outcome is a fuckwit idea. What if he needs to take a shit and misses Owen get the barrel of the day? The WSL’s judging system (5 man panel, highest and lowest scores dropped) actually makes a lot of sense, it’s just the judges themselves that have the issue.
MG: Again, as a panacea to the WSL format, lets stick to the Polynesian format. Where a King would be the decider. We are trying to get away from a “Panel” . From “Averages” . From the WSL that Beachgrit is so adamantly against. I figure a guy like Tom Carroll or Mick Fanning or Gerry Lopez could handle the two days. If he took a break and missed a great ride, I would trust him to watch a replay.
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Chad Lebrone grumpy local • 3 days ago • edited
Have you ever watched the mum of an aspiring silver-spoon pro at a Junior event? They’ve proven time and time again that they are surfings infallible experts and demonstrated that a person does have the capability to sit, watch and critique for an entire day without stopping to eat or even piss.
MG: Yes. Correct. I have sat with both Tom Curren’s mom and Kelly’s Mom and done exactly the same. So it is possible to do. But it doesn’t need to be so grim. See answer above.
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Ricoimmo grumpy local • 3 days ago
the idea is solid just can’t be 1 person only.
I’d say 3, like in boxing.
no scoring every wave, just an ultimate – who won the day criteria.
i’d watch.
MG: I agree that the tendency to judge any athletic performance leans toward creating a panel. But in this case, and considering our disgruntled attitude toward the WSL model, this concept is designed to move away from anything familiar. And to maintain the Polynesian influence. Yes, the three man panel works nicely. Like the O’Neill Wave of the Winter. So again, this kind of judging works. So I agree with you. We could adapt and a three man panel could be considered. No points, just insights. Very possible.
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bex vidina • 4 days ago
Who won?
Goofy,white board?
MG: The prototype event? Tai Graham earned the win facing a very strong challenge from Chris Ward. (See link below for contest).
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Mark Mogga Sutton • 4 days ago
I’ve got a better one…a surfing version of Survivor (obviously called Surfivor!) 10 go into the jungle (grajagan) and instead of challenges they surf. The locals make the call on the winner each day who then gets immunity and then each night they all vote someone out…..it’s gold I tells ya!!!!!
MG: Love the name of your idea. I suggest you contact Mark Burnett, Executive producer of the Survivor series.
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Italo Post Heat Interview • 4 days ago
How about upgrading the title to: ‘The International Global World Surfing Championship Cup’?
MG: You are correct that the name is wrong. I was going for Global in the spirit of the Japanese baseball players who scoff at the USA when Americans call our championship the World Series, when in fact it isn’t. But again, you are right. Let’s try a new name: The World Cup of Surfing?
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Franco_Franco_Perth
Throw in planet, worldwide and pole-to-pole.
MG: You are right. The name needs to change. See above.
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Claiming Meds • 4 days ago
I can already imagine the Brazzo backlash if the experienced master surfing observer is a white anglo-saxon and doesn’t select a Brazzo winner.
MG: I have found the Brazilian’s mostly gracious in both victory and defeat regardless of the nationality of the judges. The beauty of this new contest is that you lay your money down and take your chances regardless. And, as mentioned, sportsmanship will be considered in the final decision.
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Sandybeach
There are actually several things in pro surfing i dislike ahead of the whole Jack Robbo thing , i just cant think of them at the moment.
MG: Please respond when you can think of them.
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Derek Hynd’s Missing Fins • 4 days ago
When did Matt George become an “our?” After the last pish rant isn’t he permanently banned from the lineup?
MG: Did you mean “Piss” rant? And is it possible to ban someone for their ideas and opinions? Isn’t freedom of ideas and opinions, especially those that are outside the box, isn’t that what the Beachgrit forum is all about? Still, I would understand if you would care to ban me from the line-up for my opinions or say, the color of my skin or my spiritual beliefs. You have the right to your freedom of speech. That’s what an open forum is all about. And I would defend that.
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OttoBeenThere
Matt George, along with Sam Smith are now they. Not we, as in you and me, but they as in them. The Matt Georges and Sam Smiths of the world can’t be confined be the I’s, me’s or even we’s, but who are they to tell us what we, me and you, should think about them. Sam George is still him, he and his preferably title “it” guy, not themselves Matt Georges or Sam Smiths types. No, not them again.
MG: Please clarify?
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Derek Hynd’s Missing Fins
Sam lacks the balls to use longtom’s name, while Matt acts like he and longtom are board caddies for one another.
MG: Are personal attacks the best you can do when considering a new idea?
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Hippy
Desperate fucks needing a spotlight they only shined on themselves.
MG: See above.
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Dogsnuts • 4 days ago
Hmmm, fans crowd funding the surfer they want to win and also getting a slice of the prize might work, other than that fucking hell.
MG: Interesting. And something to be considered. But I still lean toward the surfer betting on himself to win. The inherent drama in someone having skin in the game. Of course each surfer could try the crowdfunding approach to raise his entry fee dough. And I do like your idea. Would have to look into the legalities here.
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Alec Eiffel • 4 days ago
There should be a Sam/Matt George award (I have no clue who’s who) for the biggest cop out in big waves. It can only be judged by Sam/Matt per his instructions.
MG: See “Derek Hynd’s Missing Fins” above. And I look forward to another round of insightful ideas and opinions regarding this new contest format designed to present surfing in a different light.
PROTOTYPE CONTEST CAN BE VIEWED HERE
Exactly, and the dried crunchy roach carcasses and roach poop mixed in with the rat turds gets up in your nostrils. Something that a surf would make your head more clean than a shower with soap and water ever could. I used get get a cold sometimes a day after crawling in an especially dirty area laying vinyl flooring in shitty apartments. Not a fun thing to do day after day. Thank god that’s in the past.
From the person who wrote for us about the epic coolness of a parking lot on a freeway exit in front of a mediocre surf spot in Central California…
And the first surf commentator at a contest!
Ancient Peruvian influence according to Chas. BUY HERE!
Yeah Billabong tried this about 30 years ago. I think Matt may have even written an article about it. Problem for Billabong was they had Cheyne Horan and Nicky Wood win it, and they were “not the winners we were looking for”. So they just gave up. I think Nick used the money to pay his tax bill.
We’d be all better off if we just reverted to the old world championships thing and hold a one off contest once a year. Sure the surf would be probably shit but no-one has worked out a way to avoid this in over 50 years. That’s why everyone dreams of a 16 man event with huge waiting period and then have it over and done with in 2 days. Great idea for surf but terrible for the audience and sponsors.
Like this format he proposes: a) you surrender to cynical capitalism right off the bat with the extractive entry fee b) you surrender any concept of live sport with all-day event–climactic live moments are only way a televised sport succeeds and c) you surrender the surf meritocracy, such that it is, with any 10 person, sort of ‘we know who the best surfers are already’ vibe. I call BS. Under such a system, does Italo Ferreira ever emerge to prominence? Kanao Igarashi? Seth Moniz? You need a proper league to have a sport–10 people is not a sport, it’s an exhibition.
Damn this guy seems like a D. White guy keeps droning on about ‘polynesian vibe maannn.’
Also the WSL may be annoying but we want to blow up the entire format? Babies and bathwater…etc. I personally don’t mind the format, more or less. ‘Radical’ proposals to improve, like this one, sound extremely childish and short-sighted to me.
I think the inerta is hiring. Maybe you consider tossing them an application
Not blaming them.
It’s much more fun reading the comments about the George twits than most things on here.
Far better than anything about the normal pro rubbish…
A week or so back there was a thing about Mason Ho on here which only got 6 (ish) comments, and one of those comments was basically saying how lame it/he is/was. That comment got more upvotes than total comments.
Whenever the George bros put shit to paper, the comment numbers explode.
Are we to presume that BG is encouraging their mindless twaddle (and even paying a bonus) to get more potential traffic for their advertisers and increase the BG income stream ?
Was that supposed to be entertaining? Unreadable.
Who is the other George bro?
Matt, just out of curiosity, can you name a location (any wave at all, don’t consider logistics, permits etc) and 10 guys who would potentially cough up (or who’s sponsors would cough up) a 100k to have a go? if 10 is bit tricky then 5 will do.
thanks in advance. Phat.
Devastating! A comeback for the ages!
My daughter screams one year old babble at this point but I’m sure soon she’ll be putting my meager intellect to shame.
Nega said it all. But Matt proves again how tone deaf the surf industry was in terms of the audience of their sales brochures.
Does this mean anyone can submit any article they want to?
https://youtu.be/y0ugnZfHHCE
Damn you for this upvote.
Well I’m still in as Grand Master Judge. Might require some level of payment too, which I didn’t mention last time – not to worry, we have time to work through the details.
Lyrics.