Signs of life rattling within the swinging carcass,
faint though they may be.
Shhhh. D’you hear that?
Signs of life rattling within the swinging carcass, faint though
they may be.
WSL has today announced
an Australian Grand Slam, a novelty series consisting of two
speciality events for CT-rated AU surfers this southern-hemi
Spring.
One on the Goldy at South Straddie, the other for Margies in
West Oz.
Both two-day, broadcast-only ‘strike missions’ with a month-long
window. Chuck in a couple of local wildcards and a heritage heroes
heat for each. Prize winner’s money goes to a charity of their
choice.
It certainly ain’t revolutionary.
But it’s something.
What do you think?
Coupla things from me.
September and October’s not the best time of year for waves here
in Australia, particularly on the Gold Coast.
Spring = shit.
Long flat spells and cold onshore winds. The swells slow right
down and the tropical quadrants are yet to rise from their
slumber.
But, signs are pointing to a La Nina pattern this year on the
east coast at least, so who knows.
Secondly.
The announcement reeks of government stakeholders. The WSL
presser has extensive comments from the relevant state tourism
ministers, complete with lines spruiking economic benefits like
“Only the Paluzuk government has a plan for jobs.”
(You may also remember the
head of WA Tourism, one Brodie Carr. I’m sure I’ve heard that name
somewhere before…)
Ideally, this thing would have been announced a few months ago
to make the most of the winter swell window, but ya can be sure
working with two separate state governments to organise and
announce twin events like this, especially in a Covid world, is no
small feat.
There’s obviously been some extensive networking going on behind
the scenes.
Longtom’s mate Andrew Stark is, it would appear, getting shit
done.
E-Lo might wanna take note.
Finally.
Covid is not done with Australia yet. Not by a long shot.
Today we announced the largest number of new cases since the
pandemic began. Victoria’s copping the worst of it.
Queensland and WA are safe for now.
But, active cases are popping up here in my very own postcode,
which is also home to almost half of the Australian men’s CT
contingent.
Domestic travel restrictions, especially for those in known hot
spots, are already being enforced.
This Grand Slam format is still a victim of the same old
thinking when it comes to running a comp. A few tweaks around the
edges, sure, but overall it’s just as susceptible to the Covid
bogeyman as the regular tour.
The WSL will never have a better opportunity to throw the
handbook out the window and try for something new during this
period.
They sell themselves as innovative. Novel. Cutting edge
Is this really the best they got?
Handsomely curious surf fan seeking answers.
