An unflattering portrait.

But when you imagine California surfers, such as me and Devon Howard, is the very first phrase that springs to mind “hyper-masculine?” What about just “masculine?” I tend to think of us as “gently-feminine” but must be in the small minority and/or deluded as it was just revealed in a new, shocking report that California surfing has a racism problem – not to mention issues with sexism and homophobia.

In the piece “Don’t look now, but California surfing apparently has a racism problem – not to mention issues with sexism and homophobia” published by one-time conservative darling Glenn Beck’s The Blaze, the writer explores how people of color, women and those of varying non-cisgender sexual orientations are routinely kept out of the water, exposed to infamous “territorial aggression” and battered with a “hyper-masculine energy” as straight, white men blindly succumb to our “obsession with dominating the waves.”

Not a pretty picture at all.

But in this age of “listening” and “seeing” etc. what can we California surfers do better?

The piece does not provide any clues.

Do you have any ideas?

Should we throw an inclusive party?

Stop surfing?

Maybe you could stop surfing and I’ll just work on being extra nice in the water, closeting my obsession with dominating the waves.

More as the story develops.

The director of Maine's Department of Marine Resources urges swimmers, surfers and other ocean goers to be aware of their surroundings and to "avoid schools of fish or seals."

Tragedy struck, yesterday, off Maine’s rugged coast when a Great White hit led to the state’s first ever shark attack fatality. The victim, identified as 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach from New York City died from her injuries after being helped to shore by two kayakers who witnessed the attack.

Jeff Cooper, a kayak tour operator in the area, told the Associated Press, “They happened to be right there at the scene. They were courageous enough to jump in and retrieve the victim.”

Holowach had been swimming 20 yards off the western shore of Bailey Island when the attack occurred and pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials were able to confirm that the shark had been a Great White based on evidence from the Maine patrol and the medical examiners office. The last attack that took place in the state happened over ten years ago but did not involve a Great White.

Cape Cod, two hundred miles to the south, has seen such an increase in Great White activity in the last few years that officials warned this could be a “Summer of Blood.” Beaches have been closed, regularly, and swimmers warned of the dangers.

The director of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources urged swimmers, surfers and other ocean goers to be aware of their surroundings and to “avoid schools of fish or seals, which attract sharks.”

Bigger trouble in Little Salzburg.

Two weeks ago, an eternity in our Covid era, you read here that Austrian-owned Red Bull, the world’s largest energy drink maker, dipped a toe into extremely hot water by firing top North American executives.

CEO Stefan Kozak and President/CMO Amy Taylor were dismissed after leaked memos dated from June 1 detailed employee frustration and criticism regarding Red Bull’s “public silence” on Black Lives Matter.

Employees declared the move was retaliatory as both executives were popular.

The story remained shockingly dormant with only Business Insider and your BeachGrit covering… until today with Forbes jumping into the ring, examining both the claims and possible penalties facing Red Bull.

According to the business magazine:

The firings came just weeks after employees leaked an internal letter addressed to Kozak and Taylor and signed by over 300 employees in which Red Bull leadership was criticized for what the employees called its “public silence” on the Black Lives Matter movement.

“As we scroll through social media feeds filled with brands making posts in solidarity, donating to worthy causes, and committing to looking inward to tackle racism, we wonder when we will be able to feel proud that our company is taking those same steps,” the June 1 letter said.

The following day, on June 2, Red Bull posted a #BlackoutTuesday image to its Instagram profile, which boasts 13.2 million followers. The brand’s next Instagram post came four weeks later, on June 29, to announce its fundraising support for the 1 Planet One People initiative, which was co-founded by sports commentator and surfer Selema Masekela and aims to support racial and social equality.

“For the first time ever in my life, no one can hide from this question of inequality and race in America,” Masekela is quoted in the post. “If you have a platform it’s time to start using it for a higher purpose.”

Masekela’s 1 Planet One People has as its goal, “for people to use the hashtag #1PlanetPeople in hopes to create a community that supports climate action, racial and social equality.”

The organization is unrelated to One Planet One People.

According to Business Insider, Kozack and Taylor had reportedly been working on a truly robust diversity program at Red Bull but received “pushback” from Austria.

The shortcomings in directly addressing the issues roiling America, and much of the world, allegedly frustrated employees, who leaked the internal memos that lead to the firings.

Forbes detailed the possible trouble that Red Bull could find itself in, including civil penalties that fall under anti-discrimination laws.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits U.S. businesses from retaliating against employees for opposing discriminatory employment practices. Generally, to prevail on a retaliation claim in court, a plaintiff must prove that an individual engaged in a “protected activity” that served as the basis for a materially adverse employment action, such as a termination, a demotion or a reduction in pay.

Red Bull’s company board responded to Forbes via email, “We reject racism in every form, we always have, and we always will. Red Bull has always put people and their dreams and accomplishments at its core and values the contribution of each and every person — no matter who they are. We want everyone who feels this way to be welcome in Red Bull.”

More as the story develops.