Accusations fly, conspiracies flower, as heartbroken professional surf fans attempt to make sense of Pipeline’s suspension: “Kelly Slater’s unorthodox board choices was the only thing keeping me from the blackest despair!”

The WSL is a lot more that 50 people. There’s ~50 athletes counting men & women. There’s probably another 50 people on the broadcast crew. Then there’s the site crew, security, judges, water safety, caterers, plus various other contractors (eg AV technicians, riggers, etc). Plus all the coaches, filmers, WAGs, and media folk who don’t really need to be there but are far too self-important to stay home.

Unlike other sports they don’t have the budget to isolate each of these parties from each other, or from outsiders, particularly given that they’re not working with typical stadium setups. For the NFL, as an example, it is easy for them charter a bus/plane to/from each destination, then stay in the hotel except to travel directly to the stadium and back. These stadiums are already setup for privacy and security (as well as broadcast coverage), so they are already isolated there. They also often have hotels right next door that cater to events at the stadium so the infastucture is already there.

Compare that to the North Shore where everyone has to try and get a (limited) private rental house or shared dorm room, everyone is coming from a different location so needs to arrange their own flights, everyone is going to the same half a dozen shops or food trucks, everyone is paddling out in the water together, and everyone is sharing the same groupies. And they don’t just do this for one day/night before returning home to their bubble, they have to maintain it for two-three weeks at a time and then navigate their way to some other equally challenging destination.

I’m not saying they haven’t screwed the kitten, just that it’s a whole different situation for them than what the NFL or AFL or NHL would have to deal with. I’m flabbergasted they even tried, and not at all surprised at the outcome given the obstructions.

ha ha it’s not really, the WSL has operated under a need to know screen since the beginning. They wouldn’t even cop to the owner’s name for a year and a half. Wouldn’t let anybody involved talk to any journalist about any of it. In the six years they’ve been operating, I think they’ve answered four of the hundreds of emails I’ve sent them, usually featuring easy, straightforward questions about basic aspects of the whole thing. You only find shit out via talkative surfers, third parties who have dealings with ’em, and occasional leaky conversations with various honchos. (To be fair, Pat’s always willing to have a chat.) Point being — it’s in their DNA to communicate as little as possible. And at a moment like this, it’s excruciating to witness.

perhaps they need to consider setting up the WSL as place of worship, probably get some ax incentives too.

fizzier if it doesn’t get approved

if yago was infected, check Ashton goggins, he would have been stalking him through the airport transfer.

I’m just glad this will keep sharks off the masthead for a week. Maybe.