The second big name to fall.

San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino (26) has officially withdrawn from the Australian leg of the World Surf League Championship Tour citing a high ankle sprain. In a message to fans, he wrote:

Sorry to have to message this today, but I’m officially withdrawing from the four-event Australian leg of the WSL Championship Tour.

While training in Hawaii during the February Valentine’s Day swell, I suffered a high ankle sprain that I had hoped would heal in time for the next CT event. I came to Oz to Quarantine and see if it would be better in time for Newcastle or even Narrabeen.

Unfortunately, in the first few days of testing after Quarantine, I re-injured it, and, after consulting with my doctors in the US, I’ve made the decision to withdraw and get ready for the post-Australia events.

It’s a hard one to deal with, but I appreciate everyone’s support and I’ll look to get back in the water as soon as possible. Good luck to everyone competing in Australia. I’ll be watching.

Andino recently sharply criticized the new format of the World Tour, which will likely see the 5th place surfer crowned champion at 2 -3 foot Lower Trestles at the end of the year.

He joins Kelly Slater, who also pulled out due 4-year-old foot injury, and will be replaced by Matt Banting.

No word, as of yet, if Andino and Slater are planning a rebel tour.

More as the story develops.

When will this cultural sickness end?

Earlier today, it was revealed that premium surf magazine Stab had unleashed an expletive-laced invective on small but wonderful bodyboard website Infoamed after it dared challenge a supposition that those standing on surfboards had the right to drop in on those laying down.

A classic bullying move much discussed, and frowned upon, in our modern times but also historically.

Nobody likes a bully.

The world’s largest surf blog, BeachGrit, deeply feeling the injustice, interjected, daring Stab to fight as near its weight class as possible.

Difficult to be in weight class as Stab appears to enjoy many California burritos.

Much plate lunch.

Stab’s response?

Silence.

Utter quiet across multiple platforms.

The classic bullying move, to attempt harm on the littles then cowering when called out.

But when will this cultural sickness end?

Tomorrow, BeachGrit begins training in the anti-bullying art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Police on standby.

More as the story develops.

Tantrum time.

Earlier this morning, premium surf magazine Stab became extremely agitated and let fly a barrage of venomous insults toward a plucky bodyboard website.

The troubles began when Infoamed published an article challenging a recent Stab caption in which dropping in on bodyboarders was encouraged. Per the piece:

In lineups of consequence, you will generally find a complete mutual respect between surfers and bodyboarders, and a vast majority of the professional surfing community (those that are any good), respect the bodyboarding community. Why? Because surfing actually owes a lot to the bodyboarding community.

Let’s not forget the amount of big wave discoveries that were championed by bodyboarders, or pushing the limits of what is considered rideable or paddleable. Not to mention aerial surfing actually owes a lot to the progressive bodyboarding days of the 1990s and early 2000s. 

I believe peaceful action is required by both the bodyboarding and surfing community to stamp out these forms of discrimination. If you see it, please call it out for what it is.

It was then posted for its 1,800 Instagram followers to enjoy.

Stab, incensed, quickly responded, animosity boiling over, “We couldn’t give a flying fuck about what you ride. Sure, some waves are more boog friendly than others but you’re still the only folk to paddle The Right. Respect. We started in the same fucking office as the Movement legends. This is a non-story, boys.” Then added, “Honolua Bay is one of the world’s easiest roll-ins. No place for the software.”

At this time, it is still unclear why the one-time Venice-adjacent publication became so enraged so quickly, or why it was loitering on a small bodyboard account, and it would be unethical to speculate.

Police are on standby, waiting for the call from Stab that it has been assaulted.

More as the story develops.

Three words: Pacific Systems Homes.

The other day, I just so happened to be walking past the living room bookshelf when a title caught my eye. Six by Seuss. I hadn’t noticed it before, slid it from its place, wondering what the “six” were. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Horton Hatches the Egg, The Lorax, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street.

A chill ran up my spine.

Hadn’t Mulberry Street just been cancelled? It certainly had and for racist depictions, I believe.

I raced to the window, making sure no progressives were in the bushes, observing me with their all-seeing third eyes, then went to the computer to see how much Mulberry Street is currently fetching on the open market.

$850.

A hushed whistle escaped my lips.

Not that I would ever profit off anything tawdry but you can for in a very short few weeks, for then the California Gold Surf Auction and let us read the press release together.

An exciting array of unique, rare surfboards and memorabilia are on the auction block. The California Gold Surf Auction theme is “Guns, Wood and More…”. Prime elephant guns by Dick Brewer, Mike Diffenderfer, and Greg Noll lead the way. Jaw-dropping wood, including boards by Richard Gomez, Barry Kanaiaupuni, and Pacific Systems Homes, highlight the wood category. The auction offers something for every serious board collector including a Greenough Edge Board, Paipos and a selection of small Waikiki Rotary Club boards. All bidding takes place online. On April 16th at 5pm PST the California Gold Surf Auction lots begin closing and lots close every two minutes.

Exciting is right but do you know what those Pacific Systems Homes surfboards were called?

Swastikas.

Bid low, re-sell high.

You’re welcome.