Many huzzahs.

Torquay’s Rip Curl made history, days ago, by appointing Brooke Ferris as the new CEO, making her the second woman in history to occupy the corner office of a heritage surf brand. She will be replacing outgoing CEO Michael Daly, who is sliding over to become CEO of Rip Curl’s parent company Kathmandu Holdings.

In a statement, Daly said, “After a thorough search process, involving both internal and external potential candidates, I am delighted to announce that Brooke Farris will be the new CEO of Rip Curl. Brooke has contributed greatly to Rip Curl’s success and growth over the past 11 years with her indisputable commitment to the brand, our product, and our crew. I am confident she will bring this same commitment and leadership in her new role. Congratulations Brooke.”

Farris added, “Rip Curl has been threaded throughout my life since I was a teen. I’m honoured to be announced as the new CEO. It’s an absolute privilege to lead our talented and passionate crew across the world and I’m motivated to build on our esteemed 52 year history and capitalise on our continued market success.”

And much “bravos,” many “huzzahs” all around.

I remember having enjoyable conversations, years ago, with Farris at various Rip Curl sponsored professional surfing competitions. At the time I imagined myself to be thoroughly winning and charming though, looking back, it is more than likely that I was over-confident and lightly boorish. It always surprised me that she would speak with me due my run-ins with various Rip Curl stars including, but not limited to, Mick Fanning and Neil Ridgway. Displaying the sort of steel spine, poker face, that makes for an excellent leader, I suppose.

If I had money in the stock game, I would divest from Laird Superfood and go all in on Kathmandu.

A smart bet.

"Don’t let anyone get you down or keep you from achieving your goals!"

And this is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end. With the cancelation of the Ok Pro Teahupo’o, we now have our official final five who will each be invited to the first-ever championship day, at Lower Trestles, wherein they fill fight to the death.*

On the women’s side we have: 1) Carissa Moore 2) Tatiana Weston-Webb 3) Sally Fitzgibbons 4) Stephanie Gilmore 5) Johanne Defay.

For the men: 1) Gabriel Medina 2) Italo Ferreira 3) Filipe Toledo 4) Conner Coffin 5) Morgan Cibilic.

Coffin’s run into the draw is particularly inspiring especially for the hardworking, under appreciated, work-a-day folk. A light blue collar hero like Bruce Springsteen before him but premium surf magazine Stab, still buckled under woke pressure, was frustrated by the turn, writing, “Connor Coffin fell short to Leo in the quarters but managed to smash his acoustic guitar into the back of Griffin Colapinto’s head. Connor got enough points this comp to take Griffin’s spot at Trestles, stripping him of the opportunity to win a world title at home. I’d love to share my feelings on this, but this less than appropriate YouTube comment does enough: ‘Connor winning lowers would be like a white guy dunking in the NBA.'”

Condemnation was swift with Coffin, long a BeachGrit favorite (listen here), taking to Instagram and writing,”Stab, thanks for your continued ‘premium’ journalism, you could spell my name right. It pissed me off for a few minutes, but then I thought about all of the times people have doubted me, said I wasn’t good enough, said I can’t do something that I wanted to do and how I’ve always channeled it and combined that with passion, hard work, and love to accomplish my goals. In posting this, I hope it encourages you guys to use negativity and spin it into a positive and don’t let anyone get you down or keep you from achieving your goals! Also, I’ve known @griffin_cola since he was a kid and I’m always happy to see people I know do well in life!!!!”

Jimmy Wilson added, “Most NBA players can dunk regardless of ethnicity. That’s just a dumb reference. You and Morgan both earned your way to Lowers.”

Fioravanti, who beat Coffin in the quarters at Barra de La Cruz, weighed in, “Great post bro. You work hard and deserve being there as much as anyone! Keep it up,” thereby opening a deluge of professional surfer support.

Jack Freestone: Powerful words. Fuel to your fire brother. Can’t wait to watch you go mad in the event.

Conner’s brother Parker Coffin: MVP OF THE LEAGUE WAS WHITE LAST YEAR! nobody deserves to be more than you… fuel the fire with it !!!! LETS GO!!!!!

Lakey Peterson: Smash em at lowers Con!!

Seth Moniz: Most deserved brother! Fuel the fire and prove them wrong once again

Sage Erickson: You deserve that spot 100% best rail game on tour by far.

Johanne Defay: So pretty to turn that into good words! Gréât Spirit, amazing surfer !! #letsgo

Joe Turpel: Proud of you Conner!!!

Etc.

Stab, with a mission of being accepted by, and allowed to tag along with, professional surfers is certainly tucked under its warm down comforter, spooning Rocky Road ice cream directly from tub to mouth while hot tears stream down red cheeks.

Sad.

*Achieving points by pleasing judges with a series of turns punctuated by an air reverse.

"If they can't control it they're going to be cut off."

Covid-19 restrictions are, officially, back in vogue with whole countries going back under lock and key in order to stop the spread of the virus birthed in China. The Ok Pro, Teahupoo, cancelled, leaving Charles de Gaulle without a PCR test, not allowed, being maskless in Los Angeles, uncool.

Controls and constraints here and there and everywhere being obeyed to the letter… except for Australia’s New South Wales, which has infuriated its neighboring states, becoming a “pariah” even, with its “arrogance.”

As cases rise in NSW, health minister Brad Hazard is lashing out at men and women outside playing, saying, “What worries me is no matter what legal orders or requirements are in place, you can’t legislate against stupidity, arrogance and entitlement. Clearly, the rule is now that you shouldn’t just travel from house to another for the sake of moving to the other house. Choose the property you are living in and stay there.”

One image, in particular, is roiling Victoria, Queensland, South Australia etc. A fit, clearly handsome man wearing full, black neoprene and holding a progressive pink and blue surfboard is leaning in, hugging another man whose face reflects not a care in the world.

Proximity, as you certainly know, is extremely forbidden.

The most verboten, in fact.

The Daily Telegraph splashed the photo on its pages, full color, under the headline ‘Arrogant’ NSW becomes Australia’s pariah state.

Upon closer inspection, the “arrogant pariah” surfer is none other than BeachGrit principal Derek Rielly.

A fine collection of descriptors to add alongside “bad dog” and “irreverent online publication.”

Viva anti-depression.