Happy days are here again.
The fact that our World Surf League has stumbled, bumbled, fumbled onto hard times is no secret. Empty “stay tuned” screens fill the broadcast, its “studios” shuttered, tens of employees unceremoniously fired, sent out to Santa Monica’s streets to join other likeminded homeless.
Dark days.
But maybe, just maybe, there some light at the end of that tunnel? A new, exhaustive study that can be purchased here is declaring the “global surfing market” will explode to a mind-boggling $3.1 billion by the year 2026.
Per the abstract:
Surfing is a surface water sport wherein the participant moves along the face of a breaking ocean wave, also known as the `surf`, with the use of `board` as primary equipment. The primary factor driving growth is the push by surfing equipment makers, marketers and associations to make surfing much more approachable than it was in past years, as seen through the roll out of public surfing facilities and artificial reefs. Increased accessibility and affordability has drawn significant number of surfing participants and attracted wider demographic clusters in the recent years. The sport of surfing has also emerged a fashion and lifestyle trend. The growing focus on wellness and fitness is also leading to increased interest in surfing, as spas and wellness centers promote the sport as a fitness ritual. Surf tourism has contributed significantly to the demand for surfing equipment and apparel over the years. Surfing vacations hold tremendous potential and are likely to be a vital component of the global travel industry in the post COVID-19 period. The inclusion of surfing as a sporting event in the Olympics also has the potential to spur interest in the activity.
Some of this has to trickle up into co-Waterperson of the Year Dirk Ziff’s beleaguered pockets no? SVP of Tours and Head of Competition Jessi Miley-Dyer counting how many more stops at Trestles she can add, per year, with the windfall yes?
Happy days are here again.
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His feet went over his head
The WSL management is the perfect example of failing upward.
Well the WTF does anyone think prosurfing was created for its simply a marketing tool , like its not a surprise surely once a lifestyle becomes a sport then a proffesional sport, then enters the Olympic,s its the pinnical of marketing anyone that supports pro surfing simply supports businesses that feed of the carcass of orginal lifestyle, Dora new it so did Kanga once industry hijacked surfing you might as well get a feed of the carcass while ya can.
Tosh Tudor should be ashamed, that he cant control his oversized equipment period. He has almost as poor surf etiquette as his father .
“The sport of surfing has also emerged a fashion and lifestyle trend”
This use of ’emerged’ makes my back teeth ache and my fist itchy.
It will crack me up if Ziff just bails on Pro surfing and buys into one of the European football clubs that have lost there Russian owners.
You could hardly blame him could you?
$3.1 billion !!!
Going to need that to cover JMD’s meals card
I’m really glad you included this: “Surfing is a surface water sport wherein the participant moves along the face of a breaking ocean wave, also known as the `surf`, with the use of `board` as primary equipment.”
I’ve been coming here for fucking years waiting for some clarity on this.
It is so brutally honest, it’s almost comforting.
And by 2026 Costco will purchase the WSL for pennies on the dollar before shutting its doors and starting its own soft top league (WSTL) lead by Gerry Lopez, Ben Gravy, Kalani Rob and JOB. After 6 months of surfing El Porto poorly on all things craft ELO will go crawling back to Oprah as work is scarce due to global recession. After many zoom meetings Oprah finds a place for him scouring the world for the newest potato chip flavors.
So people did actually watch Ultimate Surfer?
Cough cough.
You need a badge for that.
…what s that?
Slowly? Not fast enough.
chase that hatred out of your heart bro…
Oh I dont care. Just riffing on the theme.. Anyone able to pay the bills via surf media is lucky as shit. I’d love ashton and chas to actually do something together for charity. Some surf off we all vote on or something.
…those dudes do actually surf?
“explode to a mind-boggling $3.1 billion by the year 2026?” Hahaha! I’m economically desensitized.
It sound like peanuts already.
How many hours it takes to “print” that? Let’s see what you can buy with that in 2026.
You know what’s cooler than being a billionaire?
Being a gazillionaire.
what s a brazillionaire? a poor guy/gal…
White gold
Surface Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:SURF)
In unexpected turn, brokerage firms have acknowledged a noticeable uptick in buy orders for shares in a small Massachusetts company, Surface Oncology, Inc..
Analysts have commented that it was only a matter of time before positive projections for growth in the surf market would result in a rally of SURF stock share price.
Well u know whats next. Line up patrols, I d cards claiming skill levels that are purchased as day passes or yearly membership for specific locations and all kinds of rules and regulations.
Are you going to run a story about Stab publicly shaming on Instagram their favorite teen alt board rider (Tosh Tudor) for losing his board and causing injury to another surfer?
Well now I am!
Looks like Kelly is presenting at the Academy Awards, according to his Instagram!