Argh. But silver (beard) lining?
If there is one thing the World Surf League’s core fanbase can agree upon it is that Barton Lynch is, by far and away, the game’s best commentator. Any time the 1987 world champion is in the booth a sort of lightness reigns. Lightness coupled with intelligence, a fine vocabulary, the good attitude, vibes, that Joe Turpel attempts to replicate except cannot because his interior universe is like a Barney and Friends episode on loop.
Fairly vacant.
Papa Barton, though, has not been in the booth of late leaving the aforementioned core fanbase restless and confused. Is everything ok? Did he stumble into the same net of transit visa issues that so snared Tyler Wright?
More questions than answers until today when Lynch revealed that the World Surf League has unceremoniously hung his career, with them, from a tree. In a direct-to-camera explanation, thus he begins:
Hi guys, I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately from people about my commentary, when they can listen to me and when I might be back in the booth, and what the situation is there. So a couple weeks ago, just to update you, I reached out to the WSL and offered my services, let them know that I was available for any upcoming events but was unfortunately told that I wasn’t needed this year so I won’t be back, I won’t be commentating this year and, uh, well that’s not altogether to be unexpected, I suppose. In reality, I’m happy about the opportunities that opens up for me to share what I know, what I see and what I understand of competitive surfing with people outside of that official capacity. So some great things we’re working on, I’m going to let you know about them very soon but, unfortunately, I won’t be back in the booth this year. Have a great day, people, all good though. Love yous.
The surf community was, rightly, apoplectic with father of competitive surfing Ian Cairns writing, “The comments on here speak for themselves. You’re the only commentator that illuminates concepts and situations in heats, that former champions recognize as well. These insights are critical explanations to the hoped for expanded WSL audience. Otherwise it’s ongoing blah blah blah. Their loss and your gain!”
Filipe Toledo’s daddy Rich adding, “Let’s go!!! We missing u papa Smurf.”
And the great Mike Stewart declaring, “Would love to hear your commentary on various significant heats. Maybe a YouTube channel?”
Oh wait.
Is that what is happening here? A pirate stream? Please let it be true. Silver Beard would absolutely crush with a salty non-sanctioned mutiny and we raise our various cutlasses in support.
Viva the revolution, to mix communist and piracy metaphors, or as Noa Deane said…
…well, you know what he said.
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Get rid of Kaipo and bring back anyone else
1987 World Champ?! Seriously?
It’s because they’re feminizing the WSL. 🤮
It’s to make way for the blasted women, Shannon, Laura et. al., whose commentary truly sucks.
Female commentary is almost as bad as female surfing. That’s bad. That’s really bad.
Just think: what’s routine for men is miraculous for women (airs, barrels).
Wow. Female surfing is almost as cringe as the WNBA.
The worst male pro surfer should declare himself a female, join the female tour, and then proceed to win every event! 😂🤣😭
No opinion on his in-booth chops… but pretty sure Cote would surf circles around 99% of the commentators on here. He was a regional-pro in the 90’s/00’s, had clips in a bunch of surf vids and became the editor of Transworld Surf mag. A simple google search could’ve prevented a case of foot-in-mouth disease.
when it comes to science, no one ever accused pro surfers as being anything more than the high school educated groups they are.
barton, my favorite wsl announcer, has proven this.
stick to surf mate.
He’s a quivering Covidiot?
Hey im not usually ine for woke stuff but can we not compare mob hangings of black people to a guy not getting a job? I know its a name pun, but its a bit in bad taste.
Get lost, soy boy.
Yep – Turpel is significantly inferior vs. Barton.
But Kaipo makes Turpel look like Einstein.
Getting rid of kaipo and Shannon would be a good start.
This is a travesty! Just when I thought WSL couldn’t get any worse! BL is a legend, a saint, a funny and insightful commentator, and a terrific bloke. He will be sorely missed.
the moment this year when BL talked about prize money his fate was sealed…
Barton Lynch Luke Cederman alternative commentary on U tube.
Never seen Tear Devils from late 90’s? Kinda underground but had great music.
Go to 21:35. Cote could surf. Sure he still can now.
Shoot! Low key surfing better than I ever did!! Never calling him out again….
i am legitimately surprised at his level of surfing, since I always took him as a Salmasakela no clue VAL type of dude…
Thanks for the link
No problem. He is still annoying just not a Val.
And where is Pottz!? Did he meet the same fate as Barton??
One can only live in hope we never see either involved with the WSL again.
You’ve already proven that you’re a pitiful soy boy. No need to keep proving it. Get lost.
Living on the mornington peninsula of all places!
I’d imagine WSL’s billionaire owners are a bit dark on the wealth re-distribution stuff.
You’d reckon a “surf journalist” would know which year Barton won the world title.
1988.
Damien Hardman is generally credited as the 1987 world champ, even though he was actually the 1987/88 world champ due to being the last of the split season world champs.
We all know, for comments it’s really a tight one between YT autocaptions and the BG live comment thread.
And maybe KS in the booth.
I think they need to get less USA and California representation in the booth. It should be split like the judging, only 1 of 5 should be from US.
I think what Shannon has going for her is professional sports broadcasting.
I think vomiting stats and knowing your stuff is not enough to boost wsl forward. They need professional surf broadcasters. It seems like Laura is learning. Pete Mel learned. Strider learned. Those 3 are the best we got.
Knowing the Oklahoma roots of Erik Logan, shouldn’t that state have representation amongst the judges? Now don’t you dare question an Okie’s depth of surf knowledge as them bois got cow tippin and surfin, not only behind a boat, but behind a tractor runnin along their irrigation ditches
Commentary Manifesto
Believe it or not Cote rips and Joe is a level or two above functional. Doesn’t make them any less annoying although Joe has grown on me over the years. He seems to have a sort of encyclopedic memory of past heats and events in surfing which I respect. And his voice puts me to sleep at times when the comps are on late so I know longer want to punch him in the face just to see what he would do.