An epic blunder.
Filipe Toledo is very afraid of Teahupo’o or, more specifically, waves of consequence. This much was all but proven this early morning at “the end of the road” where the current number one surfer in the world paddled into a picturesque lineup featuring epic waves standing up on a legendary reef and refused to flip and go.
Those sitting at home, watching, certainly feel light sting, imagining themselves in his position, same waves, same reef, terrified bile moving from stomach to throat.
All understandable but, herein, lies the trouble.
We are, each of us, mere mortals possessing neither skill nor ability nor financial resources nor talent to surf the world’s best waves. Toledo, on the other hand, possess all four plus. He will soon, likely, be crowned our champion but should our champion, our hero or heroine exceed what is only us?
I think history has rightly declared “yes.”
If an epic bit of surf tabloidism darkened the horizon and I was too afraid to write would that taint me?
Yes.
If a monstrous pipe was in need of being unclogged and our Negatron pulled a punch would that taint him?
Yes.
Etc.
Toledo, in not paddling, in not paddling at the World Surf League pretending that he was “waiting for a bomb” is now tainted, his upcoming 2022 champion crown soiled, his legacy forever dumb alongside the aforementioned WSL or do you disagree? He failed, publicly, at his job. At what he is paid to do. The WSL failed to call out greatness or, more specifically, shirking greatness.
David Lee Scales and I discuss, in real time, and I would love your opinion.
