Passion.

Brazilians are heading to the polls, this morning, in one of the hottest election in years. On one hand, the right one, countrymen and women have incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. The firebrand has made much news, over the course of his reign, with provocative statements, eyebrow-raising stories, a great and important friendship with professional surfer Gabriel Medina. “I’m expecting our victory, for the good of Brazil,” he told reporters as he cast a vote for himself. “God willing, Brazil will be victorious today.”

On the hand, this one left, sits Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, a former union leader, who was once much-loved and president for seven years but then got tossed in jail but then released.

The race is impossibly tight.

“Politically, Bolsonaro is stronger than had been imagined,” said Rodrigo Prando, a professor at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in Sao Paulo. “Mathematically, Lula is in front.”

No matter who wins, one thing is certain. The World Surf League has signaled its intent to come south and mine a precious resource from the developing nation and ship it directly north, to the United States of America, and its vast eyeball and click vaults.

In naked provocation, WSL CEO Erik Logan told Brazilian news outlet Exame, “Currently, there is no other market like the Brazilian one for professional surfing. Just see what happens with our events held in the country. When you arrive at the Saquarema stage and see 50,000 people on the sand, the passion of Brazilian…”

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The thought remained unfinished, though was clearly taking a left turn.

Or maybe right turn.

In either case, talk of a United States-based company referring to the Brazilian “market” for “our” events smacks of such colonization-era behaviors that it is, frankly, shocking.

Do you think either Bolsonaro or Lula will be able to stand up to the Yanqui menace?

Trouble.

Semper fidelis.

Kelly Slater, and his enduring friendship with Bill Murray, is becoming one of the most precious stories of all. The surf great and iconic comedian most recently enjoyed each other’s company in Scotland, wearing fine suits, looking dapper. As it turns out, Slater might be the last remaining person on earth publicly admitting to that pleasure.

The Saturday Night Live alumn has become the subject of much scorn, lately, with everybody but everybody coming out of the woodwork to share “Bill Murray caused either emotional or physical harm” stories. It was lightly difficult to find them all, as he, apparently, hurt across multiple genres, but thankfully, the august Vanity Fair magazine has just released a complete “Everyone who has publicly accused Bill Murray of Misconduct” list.

Names include:

Chevy Chase

Geena Davis

Richard Dreyfuss

Seth Green

Anjelica Huston

Solange Knowles

Lucy Liu

McG

Jennifer Butler Murray

Harold Ramis

Rob Schneider

Laura Ziskin

Names do not include:

Kelly Slater

Semper fidelis.

Here, anyhow, is a new Slater video wherein he shares his love of golf and other things. I do believe it was shot on the same trip as the above picture.

Tying it all together.

Yikes!

Any surfer worth his, or her salt, has certainly made pilgrimage to Oahu’s Waikiki. Oh, I know that the strip of fine sand, fronted by crystalline waves, abutted by a menagerie of hotels from various eras, on Honolulu’s southwest is not everyone’s cup of tea but its historical importance is without shade or shadow. Kings and queens used to ride those soft lulls breaking in the shadow of Diamond Head. Duke Kahanamoku, and various beachboys, establishing the very idea of “surf culture” on the sand.

Well, as Waikiki grew into a very popular tourist destination with more and more and more steaming, then flying, across the Pacific to relax and maybe try some of the surfing for themselves, the beachboys became savvy businessmen, paddling the corn fed into the soup, giving them a taste of real life.

Those who provided surf, canoe or catamaran lessons had, for decades, been required to carry a “blue card” provided by the State that ensured they were qualified in “first-aid, safety and hospitality” though, days ago and in a shock decision, Hawaii Land Board has repealed the stipulation.

Per Hawaii News Now:

Testifiers at Thursday’s board meeting said the beach needs regulation and experienced operators.

“Businesses can be created in months,” said Clyde Aikau, surf legend and Waikiki Beachboy. “Waikiki beachboy expertise, which we have, has been going for over 50 years.”

Brian Adam of Moku Hawaii Surf Shop said, “The beach has turned into a bit of a free for all. There’s guys renting surfboards umbrellas doing cash deals.”

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation now plans to work with operators to develop new regulations.

But what do you think will happen on those sands have descended into anarchy? Iowa VALs drowning en masse?

Erik Logan becoming beachboy himself?

Yikes.