"He was dodging the trailer at the intersection. The motorcycle was driving traveling fast."

News has broken, overnight, that Kym Thompson has died following a horrific motorcycle accident in Thailand. The iconic surfboard shaper, who founded the brand Watercooled in Torquay, Australia in 1975, had been living in Thailand for decades and working for Cobra surfboards.

Eyewitness Katawut Tangkaew told local press the motorbike Thompson was riding was traveling at high speed at the time of the crash. “He was dodging the trailer at the intersection. The motorcycle was driving traveling fast.”

Surveillance footage shows Thompson losing control as he attempted to dodge a truck pulling a trailer and slamming into an electrical pole then skidding along the ground.

First responders attempted CPR but Thompson’s injuries were too severe, including a broken neck and arms, and he died at the scene.

Cobra surfboards released a statement reading, “Kym was one of the Cobra Core Team members. He came to Cobra with his Water Cooled brand from Australia back in the 80s with the dream of shaping amazing boards and developing a mass-production solution for the surfboard industry. Kym achieved these goals and so many more along the way, a true industry legend that will be missed by many. Our condolences to the entire Thompson Clan.”

According to Legends of Surfing:

Kym Thompson started surfing in the long board era of the 60’s. He was a junior state champion and a well respected early member of the Seaview Road Board Riders Club where he earned the nickname “Roader”. He has been shaping since the age of 15 and his shapes are evolutions of decades of development transitioning some great designs in all forms.

In 1969 Kym started shaping for John Arnold’s in Adelaide, then moved to Don Burford’s in 1970. In 1971, Kym moved to the coastal town Torquay, seeing a bright future and the opportunity to surf the then uncrowded waves of the west coast of Victoria. In this period Kym shaped simultaneously for Ripcurl, Klemm-Bell and Pat Morgan and shortly after became the head shaper for Klemm-Bell Surfboards in Torquay.

For many years Kym has been based in Thailand where he was invited to join Cobra International company and he has been instrumental is setting up a world class surfboard production facility. This company has a vast and extensive background in composite construction methods which he recognised was to play a vital roll in the ongoing and future development of surfboard technologies and design. Today this platform continues to allow him to explore and bring new concepts and constructions methods which ultimately benefits manufacturers and consumers alike and he is able to continue to pursue his ideals to deliver quality products that set standards of excellence.

A funeral service is set to be held at the Samnak Bok temple in Chonburi, near Bangkok, from November 1 to 5.

Bombshell from a bombshell.

The greater San Diego area, and its surfers, by extension, is not typically known as a hotbed of progressive thinking. Of rootin’ tootin’ norm-bustin’ liberalism. No, the coastline from Oceanside down through Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, La Jolla until San Diego proper is what might be described as “generally conservative,” and not necessarily in a political sense.

Things are done, here, like they were done before. A dawn patrol chased by a coffee and donut. Some light work selling medical devices. An evening session chased with an IPA. Entertainment revolves around catching Chris Cote performing music at the Belly Up or Chris Cote hosting comedy night at the 1st Street Bar. Date nights happen exclusively at Herb and Sea, man ordering roasted oysters and bone marrow followed by a wood grilled steak, woman opting for the roasted baby carrots and plancha fired branzino.

Watching the kids play soccer, dad wearing an old Chargers jersey, mom a wide-brimmed hat, dominates the weekend.

Its a simple lifestyle that has been passed from grandfather to father, father to son and traditional, though famous first daughter Emily Ratajkowski pitched that all into the air hours ago in a wildly scintillating new interview.

Ratajkowski, who hails from Encinitas and was rumored to be bringing Brad Pitt here, suddenly has the region’s men wondering if they should try the branzino, women pondering oysters, everyone reflecting on Chris Cote, wide-brimmed hats, etc.

For according to Fox News:

The newly single mother, 31, spoke with Harper’s Bazaar for their November issue about a TikTok trend she participated in, which jokes that women who own a green couch are bisexual.

When the outlet asked if the video had any truth behind it, Ratajkowski replied, “I think sexuality is on a sliding scale. I don’t really believe in straight people.”

“My girlfriend came over and was like, ‘B-h, have you seen the green-couch thing?’ She was laughing at me because my green couch is so big,” she explained of the joke.

The model went on to say that she wants to have fun with herself without feeling like a “bad feminist.”

“I want to be able to have fun with how I present myself in the world without feeling like I’m a bad feminist or a good feminist,” she said. “Duh. I don’t want to be a part of your club if you don’t want to have me. It’s fine!”

Straight people not real?

San Diego area surfers in for a lot of soul searching tonight. Soul searching plus IPA.

Why, for example, did they so desire a glimpse of Brad Pitt?

More as the story develops.

Come one, come all!

But if Kelly Slater was to wave a magic wand above your head and grant you admission to one of the world’s wave pools, which would you choose? His eponymous Surf Ranch, there in the cow stink of Lemoore? The tank formerly known as BSR deep in the heart of Texas? Wales’ original Wavegarden? URBNSRF very near Melbourne’s airport or the Mad Max-inspired Surf Lakes planted right in Yeppoon?

If I can offer some advice, I’d say to pick Surf Ranch, as it is a hard/expensive ticket to come by, exclusive, and not exactly open to the public like Surf Lakes just yesterday announced it is planning to be.

Per the press release:

The site, located midway between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, has been in use since 2018, but being a prototype, has served only to successfully prove, test and improve the capability of Surf Lakes unique wave making technology. To date, invitations to selected guests have been extended to enjoy, and provide feedback, on the incredible surf experience on offer.

“We are extremely happy that Surf Lakes International and GSP have been able to come to an agreement whereby a significant community asset may be finally opened to the public,” said GSP Business Development and Media Director, Wayne Dart. “Having worked with Surf Lakes over the past few years to develop and manage the in-water experience, we know just how incredible the experience will be and we know that the technology is by far and wide the best in the world.”

The press has dubbed Surf Lakes a “celebrity” tank, as opposed to Slater’s Surf Ranch, which feels a fairly heavy repudiation.

Who is more famous, Mark Occhilupo or DJ Diplo?

A no brainer.