Blood in the water.

Surfing is riven with various competing claims. Best boardshort, best wetsuit, best traction, best shark deterrent, best wax, best changing poncho, best bottle-opening sandal etc. though nobody, not one person and especially at the World Surf League Championship Tour level, has ever suggested anything other than John John Florence making the best waterproof jacket.

The multi-talented seaman, and 2x professional surfing champion, has charted his own course, charging various obscure waves, sailing the open Pacific, creating a line of outerwear that is as functional as it is functional.

Florence Marine X burst onto the scene as a pure reflection of John John’s true passions after his sponsor Hurley was sold to a beard oil outfit necessitating his abandonment. The Hawaiian prodigy left millions, likely, on the table to create outerwear that he actually needs. Warmth and dryth on the high seas.

And let us examine the Rain Pro 3-Layer Waterproof Shell (no relation to Albee). Promising a 10k rating with coated zippers, it is undeniable (buy here).

Except.

On-again-off-again Italian upstart Leonardo Fioravanti has just signed a deal with a French company that claims to make the waterproof shell “par excellence.”

“Proudly announcing our collaboration with @leofioravanti,” K-Way posted to Instagram. “Can’t wait to have fun and start this journey together.”

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A shaka emoji was added, for good measure, rubbing salt deep into Florence’s wound.

K-Way, born in Paris in 1965 and claiming to be the first windproof, waterproof jacket ever, have long been a “category leader” and while superiority may be true, challenging John John so directly, so… personally is certain to create friction.

Which leaves a most important question for you.

Team Florence Marine X or K-Way?

Let 'er burn!

Yesterday, the surf world thrilled as the “Bible of the Sport,” Surfer magazine, debuted an exciting “trending news” writer. Based in East Tennessee, Emily Morgan, ” a proud owner of a Pyrnesse-mix, her hiking partner, every time she hits a trail,” and enjoyer of “strong coffee, spicy food, and live music,” seemed to hit the ground sprinting, covering a proposed wave tank in Arizona.

An excerpt:

We have major news coming out of Arizona: a 37-acre surf park is about to hit the landlocked area of Phoenix, and no, we’re not joking. Thanks to @haileyfrances in a new TikTok, we got the low down on what to expect from the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of surf parks. You’re going to want to take notes on this one, folks. The newly artificial ‘Cannon Beach’ will not only be a mecca for surfers who want to ditch airfare prices and stay local, but it will also offer an on-site hotel.

It was the first time since 1987 that Rick Kane did not appear in a story related to surfing and Arizona, marking a radical shift and defining a fresh tone.

Morgan followed up by dumping gasoline all over California’s Bay Area and tossing a match right into the mess. “When you think of San Francisco, surfing probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind,” she penned before brutally twisting the knife. “Although the city is known for its skate spots, this clip, posted by @hunterjones_, has changed our minds about the city’s potential for catching breaks.”

Boom.

Surfing “not the first word that comes to mind.” A flamethrower after my own heart? I remember, when I was getting my start, that I enjoyed kicking Puerto Rico in the guts. The Ultimate Surfer’s Alejandro Moreda and friends confronted me, at some point, and you can listen here to how that all went down.

In any case, I’m very curious as to what Ocean Beach etc. surfers are thinking about this cold-hearted slap. Will there be retribution? A petition signed n sent to Surfer demanding respect? A caravan out to East Tennessee led by Fort Point “dicks?”

Currently more questions than answers.

Drew Kampion  lives.

Two years ago, surf fans everywhere broke into collective sobs when it was announced that Surfer magazine had fired its staff and was, effectively, shuttering. Founded in San Juan Capistrano, California, 1960, by high school teacher and surf film maker John Severson, the title was home to some of the greatest surf writers, surf photographers and graphic designers to ever toil under the glorious brine-filtered sun. The “Bible of the Sport” was purchase by various media companies in its later years, including Donald J. Trump’s friend David Pecker, before its eventual demise. Legendary photo editor Pete Taras wrote at the time, “t’s with great sadness that I write that today was my last day at SURFER. Between Transworld SURF, SURFER, and SURFING, that was half my life. 21 years between the three. It’s really hard for me to put into words right now the feelings. I’m a weepy mess. I taught. I was taught. I cared so much for all the creatives I worked with over the years. We were family.”

Well, those aforementioned sobbing surf fans became both greatly confused though possibly hopeful when Surfer’s carcass was exhumed, months ago, by The Arena Group as part of an alleged $25 million package. Chairman and CEO Ross Levinsohn, who enjoyed a spot of #metoo trouble for rating the “hotness” of female coworkers and allegedly “kissing and pressing himself against women” who were not his wife at a glitzy party, was extremely bullish on the purchase, citing “synergies” etc.

And, now, finally we get to see some of those. But let us meet the fresh “trending news” writer for Surfer.

Emily Mogan is the Trending News Writer for Surfer. While completing her undergraduate degree, she wrote for her on-campus newspaper and devoted her time to running socials for a nonprofit close to her heart. She also dabbled in another nonprofit, creating content, writing copy, and editing photos and videos. Upon graduation, she acted as a staff writer for a media outlet, covering many topics, from breaking news to new music to national parks. She resides in a small town nestled at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. She’s also a proud owner of a Pyrnesse-mix, her hiking partner, every time she hits a trail. Emily enjoys strong coffee, spicy food, and live music.

And instructive excerpt from a bit on Australia’s Surf Lakes.

In the clip, you get a look at happy surfers of all ages and skill level catch breaks thanks to the park’s five different levels it offers. However, while many viewers were in awe of the clip, some couldn’t help but point out that it was somewhat too ominous for their liking. “I feel like they need to put a fence around that thing or something,” worried @oakheartgardenia. Another user (@themusicman) echoed the concern: “This seems terrifying to me.”

Drew Kampion  lives.