“We are humans that have been born into a world run by the overthinking mind and the feeling of separation.”
The San Clemente surfer Griffin Colapinto, who helped cool heads following the furore from Brazilian surf fans after he won the Surf Ranch Pro in May, has been granted the first seat on the US Olympic bus to the 2024 Games.
Amid death threats and promises of retribution on the blood-soaked sands of Saquarema, Brazil, Griffin had penned an open letter to the surfing community, a missive that had some calling him the “Gandhi of surfing.”
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“We are all human beings! We are all one. Each person seems to have something difficult that is happening in their life. Some times lashing out on others can stem from something deeper that we have no idea about. Raise your hand if you are guilty 🖐️ I know I have been before. And that’s okay, we are humans that have been born into a world run by the overthinking mind and the feeling of separation. But deep down there is a love that understands we are all one. I understand that there are different cultures but in the end we all feel pain and we all feel love. There are so many different perspectives and points of view out there. Who’s to say who’s right and who’s wrong. We grow up in different circumstances that shape our perspectives. Life really doesn’t make sense sometimes, but surely it’s more fun that way. Because now we have the unexpected. The element of surprise. There seems to be some growing pains in our surf community right now. But guess what? We are growing! Much love to everyone that is passionate about the sport of surfing. Without the passion, there would be no growth. Thank you!”
As you know, Griffin’s calm and skill in putting out fires was forged in the heat of battle.
You’ll remember after his El Sal win over Filipe Toledo in 2022, Brazilian surf fans went nuts, threatening protests, even death, claiming the fix was in for the gringo, a white conspiracy and so on, the hashtag, #worldshameleague a viral hit.
For further context read, Brazilian surf fans apoplectic following Californian Griffin Colapinto’s “shock” win over world title favourite Filipe Toledo, “World Shame League! This event was a joke!” and Latin surf fans vow to create chaos at next World Tour event in Brazil following Filipe Toledos controversial loss to Californian in El Salvador, “The biggest protest in history in Saquarema! Bring banners, balloons, planes, boo all the time! Make them leave due to emotional stress!”)
The world number three turns who twenty-five in one week, is a brave man. Like Mahatma Gandhi, he has the courage to believe that human society can be built only on moral principles and that no lesser means will prevail.
“Wow, how things can flip-flop just like that. I was so depressed yesterday,” Colapinto said when his inclusion was announced. “Only thing left is to win the title.
He’s also a gun at Teahupoo, unlike Brazil’s, likely, number one surfer, Filipe Toledo.
As one WSL follower wrote: “Can I just say what everyone is thinking. Why can’t every country just choose their best left hand barrel riders to represent their country? Imagine that Brazil who has Joao, Gabby, Italo, Yago, even Ciao that could win it has to go with Toledo because he does well in small rights and that has him winning the Title and an automatic pick for Brazil. With that said Griff is still a solid pick for USA but imagine JJF and Slater not getting the call up.
Also qualified is the number two ranked Australian surfer Ethan Ewing.
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Griff representing in a classy fashion. I love his attitude about surfing professionally. He can’t believe he gets paid to do what he is doing. He is having a great time. Go Griff!
doesn’t the ‘provisional’ part of the qualification mean he hasn’t really qualified?
Gromdhi
Ohh how I wish I cared even the slightest bit…
me & griff care ’bout you.
The world needs to witness filipes cowardice on a larger scale than the wsl can provide and the olympics aims to do just that
Dito
Manchild with dimples thing Jen?
Robbo would be my pick for Aus without hesitation, not too sure about the chick’s but Pickles would have a good dig over the more famous ones that can just go right and even without a period Tyler’s got not backhand . A specialist pick would be smarter than wsl tour based results for every country .
I think the mythical ‘third spot’ if you win the world surfing games can be handed out to anyone, but the first two spots go on WCT ranking and there’s even a sub-clause that says they can’t give it to someone who finished lower.
Nice read.
leave to surfers taking that chunk of platitudes as deep philosophy…
I’m a fan boy! We should meet up and swap cards, memorabilia!
I thought Jack Robinson was the Ghandi of surfing???
More the Bikram Choudhury. Or is that Elo?
prints off the nat’l database
Mrs Hip just lectured me about my take on Tyler.
“get used to it”…. meaning, she predicts a trend of “self aware” women who aren’t hiding in men’s shadows.
Then she asked me to pay her AX bill…. no fucking joke.
Tough love then the knee to the nuts.
Body Slam ! You’re done. Can’t do nothing, say nothing.
Pay up cuntee. Hahahahahar
Worse, I had to endure the lecture about how self empowered blah blah transformational awareness blah blah blah.
SMH
Fuck, I know believe me, I know.
Not much worse than that one ….
Was that before or after she made you do yoga?
whem the whip fpmes dpwn
Didn’t you say just yesterday that she’d never mention such things? Spoke too soon mate.
As evidenced by the Saquarema crowds.
The internet is full of shit
Stepped away for a minute and have come to a realization, you’re not going to like.,
Joe turpel is surfing.
You’re welcome.
Noone knows Turpel
Everyone knows Gmed
woah just “leanback” there !!!
it was a ‘Sally layback’ as i recall…
That’s just you being the filthy troll that you are.
You’re not fooling us, buddy.
He really is.
Sooo heavy….getting on the ski now to “reset”.
He aint no Gandhi.
Griff, like Gandhi, would be banned in certain US states for spreading such messages. Goddess forbid they do so whilst wearing a skirt.
Also wonder if Griff will pull a Gandhi and gift his Olympic spot to Kelly, in service of the greater good and to finally get Kelly the fuck off tour.
Thats true, how did the Dem cities get so extreme?
Bex how was your last surf?!? Hopefully some nugs.
Air 16
Water 19
Two wave total 6.2
That is warmer than here in summer.
I know
That’s fucked up. We have no banks either B, big swell in January swept the coastline sands. Unfuckingbelievable.
Its kinda pumpin on the north ends today
fuck. Go getum bro.
I had two buddies call today and leave messages about needing real point surf. JBay infected our crew, too many highlights.
You do know that Dem cities pay for Red state socialism? The 10 biggest failing and needy states all vote Red. Last in education, health, women’s health, etc.
If Blue states seceeded tomorrow, Red states would go insolvent. Immediately.
Dirty secret Bex
Thats cause u r full of rich white diablos
No, educated professionals.
Reds value opinion.
40 states have a balance of payment ratio higher than 1.00. Far from a dependency caused by state political leaning, it is typical for states to receive more in federal funds than they collect in federal taxes — an anomaly made possible only by rampant federal deficit spending.
All I know is I work with a bunch of oilfield trash from Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma and they can barely chew gum and walk at the same time. They are always super racist and insanely religious. Texans are usually up themselves because they can fly their flag higher than anyone else, but at least they aren’t morons.