The great American surf road-trip.
Anti-depressive news broke hours ago, buoying surfers who have become extremely morose in recent days. In a whirlwind of bummer, the World Surf League announced that Filipe Toledo will be crowned champion in 2024, premium subscription surf blog Stab got to work erasing the problematic word “Teahupo’o” from its archives in preparation and the Wall of Positive Noise grew that much higher.
Dark times.
But ho! What light through yon window breaks?
It is a 10-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister stealing their mother’s car in Florida and making it over 200 miles in an attempt to make it to California and instantly becoming the heroes a beleaguered surfing community so desperately needs.
Police deputies stopped their car near Gainesville at 3:00 am after it had been reported stolen. They were prepared to face off with some hardened criminal though were shocked when a small pair of hands flashed through the window. The young ones were, thankfully, not harmed with their mother driving three hours to fetch them. Police marveled at what a good driver the boy was while surfers remembered that great American roadtrips used to be part of our culture.
When was the last time you tossed your board into the back, buckled up and really drove somewhere far away in order to surf? Ten-ish years ago, I was rented a car in Orlando and drove to every corner of the Sunshine State, sampling waves in New Smyrna, Pensacola, Tampa, even Miami.
Just me and the open road.
It was a wonderful time and, thanks to the brave work of that brother-sister duo, front of mind once again.
Exactly what we all needed.
But where would you go on your ideal great American surf roadtrip?
Or great Australian surf roadtrip, if you happen to be down under?
Did I ever tell you about the time that I was in Margaret River for the contest? So, I was in Margaret River for the contest, fourteen, or so, years ago, standing in the parking lot when the dustiest car rolled up. Bugs splattered across windshield etc. Chris Ward got out and declared that he had rented a car, after the Bells contest, and driven across the entire continent, arriving just before his heat.
Some 3500 miles.
Later, I learned that he had to drive the rental all the way back to Torquay because they wouldn’t accept it in Perth.
That’s the sort of pluck I’m talking about.
Free thinker, that’s a laugh! If our generation is doomed, it’s because of spoiled, entitled children such as yourself are ruining this once great country!
I’m super impressed these kids had the confidence and skills to get down the road as far as they did! Right or wrong they got tenacity and aren’t helpless and unmotivated!
Your comment confirms that you have the same mentality of these two children
Who said these two juveniles delinquents were heading to surf? Why is anyone praising this criminal act, why isn’t anyone questioning how and why the mother let these two kids steel her car? Sounds like the two kids need punishment and I’m not talking about a time out!
Thank you!!! So the 11yr old daughter got mad because her mother had her on punishment and took away her devices.. she’s mad so she gets her brother to try and help them get away… the mom thought her kids had been kidnapped… this article made it seem like it was some saving grace when no.. these kids could’ve been hurt they could’ve hurt someone else imagine how the mom was feeling.. scared worried sick to her stomach because she doesn’t know where her kids are.. I’m glad that the children are safe but this isn’t a hero story here
It’s an epic story for the 10 and 11 year old
People let others steal their car…….said no one ever.
“recalculating” 😭🤣🏄♂️🌊👦👧🚗🚔
That pretty much says it all but at least they are partying like it’s 1999 in Denver with bars and prostitution:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk…
I partied in 99
So did many, BUT the loyal readers of BG want to know if you partied like its 1999 and are you a Swiftie?
Of course I did and also in 1999. No Swiftie but good on Kelce to be hittin that.
You could not have sampled waves in Tampa unless of course you were in the bay.
PHONE CALL FROM “UNCLE CHRIS” who’s here?
Drove from Melbourne,Florida to Oceanside Ca 3 weeks ago. Been surfing a ton and laughing at all the yuppie posers in North County.
Easy drive even solo.
That’s what I like to hear!
Rumor has it they were traveling to California to educate home schooled pro surfers in basic literacy skills.
Finally Chas, a story worth reading…
This is no time to speak of the hopes of the future, or the broader world which lies beyond our struggles and our victory. We have to win that world for our children. We have to win it by our sacrifices. We have not won it yet. The crisis is upon us…. In this strange, terrible world war there is a place for everyone, man and woman, old and young, hale and halt service in a thousand forms is open. There is no room now for the dilettante, the weakling, for the shirker, or the sluggard. The mine, the factory, the dockyard, the salt sea waves, the fields to till, the home, the hospital, the chair of the scientist, the pulpit of the preacher from the highest to the humblest tasks, all are of equal honor all have their part to play. Not sure how big a part that youthful surf road trip is. Probably won’t see residuals.
Winston Chaschill
glossed thru page1 EOE did ya? NOT AFFILIATED WITH EOS/
Word on the street is they were going to camp outside the WSL’s Santa Monica office and demand an interview from one of the destroyers of professional competition surfing. Then they were going to drive the 18 miles (according to google) out to Manhattan beach to track down ELO!
Ultimate Search. As a grom ripping thru Surfer Mag (in MB) a pic of Virginia Beach had me wanting my first car. Left to right across the dial…
“Money lost, little lost
Honor lost, much lost
Pluck lost, all lost”
Safe to assume the final destination was going to be Livermore??
Ok this is nice and all BUT we are long past due for BG to put out a long range surf forecast for Southern CA. Lie about it if you must but give me something! College football is already boring me and with a meaningful crash on my mtn bike this week after work I’m pissed at the lack of waves.
Big fan of carnage. Let’s hear about this “meaningful crash”.
Front wheel went in a rut at the bottom of the mtn on a partially gravel jeep road at the end of a ride and slide out. Managed to get one foot unclipped before I went down, bruised ego, solid road rash on one knee, one shoulder, one forearm and bizarrely both hands have bruised palms(WTF), may have fractured the the last bone on my pinkie but contrary to the wife’s directive I’m not getting an x-ray as there is nothing to be done other than splint the finger. But the bike is ok while the Garmin that tells me if my heart is about to blow up was destroyed(also a WTF). Total dumbass move on my part but no chipped tooth or concussion like the last crash a few years ago….
Sometimes gravity insists you hug the earth.
Glad it wasn’t worse.
Gravity remains undefeated and I wonder if learning how to quickly dismount in college played a part in the lack of more serious injuries over the yrs…Thx!
Looking pretty grim for all of SoCal in the next few weeks.
Maybe Chas should set up a BG sponsored Gofundme so we can fly somewhere to surf and sit around the campfire at night while he regales us with stories of his wild years, his trips across America and what it was like to drive through Elo’s birth state.
They probably just got done watching your Lisa Anderson doco.
Only onWard and upWard for those Adlolescents…
Don’t be miffed toWard the title of the next aWard winning … Lost video if it mimics your comment Ward for Ward
Lol. You Are …lost.