Surf star Gabriel Medina “close” pal Neymar Jr. takes off clothes!

A way forward for the beleaguered surf industry?

The surf industry is hurting. It is a known fact and not surprising though still sad. Sad like the dew on Neymar Jr.’s eyes. We used to tower above other industries in terms of “cool” and “style.” We used to parade down catwalks and models would look upon us with stars in their eyes. Movie stars wore us. Our titans ruled benevolently with names like Bob McKnight and Bob Hurley.

The world was our oyster and also Neymar Jr’s.

But then it wasn’t ours though still probably Neymar Jr.’s.

At first, the Quiksilvers, Billabongs, RVCAs, Hurleys and Rip Curls went into recession. They cut staff then cut staff again in various bids to “reorganize.” Next came selling to “management companies” or hedge funds that promised smarter and better “reorganization.” Finally all the brands were bundled into one brand dubbed Authentic Brands Group and turned into bath bomb companies.

Where to go from here?

While all hope seems lost, the aforementioned Neymar Jr. might provide an important key. You know the Brazilian soccer star as the “wildly close” pal of two-time world surf champion Gabriel Medina. The two regularly make splashes in Portuguese-language tabloids.

One, Midiario, wrote, “Communicators say that they (Medina and Neymar Jr.) have maintained a friendship since childhood, but it is not ‘normal’ to see that of men here.”

BeachGrit‘s Derek Rielly added, “Love rules, I think, and rarely fails to win.”

Might he have been prescient?

Enter Kim Kardashian

With the surf industry in tatters, Neymar Jr. has decided to take an underpants sponsorship from the newly launched Skims for Men.

Kim Kardashian co-founded the “shape wear” company that makes lounge wear, lingerie and accessories including bras, underwear, bodysuits. It now also makes men’s undergarments.

Kim Kardashian said, “To have an icon like Neymar Jr be the face of our launch campaign, along with NBA All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and NFL’s top Defensive Player Nick Bosa, I think speaks volumes to the way SKIMS has evolved into becoming a brand that can provide comfort for all audiences, not just for women.”

She did not sign, nor mention, Gabriel Medina but is that a possibility in the near future?

Kolohe Andino too?

Should BeachGrit quickly launch a men’s lingerie line in order to be on the bleeding edge of a “new-and-improved” surf industry?

Currently more questions than answers.