“Thank you for catching me, so much. Holy s–t."

Australian surf fans were abuzz, yesterday, as they prepared to go and watch Coldplay’s Chris Martin perform the bands many hits in the cultural capital of Melbourne. While originally from Exeter, England, the 47-year-old crooner moved to Malibu, California some two years ago and became a notable longboard/funboard surfer. Surf fans, therefore, practicing the long tradition of supporting other surf fans, came out in droves, packing Marvel Stadium with at record-breaking 227,000 surf fan clip.

The thrill almost turned to absolute horror when Martin decided to cross-step across the stage backward, falling into a trap door.

Many things can, of course, go wrong when a surfer falls into a trap door. Shins bruised, or worse, and a collective breath was held until Martin came up allegedly dazed but smiling. “Thank you for catching me, so much. Holy s–t,” he said to the stage hands, likely surf fans, who must have caught him.

He admitted to being a little wobbly, having the “jitters” and feeling “weird” after the incident but did not seem to get overly scared, like the two-time Brazilian surf champ Felipe Toledo, and continued performing.

Bold and brave.

David Lee Scales and I, anyhow, have an ongoing segment about adults falling down on our podcast. When was the last time you tripped or slipped and hit the deck?

You’re amongst friends, here. And longboard/funboard royalty.

"Toyota has gone old school, converting a 2025 4Runner TRD Limited into an homage to the original with the 4Runner TRD Surf concept."

Any surfer worth her salt knows that sliding waves is only a small part of the overall ouvre. The bulk of any quality surfing life is made up of clothing choices (Florence X Marine or Outerknown for example), what to eat post-surf (California burrito or plate lunch) and dialect (bro or brah) to name but a very few signifiers.

One of the biggest ticket items, of course, is what to drive.

A handful of years ago, Korean manufacturer Hyundai released the Santa Cruz and surfers near and far swooned at the surf-forward design (minus a bed too small for anything other than a mini Simmons. You can imagine the thrill, then, with Toyota’s new throwback concept, the 4Runner TRD Surf.

Per Can and Driver:

When the first Toyota 4Runner debuted in 1984, the off-roader sported two doors and a removable fiberglass rear canopy. While the 4Runner remains a close relative to Toyota’s midsize pickup truck offering, it’s grown more practical over the years, sprouting four doors and a permanently fixed roof. But for the 2024 SEMA show, Toyota has gone old school, converting a 2025 4Runner TRD Limited into an homage to the original with the 4Runner TRD Surf concept.

The most noticeable change is that the TRD Surf has two fewer doors, giving the concept a short wheelbase and a purposeful stance. The concept also measures two inches wider and rides on ginormous 37-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch custom wheels, contributing to the macho look. The deep blue paint is accented by turquoise, found in the stripes on the hood, the Toyota badge in the grille, a lowercase “turbo” script along the doors, and a series of stylized curves meant to emulate waves on the outside edges of the front bumper.

I am currently in Las Vegas and headed to the SEMA gala tonight as lady uck would have it, where the offroad vehicle is being debuted. I promise you, dear reader, that I will seek it out and see it, reporting back on its core factor.

More as the story develops, without doubt.

In the meantime, though, what was the best surf vehicle that you have ever owned?

"$33.85 million more has also gushed into the local economy through food purchases, lodging, equipment and stuff."

The Hawaiian Islands are known for many things including, but not limited to, Kelly Slater burritos, shave ice, duck tours, Roy’s fusion cusine, Spam musubi, sugar cane trains and seasonal drownings. Soon, though, that list might include Maybachs and Rolls-Royces purchased in bulk. But you are certainly aware of the new hit television drama “Rescue: HI-Surf” set on Oahu’s famed North Shore.

The series, a fan darling, has been soaring in the ratings as it features the action-packed days of North Shore lifeguards and, I assume, ambulance drivers.

Well, not only is it drawing millions of eyeballs, it is making locals millions upon millions of dollars.

Maui Now is reporting the program has “hired over 2,100 local cast and crew to be part of the first season. Collectively, the hires earned more than $31.75 million in wages.”

$31.75 million?

Eureka!

Native Hawaiian filmmaker Erin Lau, who is directing an upcoming episode, might be related to Zeke and might also be in the market for a new McLaren declared, “I am incredibly grateful for the support from our local film community and the collective of organizations and advocates that have helped me grow as a filmmaker and are empowering even more voices. Opportunities like this are essential for our emerging artists, and I’m thrilled to be part of ʻRescue: HI-Surf’ as it celebrates Hawai‘i’s creatives and stories.”

Maui Now has also deduced $33.85 million has gushed into the local economy through “food purchases, lodging, equipment and office rentals and goods and services from local vendors.”

I’ll be Jamie O’Briened!

Have you ever thought of moving to the islands and getting filthy rich?

Sorry, it’s too late.