But a silver lining?
The political left and right may be extremely far apart, these days, across all subsets very much including surf. Already prone to tribalism, surfers fight, fight, fight over board volume and stance throughout the day. Throwing the recent presidential election into the mix and a landslide victory by Donald Trump leading directly to even greater divisions.
Shortboarders from Huntington sneering at longboarders from Capo Beach and screaming at them to “go back to Mexico.” Similar things happening in Florida except instead of Mexico, longboarders are being told to go back to Puerto Rico.
Dark days ahead. The end of even the flimsiest concept of a “surf world?”
Enter The Inertia.
The “definitive voice of surfing and the outdoors” took the moment to release its “winter gear guide” beginning thusly:
It’s that time of year again. The water is getting colder, the waves are getting bigger, and it’s just about time to dig those booties and hooded fullsuit out of the closet where they’ve been hibernating for the summer. In winter, surfing changes from a carefree sun-soaked activity to a ritualistic and gear-heavy affair, all in the name of staying warm.
The gear:
Shortboarders and longboarders, Shredders for Harris and Barrel Hounds for Trump, goofies and regulars each holding each other’s hair back as they take turns vomiting due the sheer sartorial assault.
Unified.