"We are at a loss for words right now. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world."
What would surfing be, today, if not for The Beach Boys? The quintet, originally made up of three brothers, Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and pal Al Jardine exploded onto the scene with their 1963 hit Surfin’ USA. The ode to our Sport of Kings, and The Beach Boys California-infused vibe, had kids around the world dreaming of getting their feet in the wax, of getting back on the sled and resetting.
While the sun, surf, fun themes resonated, it was Brian Wilson’s orchestration that really mattered. Considered a genius by many, Wilson had a breakdown in 1964 and stopped touring with the band but continued to make art. The album Pet Sounds widely considered one of the greatest ever made.
Wilson became more reclusive over time, battling drugs and alcohol plus severe mental health troubles, though did pop back up now and again, releasing solo albums and touring again for the last 20, or such, years, though began declining with what his family described as a “major neurocognitive disorder” in 2023.
He died yesterday at the age of 82, his family announcing, “We are at a loss for words right now. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
As a surfer, do you have any strong Beach Boy opinions? Were you inspired? Frustrated with the inspiration of others? Do you have a favorite song?
Hard to beat God Only Knows, for my money.
RIP.
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Ivanka Trump, attacked by white male surfers for surfing appreciation post. | Photo: @ivankatrump
Newly reconstituted SURFER magazine slammed for attack on Ivanka Trump
By Derek Rielly
"Why are you bringing politics into surfing. Just let her have her stoke."
Ivanka, the daughter of President Trump and the now sadly in the dirt Ivana, had posted a lovely series of photos enjoying the sport of kings and queens for World Ocean Day.
There’s no place I feel more free, more grounded, and more at peace than in the ocean.
It restores, it humbles, and it inspires.
Today, on #worldoceansday let’s celebrate this blue heart of our planet.
There are a few unwritten rules of social media, including, but not limited to: don’t like someone’s photo from 2013, unless you’re intentionally flirting; keep the selfies to a minimum, except if you’re like really, really ridiculously good looking; and amidst national and/or global crises, in which peoples’ lives are being drastically impacted, press pause on the frivolous content.
Ivanka Trump, daughter to POTUS, broke the last rule recently when she posted a series of images showing her surfing in honor of World Oceans Day, while her father’s administration unleashed the national guard and marines to Los Angeles to quell demonstrations opposing a swift uptick in immigrant deportations. As a result, Ivanka was bombarded in the comments for being “tone deaf.”
The story concluded with an ominous threat.
As for the situation involving mass arrests, deportations, and disappearances of immigrants, people are still taking to the streets in protest and spreading beyond Los Angeles. This ain’t over yet.
The president’s daughter – and novice surf influencer – has been slammed for sharing a surfing image amidst immigration crackdown. https://t.co/vIFpgKkTD6
Surfer’s readers, ooowee, they weren’t buying one damn word.
SURFER gone woke Give her praise!
Go Ivanka! Do your thing. Haters gonna hate.
God forbid a babe shreds once in a while
Please. Relax. I care about my country, want laws enforced, want a clean ocean, and want a safe place to raise to my kids to surf. And I’m paddling out today at Brooks St. since Trestles is closed.
Shut the fuck up. Why are you bringing politics into surfing. Just let her have her stoke. All surfers love sharing there surf with the world.
Just leave Ivanka Trump alone. You know what’s to be deaf.. the @wsl not standing up for women’s sports and keeping men out of their competitions .You know what’s tone deaf… Clowns pushing fake man made waves… There is no real stoke in fake waves. Surfing is not supposed to be based on weather your left or right…It’s supposed to be about sharing stoke . Good on Ivanka Trump for sharing stoke. And fuck everybody that says otherwise
Let her be. And Surfer Mag, please stay out of politics and stick to what you do best.
Question if you lean left: is it ok to beat hell out of a woman if her swing don’t align with yours?
Importantly, do you, too, believe Ivanka Trump is as sweet and wholesome and yet as sexy as any woman has a right to be?
Would you, too, like to reach your hand down to find her honeyed moistness, America’s first daughter gasping with pleasure as she squirms beneath your seeking fingers?
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Griffin Colapinto puts Pip to his sword at Lex Trestles Pro.
Surf fans cry foul after Filipe Toledo pulverised by Griffin Colapinto at Lexus Trestles Pro
By Derek Rielly
"I honestly think that WSL is making an effort to end the Brazilian storm."
The man they call the Gandhi of surfing for his profoundly simple approach to life, Mr Griffin Colapinto, is under fire tonight by surf fans who believe sinister, likely racist, forces conspired to remove small-wave wizard Filipe Toledo from the Lexus Trestles Pro.
With seconds to go in the pair’s round of 16 heat, San Clemente born-and-raised Griffin, scored an 8.93 to beat Filipe Toledo in a wonderful nail-biter, 16.83 to 16.30.
Even to the jaundiced eye, Griff’s surfing and his dreamy Biolos’ were clearly superior to the Sharp Eye-riding Toledo.
Following the WSL’s Instagram post of Griffin’s heat-winning wave, however, Brazilian fans, and even a few crackers, were apoplectic.
I honestly think that WSL is making an effort to end the Brazilian storm.
Who scored this? A drugged up 12yr old san clemente kid??
That wave was great, but he did not beat Toledo. This is getting ridiculous. (no I’m not Brazilian. I live near Griffin and like both surfers.)
I rarely disagree with the judging, but this is obviously over scored. Love Griff’s surf and style and hate to go along with the massive cry from my brazilian mates, but I really can’t see that score in this wave.
Reading through the comments, I thought it was the usual fan whining… so I went on to watch the heat recap, and I was amazed to see that Toledo scores were heavily hindered. Griffin surfed amazing, but Filipe was in another level. It must be very hard to any pro athlete to overcome such injustice! This really undermines WSL credibility. So frustrating it must be for Felipe and all professionals… too bad for all of us surf fans who love watching competitive surf
Let’s be honest, you’re a great athlete, but we all know that score was completely unfair. It wasn’t your fault, and the joy of advancing in the competition is real, but you shouldn’t have celebrated the way you did. That doesn’t help the sport evolve technically—at best, it encourages poor management
That wasn’t best wave of the heat. How is felipe’s full rotation an 8.3, 0.63 beneath? Also, Felipe’s 8.00; 2 searing carves with a crazy reverse so so late on a difficult section, no downtime between moves, perfect flow. I think the judges struggle to be subjective and have different expections for different surfers. If Griff had done that big full rotation, can guarantee it would’ve been scored way higher than 8.3. If Felipe had Griff’s end wave, it would’ve been a 7.5. No I’m not Brasilian, from NZ. Also I reckon Similar thing happened to Italo, he won his heat.. Epic surfing but wrong person advanced, No way an 8.93. Can I have a job judging plz
The piece de resistance, as they say in the Republic, came from Luke Cederman, star of BeachGrit’s time travel comedy, Once Upon a Time in New Zealand.
I think the saddest part about this, is it has really highlighted how many professional judges are unemployed at the moment and have to share their opinions from their social media accounts.
Colapinto, say you know, ain’t no stranger to the heat of Brazilian surf fans. Following his win over Filipe Toledo in El Salvador, chaos was promised on the sands of Saquarema if he dared show his face.
Happened again at the Surf Ranch, somewhere else and now, here, Lowers.
Griffin Colapinato’s response then, you’ll remember, was pure Gandhi.
“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.”
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Comment Live, Lexus Trestles Pro Day Two!
By Chas Smith
"You people with hearts, have something to guide you, and need never do wrong; but I have no heart, and so I must be very careful."
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New Chucky action figure has surfers squealing with delight!
By Chas Smith
"Chucky is bringing chill beach vibes mixed with his murderous charm..."
We are old, now, and grizzled, but were once young, dumb, minds filled with imagination. Days spent wandering outside catching bugs, swimming in still waters and playing with action figures. I was a Star Wars man, myself, but made plenty of time for G.I. Joe and, on occasion, the Purple Pie Man when my sister was playing Strawberry Shortcake.
I would have been more thrilled, though, to act out blood-soaked fantasies with a little eponymous Chucky from Child’s Play.
The very famous slasher franchise debuted in 1988 and featured a lovable murderous doll named Chucky. The original so popular that six films have been made, since, the latest in 2019 following on the heels of 2017’s smash Cult of Chucky.
Well, as luck, or fate, would have it, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association is set to kick off its Comic-Con in San Diego and introducing a “Surfing Chucky” to celebrate.
“Surfing into San Diego, Chucky is bringing chill beach vibes mixed with his murderous charm,” the copy opens, “But don’t let this laid-back surfer dude fool you… he’ll wipe out anyone when the time is right! Featuring the same articulation and scale as the rest of our Chucky Ultimates, he’s ready to hang ten in his Good Guys-themed rash guard, board shorts, and flip flops. Accessories include interchangeable heads and hands, sunglasses, suntan lotion, soft goods fabric towel, arm floaties, surfboard, and a wave base for the surfboard.”
It appears that Chucky is riding a leash-less with the biggest fin ever carved, making the decapitation terror all too real.
He also throws a real mean shaka.
Supplies are limited so get to Comic-Con as soon as the doors open, find the NECA booth and pay whatever they are asking.
