“Tao” is “turtle” in Thai.

The turtle is, by every measure, an exemplary creature. A symbol of steadiness, longevity and wisdom. Significant and ancient. Researchers in the Levant recently uncovered one of the oldest religious artifact ever, a 37,000 year old turtle. Hinduism and Chinese mythologies depict the turtle holding up the earth on its strong and handsome shell. Various Southern African and Native American folklores share similar themes.

Kelly Slater is, then, in good company when it comes to turtle appreciation. The 11-time world surfing champion dressed up as a turtle, once, and released a sandal with turtle shell/moon markings. The press release read, “Kelly was particularly moved by the mysterious and special relationship between the moon and the sea turtle. Turtles hae 13 large scales that represent the 13 lunar cycles in each year and 28 smaller scales that represent the days in each cycle. As a tribute to these coexisting forces, Kelly designed the top of the sandal to mirror the moon’s surface while the bottom sole to represent the turtle’s scales.”

Buy turt-moons here.

Even better than honoring the turtle with a sandal, Slater, it appears, has gone one better with the birth of his son. The baby boy was introduced to the world almost a year ago, now, the 53-year-old telling Barton Lynch, “We got a little boy and my friends think we’re playing a game with him because we haven’t said the name. Because we actually, we actually don’t call him anything. We gave him a name for his birth certificate but, as of now, we don’t have a name to call him. So, we’re kind of just, like, letting him figure out his personality.”

Well, it appears that, like papa, little baby Tao, as the name was revealed to be after many months of anticipation, shares his father’s personality.

While many assumed the name to be related to the venerable Chinese philosophy, an eagle-ear’d listener to The Grit! Podcast shared that “Tao” is also “turtle” in Thai.

Now, this could be considered a fun coincidence except Slater’s main business, Firewire Surfboards, are manufactured in Thailand.

So there we have it.

The rounding of the shell.

Listen for more talk about Italo Ferreira’s new perfume venture here.

"The wave with more wall is missing, which allowed you to show all your surf."

Hours ago, the surf world was stunned to oblivion when the best little wave surfer ever created (save those making magic in wave pools) was ingloriously jettisoned from Brazil’s signature event. Chris Cote et. al. referred to Filipe Toledo as the King of Rio, a very true statement though, for 16 gorgeous hours, he was also King of Teahupo’o. No one, never and always, can critique the San Clemente transplant’s skill in waves ar0und knee high.

And yet.

Today he fell to countryman Miguel Pupo likely ending his chance to surf ledging Fijian barrels for an opportunity for a third world title.

Shattering.

But, shockingly, not Toledo’s fault.

His father took to social media in the aftermath of the stunning defeat to share the assessment:

It was a tough day at Saquarema. The battery had few waves, the sea didn’t help, and Filipe ended up being overtaken by Miguel Pupo in the final moments.

During the dispute, he still had a broken board and needed to change equipment — one more obstacle in an already complicated battery. The wave with more wall is missing, which allowed you to show all your surf.

Thank you all for your support and love, as always. We’re still standing firm. All the time!

Surf fans, everywhere, immediately understanding. “Wave with more wall” under 2 feet, not above 4 feet, plus horrible surfboards to blame.

Light a candle for House Toledo, tonight, plus begin a petition to have Filipe Toledo included in the final Finals Day due this extreme injustice.

Thank you for your service.

All the time.

Gutted.

This is the final year that surf fans will get to enjoy the World Surf League’s dramatic “Final Five” format. Rolled out a baby handful of years ago, the change sought to mimic the thrilling Pipeline final in 2019 betwixt numbers one and two Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreira. Winner take all. The League, then fronted by former CEO Erik Logan, decided that California’s Lower Trestles would be the best approximation of Da Banzai and hosted three consecutive Final Fives on those cobbled stone.

Small swell wizard Filipe Toledo winning two of them before stepping away for a mental health year.

Now, grumpy surf aficionados oft insist that Toledo’s two cups should come with silver asterisks attached, seeing that the diminutive Brazilian once refused to paddle any consequential wave, most notably at Teahupo’o and Pipeline. What they conveniently forget is when surfing’s ground was forever shifted at the 2024 Paris Olympics wherein Toledo wrangled a 9.67 tube halfway across the world, at the Place of Broken Skulls, and was crowned “King of Teahupo’o.”

While his glorious reign lasted less than 16 hours, it showed the li’l lion’s potential and, thus, surf devotees were very excited when it was announced that this final Final Five will be conducted at Cloudbreak, a monstrous and scary left. A chance for House Toledo to establish itself once more.

Alas, moments ago the forever young 30-year-old suffered stunning defeat at the Rio Pro, falling to countryman Miguel Pupo in the dying seconds of the round of 16. Pupo snagging a right under priority and bashing slashing on his backhand, only taking time out to celebrate mid-wave. He was rewarded with the necessary number, vanquishing Toledo and sending him sliding down the rankings. He is currently 8th, three spots out of a Cloudbreak invitation, but likely to slip more depending on how the rest of the contest plays out. Only two events remain in the season, J-Bay and Teahupo’o, and might surfing’s best-ever story be in the works?

Filipe Toledo wrangling a Tahitian Titan to punch his ticket to Fiji for the last frame?

Stay tuned!