"It's a slap in the face."

Almost one week ago, now, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul stunned no one by laying waste to yet another aged pugilist. This time, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., basically 40, played punching bag to the much younger Paul who won by unanimous decision. Ahead of the fight, the World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman told ESPN, “The WBC ratings committee has been following Jake Paul’s career. If he defeats Chavez, and depending on how the fight plays out, the committee will make the decision. It’s very likely [Paul will be ranked] if he wins convincingly.”

Well, true to word, the committee found Paul’s win convincing, along with his 12-1 record against retirees, and slotted him 14th in the world (cruiserweight div.), giving him a clear path to the title.

The only one small little problem, the 14th slot was previously occupied by Craig Parker, 20-0 (all by knockout), who was pushed down to 15th on the WBC rankings. Craig, 34, shared with TMZ that he was “disgusted” by the move, adding, “For him just to take a position that guys like me that struggled to find ways to the gym and … it’s a long road to be where we’re at. And for him to just be No. 14, it was just like a slap in the face.”

Professional surfers around the globe nodded heads in sad agreement.

But how many World Surf League Qualifying Series grinders have worked their way up the rankings for a shot at a Championship Tour event wildcard in the last three years only to be told that it would be given to one Kelly Slater. While the 11-time champ is maybe a draw to the casual surf fan, aficionados know that he has zero shot and is simply filling space, keeping a bit of limelight and cockblocking hopefuls then complaining about it all. Slater’s off-handed “I’d rather be in Australia” and “I’m injured plus not feeling it” after losing to Barron Mamiya in the elimination round at Lowers a real knife twist to Winter Vincent, Dimitri Poulos, Oscar Berry et. al.

Over to you, now. Is fairness in ranking important or is sport just entertainment and, thus, the most entertaining should have the opportunity to play?

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Pro just over the horizon?

Where surfers are able to practice our favorite pastime has exploded over the past decade. Once confined to coastal areas with waves, we can now surf in Waco, Texas, Rusty Plunge, Australia, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, basically, as Jeep foretold, “the world.”

Still, the announcement of the sprawling Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in North Korea’s bottom third sent shivers up spines.

Described as “North Korea’s Waikiki” by South Korean media, Wonsan features sand-front luxury towers, waterslides and possibly soon a Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch. The 11x World Champion has much experience building wave pools using happy laborers who live in company housing while riding company busses to and from the job site.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shared, “The guests’ hearts were filled with overwhelming emotion as they felt the astonishing new heights of our-style tourism culture blossoming under the era of the Workers’ Party astonished by the grandeur and splendor of the tourist city, which can accommodate nearly 20,000 people.”

Kim Jong-Un toured paradise with his wife and daughter and seemed to be very pleased with what he saw, saying it would go down as “one of the greatest successes this year.”

Russian tourists are expected to begin arriving next week, many likely bringing surfboards and also making it feel like “North Korea’s Bali.”

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Pro just over the horizon?

How much, you think, for North Korea to woo the World Surf League?

Exciting days.

"We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry."

The controversial rapper formerly known as Kanye West has officially had his Australian visa revoked by the Commonwealth after releasing songs praising Adolf Hitler many months ago and declaring on X that he was a Nazi and loved Hitler. Ye has since recanted, once again taking to X to share, “I am done with antisemitism. I love all people. God forgive me for the pain I’ve caused. I forgive those who have caused me pain. Thank you God.” But the Australian government clearly did not find the walk-back suitable and canceled his ability to enjoy the country even though it is home to his wife, Bianca Censori.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained, “It was a lower level (visa) and the officials still looked at the law and said you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia,” before unloading a double-barreled blast at Australian surfers.

“We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”

Australian surfers immediately knowing the “problem” is them.

The government spends many millions of dollars a year subsidizing surf training camps, funding surf competitions via tourism board dollars etc. with millions more being spent by the private sector on various boardriders feeding systems et. al. and yet only one male Australian surfer is currently in the World Surf League’s “Final Five,” Ethan Ewing, and just barely. Jack Robinson, at seven, the only other Australian with any hope at all.

A damning truth.

Also implied in Burke’s statement that Australian surfers are bigoted enough all by themselves.

No telling if the kick in the daks will spur revitalization.

No Ye West concerts, in any case, either way.

Are you excited for J-Bay?

More as the story develops.