Robbie Williams et. al. melt hearts.
Robbie Williams et. al. melt hearts.

Question: Does the World Surf League need an anthem like FIFA?

"Love is the law, and it's raging like a fire. You've got the ball, and you're driven by desire."

Just over a decade ago, now, the Association of Surfing Professionals was acquired by a reclusive Florida billionaire and rebranded the World Surf League to much fanfare. Paul Speaker, the first CEO, felt very bullish about the enterprise, declaring it would one day be a major sport, even bigger than the NFL, as opposed to some silly backwater that regularly failed to crack even ESPN Ocho coverage.

Well, things, as they say, didn’t quite turn out. Oh, professional surfing is great fun and the audience has certainly expanded due the explosion of social media and smart devices but it still lags far behind others, very much including the NFL.

Last year’s Super Bowl, for example, drew 125.6 million viewers.

Much, no?

Not even a drop in the bucket compared to this year’s FIFA final which snared 1.5 billion eyeballs.

Wowza.

Soccer, let’s be quite honest, ain’t that fun to watch with the low scores and ridiculous theatrics so might the hugely robust numbers be due the fact that FIFA has an anthem?

The first was first rolled out in 1994 though updated 2004, again in 2018 and fully re-jiggered, this year, by Robbie Williams.

Desire is a pop smash with lyrics that declare:

Dignity for the weak in the arms of the brave
To the ones we lost and the souls they saved
One thing unites us, and the best is yet to come
We know who we are and what must be done

Despite the fury, the hope, the hate
If the devil rides, we will make him wait
Love is the law, and it’s raging like a fire
You’ve got the ball, and you’re driven by desire (ooh)

Aim high, fly by, destiny’s in front of you (ooh)
It’s a beautiful game, and the dream is coming true
One love, one kind, this life’s in love with you (ooh)
You chase the sun, and the world will run with you

Desire (Official FIFA Anthem)

It is impossible not to be moved and couldn’t the World Surf League follow the same growth strategy and adopt an anthem?

If you had a say in the matter, who would write and perform?

Pennywise?

Watch Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini rock the FIFA finals here.

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Strayan Cunt
Strayan Cunt
2 months ago

Given this some thought at work today and this old classic pretty well sums up my current feelings about the tour. This is such a sick clip and I see so many possible BG regs in that band so can ya guess who I’m seeing on each different instrument haha. Thats definitely my brother Beefy up front in his white leather jumpsuit belting it out haha, get up em Beefy ya sick cunt yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=G7gBZmQXn14&list=RDG7gBZmQXn14&start_radio=1&ra=m

Picard Madeoff
Picard Madeoff
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

I prefer Dwight Yoakam’s version, if only because he isn’t as drug addled as the King!

Kwan
Kwan
2 months ago

A man of many faces, free/longy/tom tom, literally screamed across the planet, callin’ me to wade. In… not out… Just not too deep. Well shallow wadin’s not my style, I don’t mind the trenches. So what’s this then?

‘I remember the good old days when Chas would troll and pick fights with Inertia and Stab before he became a soccer dad.’

Very carefully waded… keep the swillnuts… out, in… in, out… bread… butter… loaves… fishes… feed… mouths… God only knows…

Someone raised the topic of rehab… again…

The WSL. Gun panel beaters have a favorite saying. As do gun health and fitness trainers, I mean, your body is the vehicle, right?

‘Ya can’t panel beat rust.’ And like Neil said, ‘rust don’t sleep’. It just keeps on rustin’.

The WSL are all time, all world, all galaxy, all cosmos rusted on, slow learners… And although he’ll never, ever, ever, ever, never, ever utter it, even under his baited breath… deep down, sleeper cell longy/free/tom tom knows… so are the swillnuts… again…

Some might call it ‘twinning’. Some might call it ‘doublin’ down’ agin’… but…

Did I mention someone raised the topic of rehab… agin’…

Here’s a gem on many levels. Remembering that Bud won, on many levels. No brain damage… for one. Unlike Horn, Spence, even Canelo.

There’s the old fave in there too, one of many. ‘Ya learn from ya mistakes… mistakes is…’ Bud won that one too. Fuck learnin’ from mistakes…

https://youtu.be/_NNNVg48Eb8

Preventable injuries in the gym, training, are huge, costly mistakes. I’ve been passionate, deep in the gym, for over 55 years, longer than even Bud’s been alive. Rehabbed plenty of supposedly impossible to fix people. I can remember a rehab ‘spezshallust’ who did podcasts with slatts, about his mate, another ‘rehab spezshallust’ fixin’ slatts, agin’… but… before the major surgeries, not all of ’em but… made a point of wanting to meet and speak to me. Hilarious. That was fun. ‘Naaar no injuries aaayye… not me… but… agin’…

‘Naar don’t them… coz me shouldas… they ‘urt like shite’…

‘Aaaye, but I though ya said… Well here then, they hurt because… so see, that’s how to do them properly, pain free, rehab for free too…’

There’s a zillion gun toters in the gym. Experts in all the buzzwords, max intensity, constant tension, funtionality, etc, etc, etc. Real hard nuts. Except. He was no exception.

Soon to be literally brought to his knees. Sweating like a pig, gasping like a beached guppy. ‘FFS muscles, ya only managed six fucking reps, we were aiming for 15, and your shoulders aren’t hurting in the slightest. I did fucking twenty, twice the weight, twice your fucking age… don’t fuckin’ throw up in here…’

The Australian Navy Collins Class subs used to stop in the bay back in Lincoln right out in front of the gym. Their version of the ‘Seal’ would come in. I used to love mucking around with them. Same deal, except they were fast learners, stoked to learn life skills.

Anyway. There’s other ways to learn, mistake style is costly, Russian roulette. But who gives a fuck, like it or lump it.

Imagine watching Bud v Canelo…

WSL style. The ring floor just collapsed… after the ropes fell off. One fighter has only one glove with holes in it. But the fighters are hoping for a restart, so they both just sit in the corner for half the fight, until one throws an ‘amazing incredible human jab’, that misses… because… Then the non stop flotilla of sales pitch footage and slathering blathering.
Culminating in, ‘Wow what an amazing winery… hopefully we can get up a replay of the knockout’ …

That’s the WSL anthem in a nutshell.

Rust never sleeps.

And don’t forget about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. That repeated mistake is even more costly, down deep, in the long run. What being ‘humane’ really means.

Brutus
Brutus
2 months ago
Reply to  Kwan

now that could be………. a BG magna Carta..LOL

Michael Flatlately
Michael Flatlately
2 months ago

Those fifa clowns couldn’t even get a sponsor for their hydration breaks.

7dollarsurfboard
7dollarsurfboard
2 months ago

If Kelly gets wind that the WSL are looking for an anthem he’ll insist its one of his acoustic tracks that’s actually about all him,

Otto
Otto
2 months ago
tim_nelsen
tim_nelsen
2 months ago
Reply to  Otto

“I won’t go…” Amy Winehouse

Strayan Cunt
Strayan Cunt
2 months ago

What would the BG theme tune be?

Brutus
Brutus
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

” Very Superficial” Stevie Wonder,LOL

deeks
deeks
2 months ago
Reply to  Brutus

Primus .. south Park theme

Capt Sensible
Capt Sensible
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

Pissmo beach by the physcotic turnbuckles

Abscessed Llama
Abscessed Llama
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

Just add “WSL Street” as you sing along.. https://youtu.be/OWK9pdiyay8?si=j1sYuzLOE1K0RTin

Instalo Feedeira
Instalo Feedeira
2 months ago

Nah the best part of the WSL broadcast is when they zoom out the camera to a wide shot of the break, no comentators speaking no ads just silence and a few waves crashing on the background. Would hate for that to be disturbed by a michelob ultra half time show

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
2 months ago

I remember the good old days when Chas would troll and pick fights with Inertia and Stab before he became a soccer dad.

Barnycle
Barnycle
2 months ago

An early effort. He’s all growed up and mature now.

https://beachgrit.com/2016/09/stab-and-the-cauldron-of-cowardice/

deeks
deeks
2 months ago
Reply to  Barnycle

1 comment ?! Wtf

phldirt
phldirt
2 months ago

He should be digging into the fact that Stab scrubbed their StabMic episode about the Florence brand with Ryan Hurley from their site and YouTube. I caught a glimpse of some of the comments before it was pulled, and they were brutal.

BograilCutback
BograilCutback
2 months ago
Reply to  phldirt

This ^^^

Pauly Matt War-Shore
Pauly Matt War-Shore
2 months ago
Reply to  phldirt

Do tell. Was gonna listen but figured it would be as boring as batshit

phldirt
phldirt
2 months ago

I was half listening to the episode, but a couple things caught my ear. He was talking about supporting the surf community while at the same time not needing/wanting to sponsor any other surfers. He acknowledged that surf brands have been destroyed by going public, then at the same time saying they envision the brand similar to the “Jordan” brand.

Just seems like odd/mixed messaging. But to be fair, I may have missed some of the context. Either way, it was more the comment section just calling the guy a kook over and over

Barnycle
Barnycle
2 months ago
Reply to  phldirt

That’s incredible that it’s gone. I’ve always thought that the reason they get everyone was because they promise good PR. Now that that didn’t work on this episode they remove it. And the Hurley chap didn’t even want to do it, he had to be chased down.

Fella literally said he didn’t need any more surfers on the team and would hire an F1 driver if he had been, hypothetically, given an unlimited budget. A kook, in truth.

It may be the first time I’ve ever seen a piece of media before it was immediately scrubbed from the internet.

Dogsnuts
Dogsnuts
2 months ago

Yeah but he doesn’t really care for this place anymore. The courage of his convictions is not there.
Xox

Capt Sensible
Capt Sensible
2 months ago

A bit like calling rashies ” jerseys ” , non elemination rounds , warm up days , the cutline and the never to be forgotten finals day , go ahead it will be shit anyway.

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
2 months ago
Strayan Cunt
Strayan Cunt
2 months ago

Pinchy booted or self deleted?

@TheRealJackMeoff
@TheRealJackMeoff
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

Nah he’ll be back.
As predictable as a herpes blister on date night.

deeks
deeks
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

Repacking his wounded vagina

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
2 months ago
Reply to  Strayan Cunt

Gotta be booted

Strayan Cunt
Strayan Cunt
2 months ago

Na hes back beautiful !!

Com Turren
Com Turren
2 months ago

It’s the WSL
business ain’t doing well
relying on handouts
begging for a buyout

Ledger’s in the red
It’d be better off dead
off to the corporate heaven
they call Chapter 11

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
2 months ago
Reply to  Com Turren

7.5

Com Turren
Com Turren
2 months ago

anything over a 5 is high praise coming from you!

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved
2 months ago
Reply to  Com Turren

I do like a rhyming couplet.

deeks
deeks
2 months ago

Would bang

tim_nelsen
tim_nelsen
2 months ago
Reply to  Com Turren

DSS&S would disagree. He’s got that market covered. Or did?

Phil's Wart
Phil's Wart
2 months ago

Smut peddlers : Fuck you that’s why.

Stick man
Stick man
2 months ago

We walk on two legs, not on four
To walk on four legs breaks the law!

munnstrosity
munnstrosity
2 months ago
Reply to  Stick man

What happens when we break the law?

Blowin
Blowin
2 months ago

Three unrelated things :

1/About the only bit I enjoy about the World Cup is the irony in watching the retards cry with sadness / joy as to the fortunes of their country’s team after spending 3.99999 out of every 4 years acting as though national pride is a one way street to being Hitler. Tell me this doesn’t sound like something you’d sing as you marched on Poland :

“Dignity for the weak in the arms of the brave
To the ones we lost and the souls they saved
One thing unites us, and the best is yet to come
We know who we are and what must be done”

2/ Anyone else feel the slightest twinge of humour-tinged sympathy when they imagine the pitch from the money-men producers as they somehow convinced Robbie Williams that his biopic would be best served with him portrayed by a cartoon monkey? Poof fucker. No one is watching that.

3 / Did any Americans ever see the Sarge’s Surfing Scrapbook series of surf movies back in the day? Was just wondering as one of them came on my YouTube yeterday and I realised they were perhaps bigger than Momentum etc amongst most Aussies I knew.

Phil's Wart
Phil's Wart
2 months ago
Reply to  Blowin

Would you share a room with sarge?

Blowin
Blowin
2 months ago
Reply to  Phil's Wart

No. I’m also positive that Sarge wouldn’t want to share a room with me.

But if I was to avoid all media produced by degenerates then I would have spent about 99% less time in front of a TV or movie screen.

Brutus
Brutus
2 months ago
Reply to  Blowin

looking in a mirror?

Rich Marx
Rich Marx
2 months ago
Reply to  Blowin

Fascists will hate it from the opening line alone.

Blowin
Blowin
2 months ago
Reply to  Rich Marx
ricmatic
ricmatic
2 months ago
Reply to  Blowin

You’re on fire today

Brutus
Brutus
2 months ago
Reply to  Blowin

Any progress on your accepting the fact that you are not ethnically Australian…..not sure why you can/t won’t continue the discussion we were having…and I ask the question again/still…….if you can’t answer because it threatens your identity, sense of self….understand….just don’t come back on here with anymore of that white is right shit!

“FFS blowin…..all your talk of marxist fraud/Hate and now accusations of me purposely insulting you ,by calling out your comments to,” socially disenfranchise and culturally alienate you, and in turn cast you adrift with no sense of identity or belonging,”….WOW , FFS blowing you just nailed your own insecurities as an Australian….”

so how about trying to answer……??

Rich Marx
Rich Marx
2 months ago

It should be a cover of Bro Hymn with the lyrics changed to be about Kelly Slater.

ricmatic
ricmatic
2 months ago

You want catchy? Nothing says hook like quarter tones and odd time..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OIc-DBRXM

Dogsnuts
Dogsnuts
2 months ago
Reply to  ricmatic

AI music eating itself.
Xox

ricmatic
ricmatic
2 months ago
Reply to  Dogsnuts

Suno getting a lot of co writes coming up

Tom House
Tom House
2 months ago

Okay, I’ll bite: What’s the World Surf League?

SaltyHB
SaltyHB
2 months ago
Reply to  mike m

The late great Ron Wilson.


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