Who’s Taylor Steele Profiling? What’s Alana Blanchard Riding? And What Icon Of Surf Is Returning To Oz?

Much like the pious #influencers who apologize to #instafam following the days they–god forbid–didn’t post, Gossip Girl extends a limp wrist and an insincere sorry for being on vacay over the past week or two.

But don’t panic! This angel is back with highlights in her hair, gold hoops in her ears, and light glitter around her eyes!

Here are the juicy bits dangling from the ribs of surf, like right now.

Which California heartthrob’s got a Taylor Steele profile film in the works?

Griffin Colapinto is California’s great (future) World Title hope, or so he’s called. That is if we forget Kolohe Andino (currently sitting number 5 on the CT).

Even while Kolohe has a strong start to the season, Griff Colapinto appears to be the San Clementine touted as the man who can bring the first title back to California (have you seen his recent Box drainer??) since Tom Curren’s dominant run in the 90s.

Billabong has tapped Taylor Steele to come out of semi-retirement, and take a break from remembering the Momentum Gen to direct the US prodigy’s profile film.

Will this be Griff’s version of Kelly Slater’s Black and White (a film many believe Taylor Steele directed, though it was actually Richard Woolcott)? We guess we’ll find out on the morning of the finals…

Take an educated guess: What is Alana Blanchard riding?

While Jordy can’t get a Pyzel beneath his feet, supermom, vegan blogger and wife of Jack Freestone has employed the marital Laws of Transitive Property, and like Jack swapped her DHD for a single-Jon.

This was only a matter of time; baby Banks will be on them soon. They’ll all be fiddle fit, vegan, ripping and boasting Instagram followings that a plant-based product pusher can’t help but pursue for “organic” promotion.

And now for the board swap that could have easily went under your radar, but didn’t!

Adriano de Souza, 2015 World Champ/runner-up to a synthetic wave, and expert in the seven dollar surfboard, has switched over to James “Chili” Cheal’s shapes. Not that you would know, it’s hard to find a shaper logo between all those stickers. And if you’re wondering just what in the hell ADS was riding before making this swap, Channel Islands Surfboards is your answer.

This is something our Dear Michael Ciaramella is bummed about due to his fond memories of once getting hand-me-down team boards that ADS rode and discarded to use as step ups.

He shouldn’t be too sad, however, because of Michael’s place as are our resident board tester, he has one of the finest quivers in surf media, and at something like 19-liters, no one else can ride them.

The Yin and Yang is making a hard push in Australia.

After one of our favorite Vans collaborations of the last few years, Town and Country, the classic foam and fiberglass manufacturer founded in 1971 by Craig Sugihara in Pearl City, Hawaii, and driven by shaper Glenn Pang (amongst others) is making a triumphant return to Australia.

As nostalgia wafts its lovely scent and the 90s remain the fashion flavor of the year, the 80s are coming in hot on the heels. And while many will recall the brand from the eponymous Nintendo game featuring Thrilla Gorilla, we fondly recall the iconically airbrushed ‘80s twin fins, and ‘90s thrusters under the feet of Martin Potter, Dane Kealoha, Sunny Garcia, Larry Bertleman, Chris Ward, Bobby Martinez, and Shea Lopez.

And like any good brand (re)entering a healthy market, they’ve been headhunting indigenous talent, looking to add a few Australian standouts to a team that currently includes Billy Kemper, Kekoa Bacalso, and ‘CT rookie/Keramas giant killer, Brisa Hennessy.

That’s all for now!

Until next time XOXO,

GG