This Has Been A Chaotic Week In Surfing

There will be no world champion of surfing crowned this year. 

We could argue about how long, exactly, it’s been since that statement last rang true. It’s hard to draw a clear line in the muddlement of the ASP, IPS, ISF, etc, but most folks seem to accept either 1973 or 1976 as the year of our first real champion. 

Along with the cancelation of the 2020 tour, the WSL formalized the overhaul of changes they’ve been considering for the past few years. With so much uncertainty at the moment, it’s hard to imagine the long-term impact this all will have on professional surfing. However, it is far from our most significant story of the week. 

Unfortunately, the passing of Derek Ho is. 

Derek — who won one of the aforementioned World Titles in 1993, the first for a Hawaiian surfer — suffered a fatal heart attack late last week. The term “inspiration” is often employed as a generic compliment instead of being reserved for someone who genuinely ignites a fire in others. Derek Ho was an inspiration in that way. He spent his life obsessing over, toying with and cherishing the sensations of surfing — all the while maintaining the excitement, the enthusiasm, the positive energy that sucked us all into it to begin with. 

The only thing more impressive than watching a 55-year-old man arch his back while standing inside a bomb at Pipe is the pure smile he’d wear while kicking out. 

The world, as we’ve all observed, continues to spin in the absence of an 11-stop series of events designed to discern who in the world is best at riding waves. However, it feels like it spins a little different when you lose somebody like Derek. 

Get a wave in his honor this week, and smile for him when you kick out. 

The news of Derek’s passing was Stab’s most viewed story of the week. Instead of linking to that post, I’ll start with a collection of tributes from around the surf world. 

The Surfing World Pays Tribute To Derek Ho

Suffice to say, the man had an impact on many.

WSL Says The 2021 Tour Will START In Hawaii, Finish At A “Mystery Location” In September

Who saw this coming? Answer: Everyone. Including you, even if this is the first surf-related story you’ve read in several years — assuming you read the intro. If you please, dive in for the details of another World Tour for COVID to likely dismantle. Or you could read this story about the plan to have speciality events this year. 

Kelly Slater’s Under The Radar Waco Pool Strike!

In late 2015, Kelly Slater won Adriano de Souza’s World Title when footage of his wave pool first dropped. This was the first time he’s been seen experimenting with any other wave pool since. And of course, that translates to many clicks. 

Now, is this the future? 

You should hold notions about wetsuit fashion (oxymoron?) and defend those notions with boldness, determination, and physical force when need be. And so now, a personal question: Is the long arm spring officially back? They are certainly trending. Get a freshy if you need one, or shout at the clouds in the comments. 

Or is this the future?  

A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. It was technically the past but have you really not clicked yet? 

One thing about SITD is that it always leaves me with an itch to learn more about surfboards, about surfing. You get that, too? 

Where are all the hunks? 

It is not uncommon for mainstream media to highlight a female surfer in the form of a body issue, swimsuit issue, major fashion shoot, etc. It’s often done tastefully and serves as great publicity for the women of our sport. This year, Courtney Conlogue, Caroline Marx, and Malia Manuel starred in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. All three of them finished in the top 10 on the CT last year, which is awesome. 

Without further ado, or reason whatsoever, here are three top 10 fellas I think should star in a mildly sexual male equivalent. 

-Filipe Toledo. He may be wiry but don’t let that allow you to overlook the power you could generate through a rapid succession of thrusts. 

-Jordy Smith (because nipples). 

-John John Florence. With the clean-cut image of Hurley a thing of his past, I picture JJF on a sailboat all rugged and scraggly, with a wild look in his eyes, kind of distant, you know, like he would fuck anybody. 

Have we told you about Surf100?

It’s our passion project of the past two (three, four?) months, and it’s gonna be awesome. Or terrible. We honestly have no clue but we hope you’ll join us here on July 30.

One last thing: 

How does this make you feel?