Did The Surf World Avoid A Competitive Apocalypse By Swerving Netflix? - Stab Mag
665 Views
Dirk Ziff. The judge, jury, and executioner of professional surfing. Photo: DUKE Surf

Did The Surf World Avoid A Competitive Apocalypse By Swerving Netflix?

A chat about our sport’s fragility on this week’s pod.

elsewhere // Nov 13, 2022
Words by Christian Bowcutt
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Professional surfing as we know it can apparently be taken away with one stroke of a pen. 

If Dirk Ziff would’ve agreed to sign on the dotted line — thereby selling the WSL to Netflix — our precious little world could’ve changed drastically (or disappeared altogether). We’re learning that this whole competitive surfing thing is a business and not a democracy after all. 

Mikey and Buck dive deeper into this topic and more on this week’s episode of The Drop. All topics have been listed and timecode here for those who kicked and screamed if mommy didn’t cut their crusts off:

– The Noa v. Rasta Rob surf-off (2:00)
– The JJF Interview (11:00)
– Who wants to buy the WSL? (21:15)
– Don’t drop in on Kala Grace (27:22)
SEOTY Update
– Surf Sin (37:00)

We also hear the voice of our beloved castaway, John John Florence, as he chats with Stab co-founder Sam McIntosh in the most vulnerable interview we’ve ever seen from the 2x Champ. There are extra tidbits here you don’t read in the interview — John digs more into his coming-of-age and passion for photography and movie-making, among other topics. 

This week’s Surf Sin is also the most damning yet. I won’t spoil it but involves Stab Highway, a baby sent airborne, and a disgruntled wife. 

Also, we have a double dose for you this week — if you’re curious about what’s going on strictly in the world of competitive surfing, listen to Mikey and Stace’s post-Saquarema chat here

Tune your airwaves into The Drop on whichever platform you elect (Apple, Spotify, Soundcloud).

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Could We Please Ask A Significant Favor?  

SITD X requires more literage.

Feb 24, 2026

What Surfing Should Learn From The Winter Olympics

Thank fuck that’s not us!

Feb 22, 2026

World Champs And WSL President Reject Surfing’s New Olympic Qualification System, Demand Revisions From ISA

Yago Dora, Caity Simmers, Ryan Crosby and more take a stand.

Feb 21, 2026

Hemp In The Athlete Zone, Pipe Master On Hypto Kryptos, Freesurfers Monetize Loneliness

This is the new order of operations — a Q1 industry report.

Feb 20, 2026

“It Was Like the Fourth of July. The Kitchen Sink’s Shattering. The Curtains Are On Fire. I Was Just Swimming Though Black Smoke.”

Kolohe Andino recalls the Gold Coast apartment fire that almost took everything.

Feb 20, 2026

Watch: Dane Reynolds Quizzes The Reigning World Champ | StabMic Episode 02

Yago Dora on his title year, the Volcom x Dad split, EAST over SITD, CT…

Feb 19, 2026

What I Learned Shooting Stab in the Dark with Kelly Slater

These innocuous observations from 11 days working with the greatest surfer of all time. 

Feb 18, 2026

Why Aren’t There More European Freesurfers?

Charly Quivront's new film, 'Who Is Charly?,' helps explain it.

Feb 18, 2026

Ferrari Boyz: Mikey Wright’s Apocalypse-Proof Ram 3500 Mega Cab

A daily driver with a 9-ton towing capacity.

Feb 17, 2026

Kurt Van Dyke, Renowned Californian Surfer, Brutally Murdered in Costa Rica

The 66-year-old was discovered under his bed with multiple stab wounds and a knife nearby.

Feb 17, 2026

Rebuttal: Never Stop Watching Surf Movies 

Social media makes us anxious and depressed. Surf content does not.

Feb 16, 2026

How Italo Ferreira Bought His Way Into Nike, The Reality Of Fatherhood, And Embracing Global Scrutiny

The Stab Interview with the most sleep-deprived man in surfing.

Feb 13, 2026

Will A GOAT Bite On Gnaraloo’s $17 Million Price Tag?

World Champs and Hollywood circle a red-dirt kingdom that can never truly be owned.

Feb 13, 2026

Dane Reynolds On His Favorite Surfer, Storytelling Through Surf Media, And Releasing Former’s New Film

Our first official episode of StabMic is live. 

Feb 12, 2026

Watch: Episode 03 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

The untold story behind the GOAT’s split from CI + a three-layer wax cake theory.

Feb 11, 2026

Why You Should Stop Watching Surf Videos*

Instagram reels and the twisted fantasy of the parasocial surfing life.

Feb 9, 2026

Breaking: Rogue Boat Plows Through Steamer Lane, Capsizes With Family Of Six Onboard

Stab writer Holden Trnka saves a kid, gives a first hand report.

Feb 8, 2026

Watch: How $13M And 70,000 Tons Of Granite Changed An Australian Surf Town Forever

A documentary on Midds Reef — the world's best artificial wave — by Rhys Jones.

Feb 7, 2026
Advertisement