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

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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).

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