Surf Legend Robert ‘Wingnut’ Weaver Left Hanging After Kolohe High Fives O’Neill

Robert “Wingnut” Weaver is best known as the affable and comedic co-star of ‘The Endless Summer 2’. Originally born in Cologne, Germany, Wingnut turned up in Newport, California as a 16-year-old with an innate talent for cross-stepping and toe-hanging that caught the attention of legendary surf filmmaker, Bruce Brown. 

As a longboard-only purist, Outside magazine noted, “He’s one of the best longboarders and nose riders of the modern era,” adding, “he’s always cheerful, always peppy, always entertaining, and always optimistic.”

In 92’ and 93’, after graduating from UCSC with a BA of Economics, Wingnut, with funding from O’Neill, traveled the world shooting the iconic sequel to ‘The Endless Summer’ with Bruce Brown and shortboarding co-star, Pat O’Connell — former tour surfer, WSL event commissioner, and the current president of John Florence’s outerwear label, Florence Marine X. 

In 1997, Weaver became the director of the O’Neill Surf Academy in Europe, conducting instructional classes sponsored by industry giant O’Neill Wetsuits in England, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy. Weaver later moved on to high-end private lessons ($2,500 a day), and is regarded as one of the sport’s finest instructors. 

But now, Wingnut and O’Neill’s 30-year partnership has come to an end. Uncanny timing with the six-figure signing of young stud and recent baby-daddy, Kolohe ‘Brother’ Andino. 

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On IG Wingnut says, “A new year and time for a change. For the past 30+ years, O’Neill has been my sponsor and the family has treated me as a friend. From before Endless Summer 2 til now. This year a new opportunity is coming. But my respect for the family and Brand will never diminish! Thank you!”

I think it is very comforting and astonishing that at 57-year-old surfers can be making public contract termination announcements and talking ‘new opportunities’ in the same breath. God I feel young. But it makes you wonder, “did Kolohe steal all the Wingnut funds?”

No more on this conspiracy to come.