Write Something Hard, Win Something Soft - Stab Mag

Live Now — New Episode Of How Surfers Get Paid — Agents & Managers

437 Views
Letty Mortensen paints the town rouge, not pink. Photo: Nate Leal

Write Something Hard, Win Something Soft

Got Stab Highway challenge ideas?

elsewhere // Jul 29, 2020
Words by Pedro Ramos
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Knee-paddling toward me, an Australian lifeguard — at a beach made world-famous just for their “rescues” — had a proper go at me for riding a pointy thruster “between the flags” during a busy summer day.

Flags?

It wasn’t until I was berated by the chiseled man in tiny swimming attire, jaw square and full of teeth white as freshly fallen snow, that I began to consider giving a soft-top a go.

While many relationships have been sunk by hard-edged thrusters, soft tops may actually help keep them afloat. Letty Mortensen and ami in Hossegor. Photo: Jon Bakio

I was lucky enough to find one in the basement of my shared house, left behind by a previous tenant. I took it out right “between the flags” and into a very fun rip bowl. But once again, I managed to attract the attention of another large Australian man, who just looked at me and said, “Mate, your board is pink!” His lower lip curled in disgust.

It was, in fact, pink. Guess you can’t win, can you?

Well, turns out you can. Read on to find out how…

No grump has ever been seen holding a soft top. Maud Le Car, post-surf grin in Biarritz.

The most astute listeners of The Drop have probably figured out by now where the rolling degeneracy of Stab Highway will take place next. Starting off in the state that birthed a GOAT and driving over 1,000 miles north to the heart of Gotham for the final challenge, our 2024 teams will be hitting the Eastern Seaboard soon.

Some challenges are now part of the furniture, and we couldn’t find it in our hearts to toss them. But with new territory comes a world of possibility, and as much as we relish conjuring challenges that test our contestants’ athletic ability and emotional endurance, we’d love to hear your ideas too.

The ultimate acid-drop board? William Aliotti storms Capbreton.
Photo: Jon Bakio

Our friends at Softdogsurf will be giving away one of their boards, which have been tried, tested, and endured 10 days of some of the most demanding of the 120 challenges in Stab Highway Europe.
All we’re asking is that you summon that inner degenerate and submit challenges that may (or may not) make it into our 2024 Stab Highway Booklet.

No strings attached — the board is yours to acid drop off bunkers, ride ferry waves on, bomb hills, surf waveless river mouths, paddle-battle your friends, meet half-naked strangers; have at it. No hair set on fire, no wearing speedos for a week, nor subsisting on clam chowder for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner for days on end.

This is a judgment-free area. Photo: Guilherme Martins

Oh, and we’re throwing in a Premium subscription with that, which you’ll need to watch the new season of Stab Highway in its entirety.


Re-watch:

Stab Highway Europe presented by Monster Energy

Stab Highway California presented by Monster Energy

Stab Highway Australia presented by Monster Energy

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

Where The Hell Did Gabriela Bryan Come From?

Stab Interview: the 23-year-old Kauaian who grabbed the tour and shook it.

Aug 30, 2025

One Shaper Is Responsible For 50% Of The WSL Finalists

"This isn't where I was supposed to be in life, but I did it anyways."…

Aug 29, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 7

Two waves decide our $100K finalists

Aug 28, 2025

Jack And Griffin Are Holding The Launch Codes To A Final 5 Super-Weapon

Welcome to the island of uncluttered minds.

Aug 28, 2025

Introducing Your Second Surf100 Finalist: 5 X CT Winner, Julian Wilson

We dug up the 5 best moments of our next $100K contender's career.

Aug 27, 2025

Jack Lost His Coach, Molly’s Bagged A New One

Meet the coaches and crews of the Final 5.

Aug 27, 2025

There’s A Real Chance This Thing Runs At Restaurants

Whispers around Tavarua point to a WSL Finals location change.

Aug 26, 2025

We’re Giving Away $100K In Oceanside… And You’re Invited.

Join us for the Surf100 Finale: Live voting, drinks & food on us — September…

Aug 26, 2025

The Italo Has Landed

And Cloudbreak got its tour card punched through 2029.

Aug 25, 2025

Surfing In The Age Of The Climate Collapse

Dave Rastovich and Pacha Light reckon with the hypocrisy at the heart of surfing.

Aug 25, 2025

We Asked Five Experts Who Will Win The WSL Finals 

Doug Silva, CJ Hobgood, Dooma Fahrenfort, Mateus Herdy, Parker Coffin — all gave different answers. 

Aug 23, 2025

Stab Interview: Who The Fuck Is Sebastian Williams?

Our first Surf100 finalist is a surf prodigy with one hell of a story.

Aug 22, 2025

Cheat Codes: How To Love A Board That Hates You With Mason Ho

An expanded guide to surfboard fun, physics, and a little self-sabotage.

Aug 21, 2025

John Florence’s Preferred Foam Manufacturer Halted Production — Is A Buyout In The Works? 

Rumor: Arctic to be bought by Cobra.

Aug 21, 2025

Take Stab’s 2025 Audience Survey, Win A New Surfboard + Kit

Fins, boardshorts, and Premium subscriptions also up for grabs.

Aug 21, 2025

Puerto vs. Barra: The Price of Development

A tale of two Mexican surf towns.

Aug 19, 2025

Come Party With Us And 100+ E.A.S.T. Boards In The Desert

Secure your tickets for an electric vision quest at Palm Springs Surf Club.

Aug 18, 2025

Will The Real Sea Shepherd Please Stand Up

The house Paul Watson built — and the board that locked him out.

Aug 18, 2025
Advertisement