Stab Magazine | Kelly Slater And Bob Hurley Call Out Hawaiian Airlines
830 Views

Kelly Slater And Bob Hurley Call Out Hawaiian Airlines

This week in Surfers vs Airlines!

news // Aug 3, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Wanna know what the real cold war of surf is? It’s the incessant battle between those who partake in travelling to find waves, and those who fly them there. Since surfers first started boarding planes, they’ve been scrapping with airlines, the latter of whom realised early in the piece that they can rinse our kind for transporting foam crafts. And, sadly, it’s the airlines who are in the power position. But every now and then, someone with heft claps back – you’ll surely remember John Florence’s scrap with JetBlue. And today, we have the pleasure of Kelly Slater, via Bob Hurley, firing shots at Hawaiian Airlines.

Bob Hurley posted the Hawaiian Airlines logo earlier today, writing:

I get happy when I see this logo. I love @hawaiianairlines BUT, recently had a horrible experience. Normally airlines charge extra for surfboards. We all expect it. Had three small boards in a 23 pound bag. They only allow two…even itty bitty ones…Was told in Honolulu that it’s not possible to put them on the plane. I offered to pay xtra. Not possible says the manager. “Two is da rule.” I said “it’s possible, I travel a ton and weight is the litmus test… she said this one time she would do me a favor… let me pay for two bags although it was one and she would look the other way… when I said… But… I felt like I may get arrested. Super bad vibes… Not another word… I know a lotta surfers that will no longer fly Hawaiian. I would be so happy to help with a practical and profitable policy… but they have not asked.
So sad for me.
I don’t like doing stuff like this but I reached out to Hawaiian and they ignored me. Such a bum out.
Be careful cause you will get busted for being smart and honest… #dontflyhawaiianairlines

Kelly reposted Bob’s sentiments, adding:

This topic just baffles me… @hawaiianairlines should rectify their policy. It’s ridiculous and a default profit racket. They made over $70M last year in oversize/overweight baggage charges.

Trust dear Kelly to bring some stats to support his argument. Wanna help win the cold war? Follow your leaders! Boycott Hawaiian Airlines (and JetBlue) until they update policy!

 

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

Why Did 50 Men Just March Into The Sahara With Surfboards And Moroccan Flags?

The story of a decades-old feud and the desert wave it exposed.

Mar 15, 2026

Tahiti Clean Sweeps Challenger Titles + Liam O’Brien Squeaks Into The CT

Meet the 2026 qualifying class.

Mar 15, 2026

SEOTY: Imaikalani deVault Stars In ‘Little Bits’

"He pretty much got to the CT on talent alone.”

Mar 13, 2026

JJF + Dane Reynolds Recall The Best Session Of Their Lives

"It felt like you could do anything you wanted.”

Mar 13, 2026

86% Of Women’s CS Qualifiers Are Currently From Europe

Who are 'Euroforce Femme' and where did they come from?

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Episode One Of ‘VELA’ Featuring John John Florence

A perfect empty right, a shallow empty left, and one 3x World Champ.

Mar 11, 2026

Unlocked: Brody Mulik Stars In ‘fourteen.’

Homeschooled at The Box and Tombies, the fifteen-year-old might be Western Australia's best student.

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Patti Zhou In Her Element(s)

Snow, water, but mostly air.

Mar 11, 2026

Watch: Quiksilver’s King Of The Groms Final

Kash Brown, Mananalu Chandler, Brody Mulik, and Dylan Donegan try to freesurf their way into…

Mar 11, 2026

Ethan Ewing: The Next Stab In The Dark Star

Back to first principles, with modern horsepower.

Mar 10, 2026

Where Are Surfing’s Next Male Superstars?

Young women are dominating pro surfing, while the men’s tour ages. Why?

Mar 9, 2026

John Florence Is About To Capture The Attention Of The Entire Surf World (Again)

This is why the 3x World Champ won't be returning to the tour.

Mar 9, 2026

Do It For Your Postcode

Pros and Joes delivered a thrilling ABB Grand Final, in a format that remains undefeated.

Mar 9, 2026

A Dane Reynolds Extended Cut Of Craig Anderson + Ben Howard In Chile

*Instantly adds Defective Units Vol.1 soundtrack to Spotify playlist.*

Mar 8, 2026

Those Who Can’t Remember The Past Are Doomed To Repeat It

A second Newcastle Challenger preview — and a CT qualification update.

Mar 8, 2026

Dan Mann Won Stab In The Dark X — Now What?

Was Kelly Slater handed a frozen envelope?

Mar 7, 2026

Profile: Taro Kelly Slater Watanabe

Brad Gerlach, Jon Pyzel and Quinn Graham on the 23yo from Topanga.

Mar 7, 2026

Inside The Mind Of Kelly Slater, With Sam McIntosh | StabMic Episode 04

Stab co-founder joins Dane Reynolds and Damien Fahrenfort at the desk.

Mar 6, 2026
Advertisement