Stab Magazine | This Has Been A Chaotic Week In Surfing

Live Now: Chapter 11 Mini-Documentary With Dane Reynolds

294 Views

This Has Been A Chaotic Week In Surfing

Let’s recap. 

style // Jul 24, 2020
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 4 minutes

There will be no world champion of surfing crowned this year. 

We could argue about how long, exactly, it’s been since that statement last rang true. It’s hard to draw a clear line in the muddlement of the ASP, IPS, ISF, etc, but most folks seem to accept either 1973 or 1976 as the year of our first real champion. 

Along with the cancelation of the 2020 tour, the WSL formalized the overhaul of changes they’ve been considering for the past few years. With so much uncertainty at the moment, it’s hard to imagine the long-term impact this all will have on professional surfing. However, it is far from our most significant story of the week. 

Unfortunately, the passing of Derek Ho is. 

iu 4 pichi 1

Derek — who won one of the aforementioned World Titles in 1993, the first for a Hawaiian surfer — suffered a fatal heart attack late last week. The term “inspiration” is often employed as a generic compliment instead of being reserved for someone who genuinely ignites a fire in others. Derek Ho was an inspiration in that way. He spent his life obsessing over, toying with and cherishing the sensations of surfing — all the while maintaining the excitement, the enthusiasm, the positive energy that sucked us all into it to begin with. 

The only thing more impressive than watching a 55-year-old man arch his back while standing inside a bomb at Pipe is the pure smile he’d wear while kicking out. 

The world, as we’ve all observed, continues to spin in the absence of an 11-stop series of events designed to discern who in the world is best at riding waves. However, it feels like it spins a little different when you lose somebody like Derek. 

Get a wave in his honor this week, and smile for him when you kick out. 

The news of Derek’s passing was Stab’s most viewed story of the week. Instead of linking to that post, I’ll start with a collection of tributes from around the surf world. 

derek ho

The Surfing World Pays Tribute To Derek Ho

Suffice to say, the man had an impact on many.

WSL Says The 2021 Tour Will START In Hawaii, Finish At A “Mystery Location” In September

Who saw this coming? Answer: Everyone. Including you, even if this is the first surf-related story you’ve read in several years — assuming you read the intro. If you please, dive in for the details of another World Tour for COVID to likely dismantle. Or you could read this story about the plan to have speciality events this year. 

Kelly Slater’s Under The Radar Waco Pool Strike!

In late 2015, Kelly Slater won Adriano de Souza’s World Title when footage of his wave pool first dropped. This was the first time he’s been seen experimenting with any other wave pool since. And of course, that translates to many clicks. 

Now, is this the future? 

You should hold notions about wetsuit fashion (oxymoron?) and defend those notions with boldness, determination, and physical force when need be. And so now, a personal question: Is the long arm spring officially back? They are certainly trending. Get a freshy if you need one, or shout at the clouds in the comments. 

Or is this the future?  

A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. A free hour-long film of Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith and Mick Fanning trying boards and attempting to determine the best shaper in the world. It was technically the past but have you really not clicked yet? 

One thing about SITD is that it always leaves me with an itch to learn more about surfboards, about surfing. You get that, too? 

ScaleWidthWyIxMjAwIl0 x163220 tk3 00021wmweb

Where are all the hunks? 

It is not uncommon for mainstream media to highlight a female surfer in the form of a body issue, swimsuit issue, major fashion shoot, etc. It’s often done tastefully and serves as great publicity for the women of our sport. This year, Courtney Conlogue, Caroline Marx, and Malia Manuel starred in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. All three of them finished in the top 10 on the CT last year, which is awesome. 

Without further ado, or reason whatsoever, here are three top 10 fellas I think should star in a mildly sexual male equivalent. 

-Filipe Toledo. He may be wiry but don’t let that allow you to overlook the power you could generate through a rapid succession of thrusts. 

-Jordy Smith (because nipples). 

-John John Florence. With the clean-cut image of Hurley a thing of his past, I picture JJF on a sailboat all rugged and scraggly, with a wild look in his eyes, kind of distant, you know, like he would fuck anybody. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/F-uIHXwf87I

Have we told you about Surf100?

It’s our passion project of the past two (three, four?) months, and it’s gonna be awesome. Or terrible. We honestly have no clue but we hope you’ll join us here on July 30.

One last thing: 

How does this make you feel?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hs_VY6nUpS8

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

Pittar’d And Feathered

Do the WSL judges deserve the internet's wrath? We asked the man of the hour.

Mar 28, 2024

Robbo, Pickles, And Tyler Wright Become The Underdogs Breakfast At Uninspiring Winkipop

The foreboding blade sharpens and inconsistent judging prevails on Day Two in Torquay.

Mar 27, 2024

“I Don’t Always Win Heats, But When I Do, I Try To Beat John John”

Slater shines and the axe begins its descent on Day 01 at Bells.

Mar 26, 2024

Back Against The Wall: The Ramzi Boukhiam Redemption

Morocco's first CT surfer on speaking six languages, having no coach, and snatching Fil Toledo's…

Mar 25, 2024

Will Kirra, Babies or JJF Stop a GOAT Winning at Bells?

Bluesky BOAG advice from a Superman specialist and former Trials winner.

Mar 25, 2024

Bells Preview: The WSL’s Victorian Sword Dancing Equinox Ritual

Will a Brazilian crack the Top 10 at Bells?

Mar 25, 2024

69 Shin Bones Later + the Anticlimactic State of Big Wave Record-Breaking

Lucas Chumbo might have surfed the biggest wave ever this year. But how will we…

Mar 23, 2024

Watch: ‘Fresh and Fried’ Ft the Quik Kids

How taxing is it to tackle the Gold Coast’s Triple Crown in a single day,…

Mar 23, 2024

The Popular Vote: The People’s Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino Champion

Which board looked best — to you —under Kolohe's talons?

Mar 22, 2024

João Chianca Opens Up About His Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, And Targeted Return To Competition  

"I don't just want to be the same surfer that I was. I don't even…

Mar 21, 2024

Six Key Learnings From Portugal

Three CT events in, what do we know? 

Mar 21, 2024

‘Zipper’ Is Going On Tour, Here’s Where You Can Watch It  

Dates, times + locations for the Venice, Encinitas, Sydney + Byron premieres.  

Mar 20, 2024

Dane Reynolds On His Future, His Past, And Chapter 11’s Raison D’être

Our 9-minute plunge into the collective psyche of Ventura's pillar(s).

Mar 20, 2024

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley Explains Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: A Million Miles Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from more than 2,000 hours in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024
Advertisement