Just general surfing stuff

[Cranked]

You actually need approval* before you turn up and take over a beach.

*approval usually involving state and local govt meetings, council votes, complex negotiations on the time and manner the contest can be run, contracts written and agreed to, fees and charges, etc. All individual, depending on the locale.

That's not a concept killer. Work with the potential locations in advance outlining the whys and wherefores. A lot of locations will probably be eliminated but there would still be a shitload of local authorities and communities who would welcome the exposure. Its also a much smaller footprint and for a shorter period of time so that should make it more palatable.

[steve shearer]

I actually quite enjoyed this comp...I know my opinion is a bit biased because `i was getting paid to write about it but I liked the compressed, continuous format ( a rarity) so you could see surfers build true momentum .....not this stop start thing we normally see.


I also very much enjoyed the different strategies employed on the Finals Day to deal with the complex equation of a sleepy but ocassionally epic south pac reef break.

I thought Medina had that Final on lock, but of a sudden, his winning strategy of constant wave catching became a losing one as he handed the key to Wilson to get back in the heat.

I guess I'm so tuned to watching 20 years of Slater strategy that that monumental blunder of Medina's stood out like dogs balls.

[Cranked]

There can be only one solution, its so obvious: set the dates for the tour and then go to where the surf is on that date for christs sake!

Expensive? What's the cost of the duds and half duds atm. And its not just the monetary cost of an event but the damage to the perception and acceptance of surf comps.

Never before has it been as easy to be mobile.

Ha ha never before has it been harder in the context. The WSL CT employs over 60 people and over two tons of gear just to run the webcast. Everything about a CT has to be micromanaged for months before an event. There's even a contractor signed to pack and ship the gear matched to event dates. By contrast, in 1979 the entire Coke Surfabout event moved from Sydney to Bells in six light aircraft with just a couple of days' notice. All they needed to move was a few surfers, judges etc and some boards. You can't pull that shit nowadays. Not unless you want nobody to see you at all.

Yeah, its turned into a complete circus. But all the non-necessary support can stay in the base. That includes all the commentators, judges, media, coaches, etc, etc etc. The only ones being moved around are the surfers, the videographers and the people who set up the satellite video links.

All of the surfers have surfed remote and dangerous places with no support: the danger and lack of facilities aspect can be part of the package, all the other hangers on can have their normal comforts back at the base location. The interface is a half dozen video screens or whatever. We don't even need the base, ninety percent of those involved atm can all work home.

Edit:

There's no point having a vast and expensive on-site operation if the product is not worth presenting. The only things that need to be on-site are the surfers and those recording the action plus the minimum of support. The satellite links and the recording equipment (including drones) plus the web enables all the commentary, judging and editing to be done just about anywhere in the world. They do not need to be in one place at all.

They probably could mobile for less than their current costs if they used the technology that is already available to them to set up an efficient support structure.

[Davros]

WSL should just capture the highlights and produce a 1 hour package on constant re run between events. The show can be sponsored and sold to pay and terrestrial TV

Man, tv doesn't buy stuff like this any more, they stopped doing that around 1984.

Retro baby, it's coming back. Might suit surfing's unique position. No merit?

[Cranked]

As a corollary, we could limit the surfers to one board. This would immediately improve the strength and longevity of surfboards and reduce toxic landfill by a million or so boards a year

[Davros]

One thing that has struck me this year is the bulk some of the guys have put on. Julian Wilson is becoming a little beast and Teledo has thighs like an NRL player.

[Cranked]

OK, and weight restrictions for surfers too. We want them svelte and glamorous

[Davros]

Single fins?

[ctd]

OK, and weight restrictions for surfers too. We want them svelte and glamorous

Depends whether you want WSL surfers to be aspirational (svelte and glamorous) or relatable (in which case, we need a fat percentage minimum. Say 22.5%, so the average surfer can relate). I realise that would ends Carroll's dreams of a comeback, but sacrifices need to be made.

[Cranked]

Go for a fifty fifty mix, we need some aspirational and some relatable

[crabmeat thompson]

I actually quite enjoyed this comp...I know my opinion is a bit biased because `i was getting paid to write about it but I liked the compressed, continuous format ( a rarity) so you could see surfers build true momentum .....not this stop start thing we normally see.

biggest thing killing the 'sport' ...

it's an absolute ordeal to follow.

[channels]

I actually quite enjoyed this comp...I know my opinion is a bit biased because `i was getting paid to write about it but I liked the compressed, continuous format ( a rarity) so you could see surfers build true momentum .....not this stop start thing we normally see.


I also very much enjoyed the different strategies employed on the Finals Day to deal with the complex equation of a sleepy but ocassionally epic south pac reef break.

I thought Medina had that Final on lock, but of a sudden, his winning strategy of constant wave catching became a losing one as he handed the key to Wilson to get back in the heat.

I guess I'm so tuned to watching 20 years of Slater strategy that that monumental blunder of Medina's stood out like dogs balls.

Read your updates on Grit. Great summation and no need to look at the heat analyser.
I guess after JBay, anything except 10 foot drainers was going to be a monumental let down.
What dims on the Ghost?

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[steve shearer]

I actually quite enjoyed this comp...I know my opinion is a bit biased because `i was getting paid to write about it but I liked the compressed, continuous format ( a rarity) so you could see surfers build true momentum .....not this stop start thing we normally see.


I also very much enjoyed the different strategies employed on the Finals Day to deal with the complex equation of a sleepy but ocassionally epic south pac reef break.

I thought Medina had that Final on lock, but of a sudden, his winning strategy of constant wave catching became a losing one as he handed the key to Wilson to get back in the heat.

I guess I'm so tuned to watching 20 years of Slater strategy that that monumental blunder of Medina's stood out like dogs balls.

Read your updates on Grit. Great summation and no need to look at the heat analyser.
I guess after JBay, anything except 10 foot drainers was going to be a monumental let down.
What dims on the Ghost?

6'1" stock dims.

[steve shearer]

Medina is very unlikable.

I like that he is unlikeable.

I was rooting so hard for him to win.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[foamy]

I thought Medina's 9.2 was easily the best surfed wave in the final.

[steve shearer]

You can't see a difference between free surfing and what is supposed to be competitive sport?