Surfing joins the five ring circus!

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Surfpolitik

7471206-4x3-940x705.jpgChoose your sides, surfers. In or out, there is no middle ground.

Overnight the International Olympic Commission (IOC) handed down a decision that's sure to become the most divisive in surfing. More divisive than the introduction of legropes or wavepools is the acceptance of surfing as an Olympic sport.

The schism is easily described.

For thirty years contest surfers have scratched and fought to have competitions held in good waves - but the Olympics will be held in summertime Japan.

For forty years the IPS/ASP/WSL have created a pathway to the world title independent of outside agency - so what will a gold medal actually mean?

Surfing has a strong non-contest culture who largely couldn't care how others perceive them - arguably the sports 'core values' lie outside the contest realm.

And surfing's whole foundation is laid down on a solid bedrock of self-interest - just give us good waves and minimal crowds and everyone is happy. Which of course is code for 'we don't want anymore people joining the sport'. So what do recreational surfers – who by far form the greater majority of surfers – stand to gain from this?

Theirs is a valid question, yet already pro surfers of all stripes are nailing their colours to the Twitter feed. For instance, some surfers who've spent their whole career proudly competing for Hawaii - pro surfing has always made a distinction between Hawaii and the USA -  are now feigning honour to compete for their nation, while others are vehemently opposed.

Snowboarding went through this twenty years ago, led by the then world's best snowboarder Terje Haakonsen. Haakonsen was 24-years-old, would've likely won gold, but took a principled stand for the sake of his sport. “The Olympics need us more than we need the Olympics,” said Haakonsen, and he was right, viewing figures showed snowboarding was a boon for the IOC.

So who'll take a stand against the IOC and what argument will they use? They can't use Haakonsen's because surfing in the summer Olympics is destined to be run in two feet onshore slop. In contrast to snowboarding, surfing runs the risk of looking foolish.

Most people are aware that professional surfing is a bit of a magical scam, because the plain truth is that the very best surfing doesn't happen in coloured singlets. To package the scam organisers and adherents created rules and regulations, but at its core surfing doesn't fit those restrictions. We all kinda know and accept that because CT locations make for great entertainment.

The summer Olympics will never tick that box except in some cheeseball subversion of Olympic ideals.

Citius - Altius - Fortius. Faster - Higher – Stronger.

Sorry, not in summertime beachbreaks.

Comments

batfink's picture
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batfink Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 11:58am

Like golf and tennis, introducing surfing to the Olympics amounts to jumping on a bandwagon that doesn't promote the sport at all. I'd say the same for soccer, but at least the Olympics restricted it to under 23's or something like that (I think) so that it wasn't in competition with the World Cup.

The Olympics itself is in danger of losing relevancy. It was always about a world comp principally for sports that don't have world comp formats. Adding these already fully fledged sports to their roster just buries what was special about the Olympics.

Personally, I have never been less interested. I'll be watching minimal amounts.

Surfing is different again from golf, tennis and soccer, and even less of a good fit for the Olympics. I doubt I would watch a minute of surfing 2 foot slop surfing.

spenda's picture
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spenda Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 1:00pm

Agree, I'd be far more excited to see Bubble Soccer introduced.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 1:38pm

Well it might put the underground sunshine coast surfers on the map, we are used to surfing this kind of shit, for me If you've ever seen Dale Lovelock surf, I would watch him surfing 2 foot slop anytime, representing our region proudly and furthermore surfing at a level most of us other amateur's could only dream about. Go to any point and you have a thousand parko's, fanning's, wilson's who think they are pro 'cause they can do a turn. That's never gonna change. Using snowboarding, well they have a half pipe, do I watch that- yes. do I watch x-games- not really. I love seeing Aussie's put it to other countries. It's about having pride in your country- your region- your surfer. To be honest my favourite surfer in the pro's is Jordy. Nothing to do about country, I like his style. That won't be the case in the olympics I will be supporting Aussie.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 1:56pm

Would love to hear a Bobby Martinez interview on the issue....

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 3:14pm

I hope that after Kelly retires, professional surfing as a viable business which is of interest to the mainstream continues to disappear up its own arse.

The comp at Padang shows the future of pro surfing more than the WSL which showcases events which are largely tedious.

I was glued to Padang - can't say the same about Snapper/Bells/J-Bay.

How can surfing in the Olympics not be infinitely more uninteresting than the worst of the WSL?

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 3:41pm

The IOC is an international conspiracy to divert public money into private hands. The cost of the facilities comes from public money. The "benefits", if any exist, are calculated in the return to private companies. For a nation like Brazil to divert a significant proportion of its capital investment to Olympic facilities verges on a crime against humanity. But hey why not? What harm can a few more junkets for surfing officials do?

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:08pm

You're such a commie BB.

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:52pm

More of an anarcho-syndicalist actually.

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:52pm

More of an anarcho-syndicalist actually.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 6:16pm

It's funny you should mention that BB because the way I see it, if we organised into confederations or syndicates which were owned and managed by the workers and were composed of specialists and representatives of workers in each respective field to negotiate and manage the economy, then we could potentially overcome the current developing economic aristocracy and run society fairly and in the interest of informed and skilled majorities, through union democracy.

clif's picture
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clif Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 6:56pm

Comrade!

clif's picture
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clif Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 6:57pm

Comrade!

memlasurf's picture
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memlasurf Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 7:35am

Yes from memory BB it sent Sydney broke for nearly a decade. Their infrastructure ground to a halt for that period. Can't imagine what it is doing to Rio as the place looks a tip. It is an incredibly wasteful exercise and really should be down graded in the number of sports not more added. Golf, tennis and now surfing not to mention basketball should not be there. What a sad joke.

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 3:43pm

 

wally's picture
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wally Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:03pm

The most covered surfing event in history is probably the Mick Fanning shark incident. Then perhaps Fanno has done more than anyone in history to discourage people from going surfing.

freerider.'s picture
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freerider. Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:46pm

I think Fernando has his own personal agenda and might wind up doing more harm than good. Most people live so far from the coast--can they even relate to it.

Fernando may wind up doing more harm than good. Most people live so far from the coast--can they even relate to it.

freerider.'s picture
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freerider. Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:47pm

Hey--it seems the "girls" over at "Surfing Life" have removed their 'comment section'. How's that for censorship?

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:50pm

Swellnet's.. Stu Nettle gotta hand it to him.. delivering Top class surf stories as they happen. Let's show our appreciation. Let's celebrate this Olympic occasion ...by all means celebrate here first but then backtrack and party at (Swellnet... 12/Feb/2015... U.S.Olympic Team visits Cronulla '56) Yep our Stu be hosting that one too,Top Show,that one! Kicks on heavy,pretty deep in fact with...(surfresearch 1956 Olympic Surf Life Saving Carnivals,Torquay and Sydney). Important for surfers to acknowledge all aspects of our sport from young to old and love or money for medals. Be reminded surfers have been instrumental since birth of modern Olympics ... recalling The Duke on this special occasion and companion pioneering Aust' 'surfbathers' add those Exhibitions of surfing...Our Commonwealth Games Ambassador is our own world champ surfer Mick Fanning and games mascot Borobi also a surf board rider... let us not forget.Let's celebrate their surfing contributions today's as good as any! My next ride is for Surf pioneers that dragged us off our asses into line-up! Hooroo!Ola, Oi!Oi!Oi!

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 4:57pm

I do find it funny that the strap-in stooge holding the Olympic torch in the photo bears a passing resemblance to Miki Dora.

Wharfjunkie's picture
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Wharfjunkie Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 6:23pm

This will be great for surfing people will think surfing 2 foot wind swell on boards too small for them is what its all about. Gabby, Julian, 2 Johns, Toledo, Andino all fighting it out for Gold.

simba's picture
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simba Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 6:34pm

Im sure Kellys wavepool will be up and running by then.....

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:08pm

The International Surfers Association wholeheartedly condemns this latest blatant attempt from organised surfing and taxpayer funded quangoes to cash in on surfing and not consider the interests of the surfers they are supposed to represent.
Growth is inimical to quality in a planet of finite resources, this is especially so in surfing.
As such, this entrance of surfing into the Olympics is a kind of insanity.

The real ISA sees the other ISA with it's mission statement of "As we see more surfers, we see a better world" as an insane institution with insane goals. Those who promote and profit from it are clearly insane if they believe in the aforementioned statement.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:22pm

I'd say the vast majority of surfers agree that we're getting shafted FR but what do we do about it?

Never heard of the ISA, assuming you're not being facetious. Are you a member and how do they actually represent the average surfer?

Surely it's getting harder and harder to gain political traction compared to established organisations like Surfing Australia.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:38pm

I just invented it AM.

Lets write up a constitution Sat Nite.

The average, non competitive surfer I think needs to get together and take up arms against this ambit claim from the organised arm of surfing.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:48pm

Facetious it was then!

Recreational surfers need representation desperately:

- Olympics
- Sharks and issues with preventative measures
- Jetskis
Just to name the obvious ones.

Same old story, the organised and motivated <1% trampling over the majority.

How would you unite (on any level) the riff raff that is recreational surfing?
How do you convince the rest of Australia to give a shit about jetskis at Snapper on a 3ft day?

Wonder if Finnegan has an opinion about it, at least he's got the platform to get himself heard.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:52pm

The organisation could be called the Amateur Recreational Surfers Engagement.

The acronym is compelling...

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 9:29pm

Infiltrate and subvert might be a better strategy.

simba's picture
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simba Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 7:23pm

yes another money grab.....

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 10:05pm

freeride76 & AndyM . Brilliant! Amateur Hour Saturday night ARSE end of week@ Swellnet I've already buttered up Stu!Good time to run it by him...(factcheck)-Bodybasherz are amateur amateurs when last asked at a 'surf festival' if ready for contest. ALL vowed you won't have us compete for nuthin ....All in Bodybash Exhibition over and done. We don't have good, don't have bad,don't have waves, just have nuthin. Hang on now! No ones saying! ISA can't force OZ Basherz do Tokyo! What's this IOC must be amateur rule? Must be another surfer not bought any pro surf product,please come forward.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 11:27pm

I remember being young and I wanted a hot tuna shirt sooo bad, but wasn't allowed, but then mum bought me one and I wore it proudly on sports day on the athletic's track. I remember being told surfing was 'good for nothing and not even a sport. All the kid's that get told that now have a full case argument. Surfing in the Olympics is for the kids, Maybe one kid will be allowed to go surfing more and yeah maybe that one kid will grow up and 'crowd' the lineup, but I try to avoid crowded line-ups. So here comes the cliche. Surfing saved my life, and if it can save one kid from jumping off a bridge, then it should be in the Olympics. You'll never find that statistic in the figure's. And this is probably not a good example in light of what ultimately happened (but in some sense validates it) watch 'I surf because' : the Andy Iron's one. Surfing is so much more then a sport, it saves kid's lives. Olympic recognition mean's the kid finally is allowed to go to the beach on the train by him/herself and he may just of needed it that day 'cause he didn't think life was worth living. It might also mean those who intend being in the social service sector- to have an argument to take to their boss when your teaching a 'client' to surf and for that worker to go out the back and get a couple himself when the surf is cracking....

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 11:35pm

And surely the IOC will not be allowing jet ski assist- so AndyM maybe it will convince the average public not to allow jetski's at snapper on a 3ft day.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Thursday, 4 Aug 2016 at 11:54pm

Personally I'd like to see 'style' back in the judging criteria, but it's too subjective right? As an Aussie I love Mick fanning and what he does for Surfing and the kid's, but I'd rather watch Jordy any day of the week. And it will be horrifying to watch Huntington hops and be embarrassing for our sport so I can only hope it could be in the judging criteria. Imagine that - it could teach pro surfing a thing or too about what it lost somewhere along the way.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 12:21am

Fishlegs's picture
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Fishlegs Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 1:42am

Can't wait to see a juiced up Rusky take the drop at Chopes or maybe just get beyond the shorey at Chiba. Ozi feral skaters will blow the ruskies off the concrete when it comes to the drug tests. Look's like Gold to me.......

tonybarber's picture
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tonybarber Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 8:59am

It does not take much when you go thru all of the logistics, judging criteria, locations, number of participants, countries involved that having surfing in the Olympics was a bit of a brain snap. Bit of marketing by the IOC to show its still 'modern' and all inclusive, me thinks.

Legrope's picture
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Legrope Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 11:12am

FYI. The USA team will include Hawaiians. Still held at a beachy though so we should still win. Will they have an issue with the Brazilian claim after every wave? Might get told to tone that shit down.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 12:08pm

KGB long new Surfing/Skateboarding be Olympic sport and that they're doping expertise would be highly sought after.Australia been randomly stacking KGB athletes into AIS top down for years,never bothering to hide the fact. After field trips to Nimbin led to hazy weekends at Byron further sessions at secret spot . Word is out, they've already cracked WAD Code.Next gen Oz Olympic high flying surf/skate squadron already named and shamed as ex Russian vault polars, hittin' the piste on green and gold high tech bubble wrap designs. Hooroo!

sharkman's picture
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sharkman Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 12:24pm

Just for the record , the surf can actually be world class in Japan during the 2020 Olympics , as its Typhoon season , and yeah the Olympics seem to be huge waste of money and resources , but then again with Australia buying billions of dollars of subs,aircraft , etc, I 'd rather watch the Olympics.

philosurphizingkerching's picture
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philosurphizing... Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 1:10pm

And world class radiation.
Fukushima is still leaking.
Here is a link to a story with photos from a bloke who snuck into Fukushimas red exclusion zone.
http://imgur.com/gallery/KabxJ

Legrope's picture
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Legrope Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 2:40pm

Crazy story philosurphizing. Fuckushima is a good 300kms away. She'll be right mate. Wonder what the reading on the geiger counter is there? Still leaking. I'd never visit there and can't believe that Japan and IOC are giving it the green light. Might have a generation of Pro surfers with cancer issues after this.

freerider.'s picture
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freerider. Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 4:18pm

Hey--not to change the subject guys--but I wanted to voice my opinion over at "Surfing Life" also--but it seems they don't have a comment section anymore. Anyone know why? Are they trying to force their views on readers? Are they afraid some of the comments they get are too close to the truth? If anyone one knows why they got rid of the comment section, maybe they could share it. Thanks...

stunet's picture
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stunet Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 8:38pm

The owners of SL put the title up for sale and it was going to be bought by the employees. I'm not real sure where this process is up to, but suffice to say they're going through a bit of a shake up and would be concentrating on a) getting content out for the next issue, and b) finalising the sale so they can continue on after that.

Moderating comments takes more time than people would realise, and comment sections don't pay the bills. I doubt there's anything more to it then thinly stretched staff focusing on the most important matters.

dromodreamer's picture
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dromodreamer Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 7:55pm

'cause Derek Rielly was the editor many moons ago till he started Stab and they don't want to be seen as anything like Stab. Morrison Media sold it- can't be bothered to find out who to but clearly the new buyer doesn't want to have to waste money and time on having to 'moderate' comments and stab readers are brutal, happily shooting their own side but Derek doesn't give two 'effs' so yeah-disabale it and move on. Economically sound principle probably one guy running the whole website. Unlike Swellnet posters they have no self filter, That's why I Don't post on any other site but swellnet and wouldn't post any stupid shit (but we all got our opinions)and the average poster here does as I feel really appreciate and respect the amount of work Ben put's in just so we can go surfing more, but still is willing to spend plenty of time engaging with us.

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dromodreamer Friday, 5 Aug 2016 at 10:34pm

Sorry Stu, and you too. I think sometimes being grateful goes a long way, and I can only imagine the work you put in, so cheers to you and all at swellnet team for being the people your are! So as I have another beer and get self righteous, about a whole range of shit my beer is tipped to all the workers and the chief of swellnet for the hardwork daily you guys do. I hope you never sell up or out!!

freerider.'s picture
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freerider. Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 2:43am

OK guys thanks--they never did get a lot of comments there to start with--but don't think I'll be checking their website anymore--if you can't even post your opinion....

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tonybarber Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 8:57am

Maybe a naive question but what would be the impact if one does not 'moderate' a comment section ? Is this a claytons 'free speech'.

stunet's picture
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stunet Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 9:45am

First up, I guess people should understand that there is no free speech here in its purest sense; this is a private website, we have no obligation to free speech. Of course, free speech in public life is an illusion too. Head down to Martin Place and start hollering homophobic insults, swearing, shouting jihadist chants if you'd like to test that hypothesis.

Ben and I have the aim of allowing broad debate, providing a platform for many points of view, yet within certain parameters. See the code of conduct for what those are.

We moderate very softly with, I believe, moderate interference. From memory the forum was five years old before we had cause to ban anyone. That was needed because the person was drowning out all other points of view and stifling all duscussions.

I've used multiple forums and the dynamic with these people is remarkably similar: they feel empowered because they're not being censored, so continue their rants with no thoughts to other users, and so escalate their posts in a self-reinforcing cycle of delusion till every thread is polluted with their feculence. This is all at the expense of other people who use the forums.

Recently I had to delete two posts on the Pauline Hanson thread because they crossed the line of racism. It's been implied that we censor posts according to commercial interests but that's bollocks. It could happen if someone stepped outside the aforementioned parameters but that's all.

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tonybarber Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 10:07am

Thanks for the prompt reply Stu. I would be interested in if in fact, you did not moderate a blog. Are there legal implications or requirements ?
BTW, I am not having a go at how the blogs are managed. To moderate would be a night mare. You and Ben are doing a great job really. I can't see why anyone would have to moderate comments re Pauline - she really stirs the pot.
It will be interesting to follow how Hinch will get 18c modified. I agree the term 'likely to offend' is highly subjective and open to various interpretations. Hinch certainly has a strong point. Are we strong enough to handle 'words'.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 10:51am

"Feculence" -

Bravo Stu.

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truebluebasher Saturday, 6 Aug 2016 at 4:47pm

RE: freerider' www was once wild and free to all anytime,no subscriptions.Heaps of history now near siphoned off. My space was great for collating localised bands discography...now dust.Once great photo's were attached to greater stories,all wiped and repackaged as catchy [i]shot..vote now for best dumb caption. News papers wouldn't run our comments.. anyway/again re-wipe back catalogue( history) every few years. Costs us a package to go online! - Freeview 9 TV-flicked us off, now Subscription only. Near all [f]ABC sites are rapidly removing on-site Feedback then bumping you on to [f] or {t} hardly ad free...across ABC 1/2 million[f] ads easy ... Channel 10- non site generic email,never works ...Channel 7 non site 3rd party dinky box. After 20 years www has near all been hoovered by ant like subscriber nerds, busy re-stacking identical cubes into dehumanising identical blue and white columns all with exactly same layout and content then demand password to unlock a single word.Question why are generic,censored,non addressable,absent phone numbered,locked,subscriber access only sites branded 'social media'? Thanks nerds world has never been as divided, boring,predictable and useless! Nerds go back to being bookworms and take that IT gizmo with you(don't want it,never worked..Worlds worse than ever jerks)...just elaborate hoax to steal our babes. Give 'm back creeps! (Wikipedia 2016 ..The year robots shed a tear for their human friends). (R.I.P. www) All hail swellnet!....the last bastion of free speech. Thanx Stu and again it's your stories we come to read.Note: Fellow Swellnetonians(can't be right) be assured I read all your posts in Stu's fabulous swellnet library. Doesn't get any better than this-thanx to all commentators, 3 cheers for Swellnet. oi! oi!oi! Hooroo! Go Aussie!

velocityjohnno's picture
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velocityjohnno Sunday, 7 Aug 2016 at 6:18pm

I think everyone has missed the true importance of surfing becoming an Olympic sport - it paves the way for Goat Boating in the 2024 Olympics. A perfect match.

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erikb Monday, 8 Aug 2016 at 5:30am

Hehe, gotta get the wording right Stu! Terje said back in 1998 that "the IOC was just a bunch of rich pimps that gave nothing back to the sport".

Let me add a few facts about snowboarding and the olympics..
The IOC gave the qualifying rights to the International Ski federation (FIS) meaning that all riders had to ride their comps every second year to qualify for the olympics. Imagine having to qualify via a wakeboarding organizations events?!
The international snowboard federation (ISF) went bankrupt a few years after due to lack of sponsorship funding.
Fast forward a few years and there is no longer a world cup or world championships, only invite comps such as X games and Air&Style, the jugding criteria in the FIS events are all spin to win ballerina ballet shit and zero style.. the FIS Halfpipe specialists got no cred in the industry..
Fast forward another few years, Terje created the Ticket to ride system meaning that the top placings from certain independent events would qualify for the Arctic Challenge, which used to be an invite only event he started with Daniel Franck around 2000 and eventually became the new snowboarding world championships.

Lets hope professional surfing manages to keep some of its integrity though although some comps are already boring as fuck to watch..

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the_varsity Monday, 8 Aug 2016 at 5:02pm

I'm emigrating immediately to Burkina Faso......Olympic glory awaits!