The WSL just cancelled the Margaret River event due to concerns about sharks in the lineup. Liability issues vs genuine concern for the surfers? Either way it was the right decision. This got me thinking that Kelly might really be the ultimate visionary. It is possible that in the very near future there will be 10th generation wave pools that equalize and render obsolete the random conditions that occur in each heat and in each event window? Wouldn't this be the ultimately fair way to determine a winner? But on the dark side, it calls into question the very basis of our entire surfing culture, which has always relied on one's response to unpredictable conditions and the energy one expends to track what's happening at our local breaks and at the exotic locations we schedule trips to. The alternative: Sign up for wave pool 1 if you want to surf epic Second Light. Sign up for wave pool 2 if you want to surf epic Pavones. Sign up for wave pool 3 if you want to surf epic Mavericks.  Pick your break and schedule any day to get perfect conditions.  Technology innovation doubles every 10 years. Older people, like me, cling to sameness. That's probably a losing position. Who envisioned smart phones 10 years ago? What's your take on this?  

 

 

-------------------------
Josh Rubin

2nd light hasn't been epic for at least 10 yrs ....

The consistency of wave pools takes the 'soul' out of surfing contests.

These people are the best because they can read the ocean; patience, positioning, adaptation and skill. Pool contests will be fun to watch, just like skate and snowboard contests are, but ocean contests are a cut above due to the randomness of nature.

-------------------------
I was right.

Leg ropes took the soul out of surfing.

Then the internet destroyed it.

The only hope is a VR wavepool ap on every phone.  

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

70's single fins are full of soul, but they still ride like shit.

Times, they are a changin.

-------------------------
I was right.

hahahah......true!

-------------------------

Waiting for waves is ok......most people spend their lives waiting for nothing.

Spot on!

-------------------------

Waiting for waves is ok......most people spend their lives waiting for nothing.

Terrible call ending Margaret's and more than one or two Artificial Waves on a season tour would be heresy.

Wave pools sacrifice drama and soul for tricks and control.

-------------------------


If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

True

But cancelling MR was necessary. If a contestant had been attacked it would have been a nightmare.



-------------------------
Replace turf grass with native plants that don't need irrigation and synthetic fertilizers or chemicals that can go into our waterways and ocean

Idea.

What if they came up with a random program for swell setting in the pools for the contests? Everyone having to make the best of what they're dealt?

 

Its still a fucking pool and still lame...... Collectively surfing/surfers have become pussified (a microcasm reflection of society as a whole)

Most can't guess when waves will be good without an internet app to tell them

packaged surf camps

pop out chineese boards (most people don't know the measurements of their boards aside from "I need 26 liters...")

hyping every spot / session on instaspam....

There are still some serious hardcore charging mofos out there, but collective mass..... not even

 

What happenned to "The Internet Destroid surfing"?  That guy had the best screen name ever....