I know, I know. I just said I was done with the Woz for a bit. However, the Wiz just recently announced the schedule for next year’s CT tour, much to the dismay of the general surf fan. Comments flooded in from all directions on the WSL’s Instagram post:
“look at these comments. Listen to these comments. We are the fans. We want to watch the events, but you’re making it really difficult. There are so many great wave options in the world. Best surfers in the best waves? You’re falling short with this schedule.”
@oldsurfdad
“Why don’t we just start holding contests where ever there is a Best Western?”
@thegreenroomtimes
^^possible best comment award^^
@pauly_matt_war_shore – “You guys are off yer heads”
Some big names also decided to drop their thoughts off at the virtual mailbox:
@jimmicane – “Ladies and gentleman, start your cutbacks!”
“Need more rippable lefts!!!!!”
@tatiwest
“Right Points… Lefts Barrels… Beachbreaks (but beachbreaks that tend to have better rights)… Good luck to the goofies [crying emoji]”
@brettbarley
@owright – “Just here for the comments”
Former ASP tour surfer Shane Beschen left an absolute sizzler in the comments, racking up 500+ likes on his counter:
@shanebeschen – “@wsl @elo_eriklogan From the beginning, the excitement, fun, culture of surfing has grown from the inside out, meaning the infectious spirit of surfing is slowly reaching the masses through the enthusiasm of the core market. You’re core marker has been speaking loud and clear about the mid year cut, ending at lowers and now this new schedule. As i am now simply observing as a fan, it seems like a good idea to listen to the people who have literally grown the sport to where it is now. The surfers and the fans. I am from San Clemente and love lowers but this years Finals strategy is now even giving one of the most high performance waves in the world a bad name. When the people are used to the consequences of Pipeline to claim the title, most surf spots fall short of delivering that same excitement. Wishing you guys the best as i will always be a fan of surfing and todays surfers are setting new standards that are incredible(hands up emoji)”
Most of the frustration stems from the Wave Pool making its return, combined with Finals Day back at Lowers. A lot of calls for G-Land or Cloudbreak. Everyone wants more lefts. ELO is digging a hole with the public.
Stab writer August Howell put it nicely,
“So instead of surviving the ax and posting up in Grajagan Bay, the top 22 men and 10 women (along with two wildcards each) will instead get a sweaty car ride to inland California. Hooray.”
Maybe it’s hooray for the surfers? The wave does look fun to surf, but I’m pretty sure the fans hate to watch it. Another big notice was brought forth in this piece, reminding readers that this is the schedule which will determine some of the Olympic surfers for 2024.
Surprising nobody, BeachGrit posted a few laughers worth reading. Spare a few worthy minutes of your day over here, here, and here.
The question remains – what will, what CAN anyone do about this predicament? About this debacle! Surfers already tried the petition. Vans is trying the Pipe Masters this year, let’s see how that rolls, because after that, it may be left to the core fans to get something going. Since the Wizzle doesn’t charge anything for their content, and the entire business model is (presumplty) based off of sponsorship dollars, a lack of viewership might be the only thing to cripple this train. Could be an interesting next few years for our “sport”.
Thanks for the time.
-hwilsin
