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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

MEDIUM HAPPY

It’s wild how much better the WSL seems when they get some waves for events. Of course there will still be complaints and unfavorable opinions (Medina not getting a perfect 20 at Teahupoo, Griffin El Salvador interference, etc.), but for the most part, everyone’s stoked. It’s a medium happy.  Tahiti was fucking insane. Obviously I […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

Nat Young has had two shockers in a row. First and foremost, you saw the debacle that took place at Snapper. Now we’ve got this new ordeal of complete vs. incomplete. And quite the ordeal it’s been. Nat was not the only guy to get a questionable incomplete call in Sydney – have a look […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

HAND LENS

Objective – based on facts. Subjective – based on opinions, feelings, or emotions. There are no facts about competitive surfing. Every wave ridden is judged and attributed a score in comparison to the last wave ridden. The first wave of the day, or even the first wave of the entire event, is going to be […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

PRAISES

If you know me, or if you’ve read any of my work before, you know how much I would love to throw fuel on the bonfire that is the public scrutiny of the WSL right now. A couple of questionable judging calls have ignited the flame. Instead, I would like to take this opportunity to […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

WOLVES

Portugal is a tough event to watch live if you reside in the United States. Starting around midnight, the day is usually wrapping up around the time I’m getting ready for a surf here on the West Coast. That is bad news for my fantasy team. I like to look at the man-on-man matchups and […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

THE BIG SHOW

It’s been 2 days since the official end of the 2023 competitive surf season and I’m ready to get into next year. That’s not completely true as there are still a lot of regional QS events left in this calendar year, but for the big show, we’re rolling into next season. It is a funny […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

REDUNDANT

Well, I guess right back to the contest writing. I know it’s a bit redundant, but it’s something I am passionate about. Regardless of location, swell, conditions, surfers, board type, or anything else, I will tune into a live surf contest to watch if given the opportunity. There’s a pro junior going on in Japan […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

MASS HYSTERIA

BeachGrit’s infamous, the one and only true Surf Journalist Chas Smith has long said that the WSL hates its fans. While I’ve previously thought this was a pretty stark stance to take, the statement is hard to disagree with on behalf of the Woz’s recent decision. Their choice to not replace the injured Ethan Ewing […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

HEARSAY

If you’re not pretty tuned in to the surf scene, you might not have heard this story, which is why I am telling it to you now. As a warning, this is a bit redundant because I am just sharing the news through what I have read and heard. Hearsay. Admittedly terrible journalism. I have […]

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coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

A WARM WELCOME BACK

Pete Mel and Strider trade verbal jabs on the live broadcast. My grom is asleep. I sip my cold Pacifico. Day One at Jeffrey’s Bay was a warm welcome back from my boycott. If you are a reasonably responsible person living in the US, chances are you did not stay awake through the wee hours […]