The Weekly Bugle
Into the weeds of the world surfing week.
Goatboats, world records, enviro board packaging, weird Nazare interactions and the best barrel by a 50-year-old from the surfing week that was.
Do You Like Surf?
“One time he was spearfishing and he got bit on the head by a crocodile while he was on mushrooms,” is just one of the more ridiculous interactions between this Portuguese interviewer and an Aussie spectator at Nazare captured by @abovecreators. It seemed to sum up the Nazare scene perfectly.
Why Does It Take 18 Months To Ratify A Surfing World Record
“Would any other sport wait 12 months to claim a world record?” That was the question Andrew “Cottie” Cotton posed to the Surf Bugle after my chat with Lucas Chianca after he rode what might be a new record at Nazare this week. The answer is no. Sebastian Stuednter's current record wave (82 feet) was ridden in October 2020, but wasn’t ratified by the Guinness Book of World Records until May 2022. 19 months between the wave and the official record is madness. Chumbo’s wave could take the same time to be classified. “You’re the journo, look into it Mondy!” Said Cottie. Next week’s Bugle sorted then.
One Big Turn
I did a piece on surfing’s best turns, inspired by Molly Picklum’s epic ride at Sunset a few weeks ago. It started some debate about a few I'd missed. Ulladulla goofyfooter Kurt Nyholm put forward this gouge by Luke Egan captured by Bosko. I had this pic on my school folder in Year 10, and it’s forever seared into my brain, so thought it was worth a look. The question to Louie or Bosko is, did he make it?
Goat Boats Never Die
I wrote a Surf Bugle piece on Surfing’s Endangered Species and internally debated whether to include goat boats (aka surf skis) with kneelos, surf photographers and grommet abuse. This clip by French 3X Waveski (which must be the official term) Champion Pablo Airways proves the sport (is it a sport?) shows it is well and truly alive.
Massive Flex by Flexi-Hex
Cornish ripper-twins Sam and Will Boex started Flexi-Hex in 2018 to tackle the excessive amount of plastic packaging used in surfboard transit by offering a more environmentally friendly alternative. Six years later they have sold 2 million sleeves, prevented 1,555km of plastic use, are trading in 22 countries and have won 5 awards for sustainability and innovation. But does it work? Abso-fucking-lutely.
Wave of The Week
50-year-old Grant “Twiggy” Baker on a perfect Off The Wall drainer, soundtracked by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Yes please.
