Matt Warshaw on the Rip Curl Search heading to San Francisco
On Easter Sunday, just moments before the Final of the Bells Beach competition began, Rip Curl announced the destination for this years Search competition. The chosen break? Ocean Beach, San Francisco. Despite the on-air hyperbole from Rip Curl's marketing manager, Dylan Slater, and sponsored rider, Owen Wright, the disappointment from surfers worldwide has been palpable.
Matt Warshaw is a one-time editor of SURFER Magazine, the author of seven books on surfing, and a twenty year local at Ocean Beach. I spoke to him about Rip Curl's decision and why the surf industry appears to be moving away from the Dream Tour ideals.
Swellnet: What is the best time of year for waves at Ocean Beach? Matt Warshaw: December, January. Weather is nicest in November, though. The problem, I think, is that the event is being held on the north end of the beach, on a section that usually isn't as good as what you'd find a bit to the south, along the rest of OB's 1.5 miles of beachbreak.
It's all really fickle. Kind of like Hossegor, but not as good. Lots of fluctuation from block to block, from tide changes. The beach picks up any/all swells, which means there will be surf for sure, but possibly crossed-up. It could be anything from clean overhead tubes to that kind of onshore-sideshore shifty crappy short-period junk surf that Dion Angus claims to prefer. It's always hard, even for pro-level guys, to get a handle on where to sit. It's very likely, as I say, that the surf will be a lot better a few blocks down the beach -- which I'm almost sure is off-limits to Rip Curl
SN: Were you aware that Rip Curl were making plans for a Search competition or were you taken by surprise? MW: I heard rumours maybe three months ago. I did an article for SURFER last month questioning the whole 'Dream Tour' concept, and got a 'no comment' from Rip Curl about San Francisco Search, so figured it was happening. I wasn't taken by surprise, no.
SN: Many years ago I remember reading that there had never been a professional competition north of Santa Cruz and it seemed a fact that San Fran surfers were proud of: does that sentiment still exist there today? MW: No, there were a half-dozen or so pro events here in the late '80s and '90s. The PSAA contests. In fact, it was the season-ending contest, where they crowned the champ. Maybe there are a few diehard anti-contest guys lurking around San Francisco these days, but I think most surfers up here are either stoked, or at least curious, about the Search coming to town.
SN: There has been a shift away from the Dream Tour ideals with comps in New York and Rio, do you think Rip Curl have fallen into lockstep and also gone for the bums on seats approach? MW: I'm baffled, as to why the ASP has taken this turn. The conspiratorialist - is that a word? - in me thinks that they're trying to keep Dane Reynolds interested. Let him punt his little heart out in Long Beach, Rio, SF. Maybe get a win, finally.
An industry friend of mine says that most of the guys on tour could give a shit about perfect 'Dream Tour' waves, and that they just want to do airs all day, and have lots of cool places to go at night. "Tahiti", he said, "bores the shit out of those guys."
SN: Donning the economists hat for a moment: why do you think that the large surfwear companies are reverting to the bums on seats concept? What do you think their rationale is? MW: All I can think of is that they're trying something different. The whole pro tour show isn't as big or profitable as they'd like, even with J-Bay, Chopes, etc, on the schedule, so they're going back to 'big-top' format. Although, to be fair, Rip Curl is saying that the San Francisco event is going to be 'small footprint' -- meaning no side shows, skate ramps, band stages, fashion shows.
I'd like to think it's going to fail. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the US Open is a big hit, so maybe it's already a proven winner. Even though the whole Op Pro experience from the 1980s was such a bust. I guess the difference between now and the Op Pro years - apart from better riot-response teams - is that the pros themselves, at least not yet, don't seem to give much of a shit about contests being scheduled in what will almost certainly be less-than-epic waves. Less then Dreamy waves, I should say. Wonder how Rabbit feels about the new venues?
SN: Here's a hypothetical: you are placed in charge of Rip Curl marketing for a year. Do you follow the literal meaning of the Search and discover unknown waves, or do you visit well-known, yet unexpected, locations? MW: Barra was the only event that was really true to the Search concept. Right? Where were the other contests? St Leu, Uluwatu, Chile, PR. All known breaks. I mean, take the boys to deepest, darkest Madagascar. Take 'em to that ridiculous left that won Surfing mag's Google Earth Challenge a couple of years back. There hasn't really been much 'searching' involved so far. You're just going to a slightly lesser-known break.
Anyway, I don't think viewers care all that much about if a contest venue is known and unknown. I think they care if the surf is good or crap. Finally, I think that if the ASP wants to mess around with the formula, then put some more thought into the webcast presentations -- which are better than then they were five years ago, but nowhere near as good as they could be. But that's a different subject.
Anyway, the Dream Tour concept was, and hopefully will again be, a winner. Stay true to it.
Matt Warshaw's latest book, The History of Surfing, is published by Chronicle Books.
Comments
Finally, I think that if the ASP wants to mess around with the formula, then put some more thought into the webcast presentations -- which are better than then they were five years ago, but nowhere near as good as they could be. But that's a different subject.
I agree completely with this quote above from Warshaw (comments not coming through correctly). The webcasts give us an opportunity to watch no matter where the events are being held. It's a fantastic opportunity to put on a show and really draw in some advertising dollars for the ASP with a professionally run package. It's just so amateurish so far.
From what I saw, the commentators were better at Bells than Snapper I think but a few times sets were rolling in and they'd cut to an add and then in between sets but during the show I think they could do a bit more in terms of putting on mini docos on the area, better interviews with participants and hangers on than the unstructured ramblings that were there. It's getting better as Warshaw said but it could really drive the ASP into bigger dollars for the surfers if they get it right.
Maybe The Outsider could do some video coverage for the ASP.
On the topic, the search probably should be renamed but I still think the idea of a roving contest has merit, even if it's not a previously unknown location.
Using quotation marks sometimes sends the comments into a tizz, Benski. It's a problem that we're fixing.
Further to the interview above: there will be no PWC (jet ski) assist during the comp so it's gonna be a brutal paddle out if they get any size. OB breaks a loooong way out.
No PWC eh? That's full on. I'm over in Seattle at the moment and recently went for a surf at a beachy out on the coast here in the kind of conditions Warshaw talked about. It was only head high or just over but there were two swells coming in of roughly equal wave height (one long period NW and one shorter period WSW) so it made it an absolute prick of a paddle out. No lulls whatsoever, rips that appeared for a minute or two before seeming to disappear, and out the back these constant head high walls. In the end the cold (5-7 degree water) and the non stop duckdiving beat me.
Obviously those guys are in another universe as far as paddling goes but it was unlike anything I've ever had to deal with anywhere on the east coast of Oz, even in surf twice that size.
Sounds like Middleton, 2ft and you still have to paddle 200m to get out the back..
I'm sure OB is much hollower and shapely but.
Rip Curl can do what they want. They are the pay masters and (one of) the employers of the Top 32. But I can't help thinking they've deviated from the concept here. Would anyone go for a surf holiday to Ocean Beach?
They're in a tricky situation though, publicise unknown waves (like Barra) and they cop grief, or run it at known waves like Ulu's and they also cop grief. Then they've approached Raglan, Gnarloo and Lennox and copped grief from locals not wanting more exposure at their breaks. Where do they go?
As an ex-San Francisco local of 8 years who lived across the street from the beach and now has to make the most of it in SA, I'll say it can be absolutely epic at OB but the chances of that happening by limiting themselves to the north end of the beach is probably 5-10%.
Craig, it ain't nothing like Middleton. Picture Middleton-like endless lines of whitewater but with Bullies power falling down on your head.
It will be fun to see what the pros can do to these waves. Hopefully it turns on for them.
This is what they are hoping for: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eggz/74307657/in/set-1235169
This is what they will be missing out on if there is a clean NW swell by not going to the middle of the beach: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eggz/358420833/in/set-1235169
Pictures are from Scott Eggers and amazing local photog
As an ex-SA surfer who spend years in Nth Cal (just the oppisite to you jonesurfer)(and a wife from Seattle, Benski) I'm shocked to hear this. I would think Ripcurl would only choose OB for a "bigtop" type event, but no. And they might need to erase the SEARCH bit in the name.
Maybe they will get Fort Point under the bridge breaking which will be good for a novelty photo, but that's about all...
However I do know 2 spots that break that time of the year, and is relatively close by and can be world class...but I digress.
Either way, there is a place for the search, good luck to Ripcurl, and good luck to the surfers dodging the doggy poo:-)
Bit of tongue in cheek jonesurfer ;)
Who cares where it's held as long as Dane shows up?
And if he doesn't?
Warshaw has it nailed. Having grown-up in NorCal, O.B. - like all locations - can get epic. But I can tell you that unless they get lucky, it'll rival the crappyness that is facing Quiksilver's gamble on Long Island.
I have an idea..... Let's move the comp north to Bolinas and see who can get the highest punt over the men in grey suits! Remember, surfing is no longer about surfing......
I'm not a ex-resident of SF like some of these commentators but I did see it around Christmas 2002 when I was travelling through, going off. It was dark, grey, mighty cold, like Tassie, and practically empty, except for the occasional charger in a full suit, hood and booties, and reminded me of the pictures I've seen of Hossegor - big, hollow peaks, a LONG way out, and super clean and perfect. I'd never seen Woolamai or Johanna looking as big and hollow as that without closing out the beach, so I was impressed. Also the novelty factor of it occuring on a long straight stretch of beach with an esplanade, which reminded me of St Kilda, but with perfect empty surf, was very cool. But it was further down the beach, not where they are proposing to have the contest - and in deep winter.
sounds like a sell out to the air brigade, what about some west coast south oz or nw aust. and see em in some serious waves and other complications.
SHAME SHAME SHAME!!! Why don't ya's hold the whole tour at Huttington.
have two tours an air show wank fest and a proper top 40 surfers in the world charge fest
All of us 9-5 wage slaves shed a tear over that statement.
Back in the pre-Dream Tour era Greeny and Gerlach quit the world tour so they could surf perfect waves. When they quit there was around 20 comps a year, mostly held in rubbish. These days there's 11 comps and they jet off to the Mentawais between fixtures to get their fill of perfect pits.
The pros don't need perfection in contests anymore. They get it every second month while freesurfing somewhere.
Bastards.
Hey boss I found this location. Its a freezing cold beachbreak that gets good sometimes but I want to hold it up the northern end of the beach where it will probably be onshore and closing out. It will be the airfest from hell
As I am one of the many non-fans of pro surfing and the circus that is the industry I am very happy that this decision has been made, and I want them to keep all the contests at highly-populated places and particularly at beachbreaks. Leave the rest of the surfing coastline for us, because we the lad is right, "we don't care about Joel Parkinson et al".
I know this stance will cause heart palpatations amongst circus fans, but I am sorry peoples, I don't think 'they' think you really matter. The proof is in the pudding. The whole caper is just a job for the pros and the companies only want to sell to the masses. You bastards don't even buy there stuff.
Alas!
Oh no, I meant "their" not "there". Phew!
Hey Clif, lets design the stops for the tour. Newquay, Huttington, Bondi, Kuta beach. I'm sure there's some dribbly stuff in Florida and lots not forget New York. Ohh what about Texas!!! Lots at Brazil!!!!
Last contribution pro surfing made to the general surfing populace of any consequence or value.... bells 81 simon anderson thruster
Happy to stand corrected!!
Please don't point out the contradictions in our arguments Clif. It makes it very hard to get outraged and indignant.
I dunno who this cliff guy thinks he is, comin in here with his fancy logic and grammar.
OK.
Australian Leg:
Trigg Beach, Perth Australia
Middleton Beach, Adelaide Australia
South American Leg:
El Pehu, Uruguay
Florianopolis, Brazil
USA Leg:
NY, USA
Ocean Beach, USA
Asian Leg:
Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong
Kuta Beach, Bali
European Leg:
Klitmoller, Denmark
Bournemouth, England
Crown, Hawai'i:
Waikiki
Actually, they are nearly at this list. Keep going ASP. Woohoo! YOU CAN DO IT!
Hmmm...Big Wave Bay sounds promising.
you could throw in india in the mix cliff.
Nah, India cannot go in. Sorry! That is Dave Rastavich's 'free surfing' terrain. We must make sure people do not confuse 'free surfing' with the 'commercial interests/imperatives' of the ASP World Tour!
Actually, I might apply for the top job. A quick google search shows it is a fellow called Brodie Carr who is in charge. Out with him!
I will start the campaign. Petition to come. Please sign to replace Mr Carr with
Sir Clif!
Supported by his team
prawnhead (Vice-president); Blasphemy Rottmouth (cocaine and whisky purchasing officer); Stunet (Media Officer); Freeride (surfer liaison); benski (event manager and all round groupie-mongerer); Smeagian (roadie and first ring fluffer); Craig (creative accountant).
Campaign donations will be kindly accepted forthwith.
Media Officer, eh?
Let the spin begin!
Man I can harldy wait til we get to Bournemouth. It gets 13 foot there.
Aww Cliffie, I wanna be all round groupie-mongerer.
well, you and benski will have to fight it out in the jelly wrestling pool then. lyotards at six paces. i am not sure you have the right stuff ... Human Resource Division want to make sure.
If that's what it takes, the position is yours smeeagain. Anyway, forget this crap, I'm no sellout. I'm gonna go on a soul surfin trip instead of the tour. First stop, Venice Beach. Sweet.
Clif's tour sounds great, an should keep all you guys employed with fat cheques an disco nites.... Mean while on the " other tour " Occy, Luke, Curren, Slater, ect.... an a Young Parko (we'll claim him ) have been in a battle for the 2015 world title. With good swells at Fiji, Gland, Reunion, Jbay, Nisa, Sumba, climaxing in 10' Pipe...... the dream tours back, i can change nappy's an watch it live on tv........
Cliff is spot on. There is a heap of surfers who casually watch this circus with little interest in the personalities, we just want to watch the waves. And some spend lifetimes finding how to get to out of the way places, just to have the circus come and sodomise the places in two weeks like fly in/fly out miners, get what they want and move on, leaving local villagers with a warped perspective on how much money most western people have (think kelly Slater in Nias), then we have to actually deal with the villagers on a daily basis, we dont have a Pro bubble to hide in.
So good on you Ripcurl or whoever is driving this bus for changing the format, because despite what hoppy says NW WA and the west coast dont want the circus in town, and much respect goes to Ronny for not selling his little paradise to Ripcurl in the past.
I kind of get tired of hearing the Pro circus and Layne Beachley types blowing wind up their own arse about "developping surfing" or whatever. Developing for who? A bigger market for themselves, for most surfers there are more than enough people in the water, we dont need a bigger market. Stop being so selfish, the sport will develop even if Pro surfing stopped tomorrow.
And as to all the talk about tv coverage and increasing "fans" or whatever, even for surfers watching a contest can be quite boring, so hyping up and improving tv coverage might get a few more starstruck japanese morons chasing Slater for an autograph, but really, get some perspective if you dont surf, the whole show does not make much sense, surfing's soul was sold out a long time ago, but the industry has become shamelesss in it's self promotion, so much so that the once least crass and commercial sport has become the most, not a good look.
Clif, I want to be the Human Resources Director. You know I can do it.
I'm with you Clif. The circus means squat to me, however now that it webcasts it can fill in an otherwise dull day at work.
But apart from that, no, I really don't care.