Bobby Blows It
Yesterday, in an interview on the Channel Islands website, Bobby Martinez announced he is quitting the tour, and that he was doing so to take a stand against the ASP. It was the culmination of a long bout of public blow ups and bizarre Twitter outbursts.
On the surface the ongoing Bobby Martinez drama has all the appearances of a playground tantrum, yet despite the callow protestations, the BIG TALK, and the I'm-taking-my-bat-and-ball-and-going-home threats it invokes a classical argument.
That being: Is it more effective to change the system from within it, or from outside of it?
By quitting the tour Bobby has chosen the latter and is gonna try and shake shit up from outside the fortress walls. He can now say whatever he wants, with CAPS LOCK permanently depressed, and without any fear of reprisal. I imagine he is feeling relieved.
To draw historical comparisons, Kelly Slater was similarly disillusioned with the tour in the mid-90's. Feeling maligned by a judging criteria that didn't reward his aerial approach he began making noise, venting his frustration in magazine interviews. Hawks were circling too: Dekka Hynd with his IS tour ready to scoop Irons, Beschen and whoever else would sign.
Yet history also shows that Slater rallied the surfers and shook shit up from inside. He had a vote, he had a voice and he had resolve. The pen pushers listened and the system changed.
The reality for Bobby Martinez is unfolding differently. He's relinquished the only two things that can lead to change: his surfer's vote, and his standing as a pro surfer on the tour. His voice won't be heard within the system and pretty soon it won't be heard from outside of it either.
Bobby Martinez the pro competitor has reduced himself to Bobo the internet commentator, throwing bombs across the web, but unfortunately for Bobo he defuses them all with his slippery grip on language. He will be listened to, of course, but only in a way that people listened to Charlie Sheen. His capacity to influence will go the same way.
Meanwhile, the tour will bounce along happily without him. Bobby's gone, there's 852 more ready to take his place. 852, that's the number of surfers registered on the One World rankings, which is Bobby's big bone of contention. Yet going on the interview it appears that Bobby simply doesn't understand the system. So while he rails against it perhaps he should consider what Yadin Nichol thinks of it, or JJ-Flo, or Mig Pupo or any of the young fellas about to clear out the deadwood via the cut. Viva la revolution!
Toward the end of the interview, an exasperated Bobby says of the surfer meetings that shape the tour, "It's just too much politics", which is barely concealed code for, "I'm not getting what I want". So now, free of censure, Bobby can broadcast an unrestrained voice across the internet – which is still politics, even if he isn't aware of it – but alas, he'll never get what he wants by doing that.
Read the full interview here. And if you haven't heard Dane is another Tahitian no-show, though at least he has a plan.
Comments
Some people should just let their surfing do all the talking.
It will be a shame not to see Bobby at Chopes. His life, his call.
A great backhand, but no real aerial game. BM was deluding himself if he thought he was gonna be a future threat on the tour, he would've had to keep his spot via the one world rankings anyway.
Going to miss the fire though. Chips on the shoulder are great for spectators.
Good judgement appears not to be one of Bobby's strong points. In 2008, with the worlds economy going to hell in a handbasket, he rejected an offer by his long-time sponsor, Reef. By the time he made up his mind that, yes $500 000+ a year shouldn't be sniffed at, Reef pulled the offer from the table.
With negotiating skills like that is it any wonder the other surfers didn't side with him?
What does he want?? The surfers voted for the changes. Doesn't anyone remember the freaking Rebel Tour imbroglio and all he shit that was being piled on Brodie Carr's doorstep. So he changed it - sanctioned by the surfers - and still gets spoiled gits whingeing. Seriously, fuck off Bobby.
The ASP has some shady things about it. For years we have watched judges not know how to judge Taj, for example. You're not allowed to not understand the future as every sport evolves, if you're a freaking judge.
Back to this sad situation. I'd walk too if ASP is a monster very few can beat. ASP tried to hide the truth about Andy Irons (RIP) rather than let his death be a warning for the groms of the sport. AS IF we didn't know Andy was using!
Whatever
It's all over Bobby. You're an Iced Bobo
I wonder what he will do for a living now?
ahhhh the ASP, the be all and end all of surfing as we know it. NOT! These guys need to wake up and realise they dont control the world of surfing and if a better tour started up, by by job at ASP! Get your shit together tour! Bobo may be a hothead but the guy rips and has a point!
Split the tour I say. One for aerial gymps (2ft tour) and one for power(proper) surfing!!
You sound so much like a schoolteacher.Keep it straight, play by the rules, dont rock the boat. Wank wank.
I think it's good for surfing and the ASP. Let's see how the venting goes.
Not too many surfers would be willing to throw the life they have away like this.
Intriguing!
@trolleyboy
explain "Wank wank" - I get the feeling it's funny.
A.Yank.
When he starts typing hes like a baby boy whos found his cock and cant keep his hand off it.
With all due respect Bobby is right. The One World Ranking is just nonsense.
No need for the qualifier Nug. You're well presented, shiny shoes, hair parted - I ain't taking offence.
There is an air of familiarity about the complaints of the One World system. When the ASP split the tours in '94 cries of a 'learners tour' and such were billowing from every critic. It took a year or two of fine tuning by the ASP and understanding by the surfers to call it a success.
I reckon the One World ranking is similar. I'm as resistant to change as any other grumpy old prick but after reading through it I kinda like the system. The fact that One World runs over 12 months and the World Tour over a calendar year creates opportunities for surfers to take breaks - such as Dane is doing now - to avoid burnout. I also reckon other strategies will emerge once surfers figure them out.
And with respect to Bobby...well, sort of...he justified his hatred of the system on the fact that 'spectators dont care about the One World system'. Hey Bobby, they didn't care about the 'QS either. And he also said that surfers deserve a year on tour to have a shot at the world title. Well, has any rookie made the Top 10 of the World Tour, let alone had a run at the title.
This way they can get a taste of the system without risking a Royden Bryson (not winning a single heat). They may get bumped down but they can get back far easier than the old sytem would allow.
*cough* Slater won in his rookie year. Taj came second also if i recall.
Bobby has a very nice backhand blast, but he's been smoking too much mex if he thinks the ASP are going to cry themselves to sleep now that he's packed his bat and ball. He's not as marketable as a Slater/Parko/Mick etc and will be forgotten quicker than a one night stand at a B&S.
Gangsters don't buy rashies, ese.
Bobby's backhand surfing defines, defined & will define exactly what the surf movie titled 'Mental Surfing' really is. God Bless you Mr. Martinez. Your fire inside is the light that's what's up. East Coast continues to posess all the class, try again westside. Please cast Bobby's profile in the 1st ever strictly backhand surf movie ... his backside surfing bliss is hot lava.
No one explained "Wank wank" - is that an expression in Australia for masturbation?
What's up with the down on Bobby crew? He's a grown man. He's entitled to make his own decisions.
Why so critical?
Personally, I'd like to see all contests stopped. Contest mentality sucks.
Z-man..he might have tried to say Yank Wank. I would have said Yankee Wanker if it was me..but he can say it how he wants.I'm a Yank living in Oz,it's Yanks who make puff up their chest and and get all serious about something silly that contributes to my embarrasemnt of Americans. Any other words you need cleared up to help you get to sleep?
Murph - where did you re-locate. I have a good friend in Lennox Heads I visited in '98. He's been there since the middle '70's. Maybe you know him?
No need to get snarky murph, I was just asking. Do you see anywhere that I was making fun of anything?
No you don't.
Seems you may have brought some of that "puff up your chest" with you? Am I right?
It's only 2 in the arvo mate, I'm allowed to stay up until the street lights come on!
Stu, while I agree with most points you have made the one I scratch my head at is now the surfers have a chance to take a break so they don't burn out??? What 12 comps a year that can be completed in 3 days each. A whole 36 days surfing. Poor guys! And what do they do when they have a break, go surfing?
What the ASP need to understand is the non surfing general public dont understand surfing and are more likely to watch it if held in big freakshow type surf. As a surfer of 40 years I understand how hard it is to do a air move but to them when they compare a snowboarder or skater huckin some huge air off a jump or halfpipe to a surfer doing a air off 2foot beachbreak slop they will pick the snowboarder, skater every time. The ASP should stop worrying about impressing the General public, they have tried for decades. Surely there are enough surfers in the world to keep the tour viable.
p-funk - you're funny!
gangsters/rashies - ese
apropos!
If the tour has got it so right, where is Bruce Irons, margo and rasta bailed and now bobby, some of the worlds best surfers just are'nt comp heads and the direction the tour is going in is one of glam and big budget events in places with lots of people regardless of surf, even Kelly missed J-bay to surf pumping Fiji which isnt on the tour anymore, (maybe cos theres nowhere for a gandstand and merch tent) winning platters and pieces of tin isn't everyones dream, differnt strokes for different folks
@ p-funk,
Slater won in his rookie year but it was before the tour split, which was the pertinent point. Taj came second in his second year on tour.
@Stever12,
Well, it's a lot more than 36 days. 2 weeks for each WT comp plus travel is half the year, plus PRIME and Star (formerly QS), plus sponsors duties, and they are busier than what many people realise. Yeah, not as busy as us workaday folk, and yeah, they have one of the best jobs going...but it's still a job.
Don't fall for the fantasy, they are not on holidays. That type of thinking is cast from the mind of someone with only 4 weeks a year annual leave hoping to go to Tahiti and wind down. Surf contests are serious business for someone who makes their livelihood from competitive surfing. Most surfers wouldn't have a clue how stressful they can be.
@barneygumble,
Some people just don't like competition. As I said above it's stressful and hard to have to surf to win all the time. Bruce, unlike his brother, didn't have that mindset. He was there for some of the best years of the Dream Tour so he saw incredible waves, yet he still quit. Why blame the ASP for that?
Margo had an undiagnosed condition which has been covered elsewhere and I won't go into here. Rasta also knew early on that contest surfing wasn't for him. He made only most feeble of attempts and looking back I doubt he regrets not trying harder - fellas got it made in the shade.
@ stu I understand what your saying and yes any comp is stressful but there aren't too many WT surfers that are doing all the other comps. I'm sure any ex pro that has had to join us mere mortals in normal everyday work life will tell you what they prefer to be doing.
Z-man..have you been saying arvo and mate since 98? I've been here 10 yrs and those words will just not come out naturally.Must sound a bit better wherever it is that you wear your Akubra and Dryzabone.
Murphys law - did everyone celebrate your departure from the home of your origin?
I wonder if the party is still going on?
No money no adulation.Good luck dude. I liked his fighting spirit in comps but I don't want to watch him free surf. He was asked at Snapper what dims he was riding and he said he didn't know,knew nothing about boards and just rode what he was given. That's a guy with raw talent who requires the structure of the ASP to survive.
Bye Bob.
Bobby has let his surfing do the talking for so long but hasn't been enjoying it. i reckon its good for him to finally enjoy his surfing off the tour, though i do agree that this whole debating issue about the unfairness of the tour is a bit out there. i think everyone should just hold back on dissing him on his personality but say whatever they like about what he wants out of the tour. i personally dont care about whatever he wants out of the WCT but i still wanna see his surfing talent represented in some way in the surfing industry.
Looks like the interviewer never got it Bobby. I wouldn't worry too much you are now part of an Aussie ICON family and good luck to you. To the post interview author 'what the?' You say he doesn't understand the new format. The fact is he does but has a different take on it. To bag him is a folly and only makes you look like a kook.
It looks like a dummy spit. Unless you can come out and really explain it, it will always look like a dummy spit. I'm not saying it is, I'm just saying how it will look.
Stu's right about the surfing life not being as good as it might appear. The stress of results, unless you are Taj, Slater, Parker or Fanning, not knowing whether you will make it next year, what are you going to do for a real job if you can't stay on the tour for 10 plus years and really make some good investments to die you over after that part of your life is over.
The come down is staring you in the face, and it is a drop as big as a Teahupo monster.
And then there is the competition thing, which can spoil anything if you aren't of a frame of mind to take that on, and the fact that anything you do for money quickly becomes a labour, even surfing.
Bit like Pro Tennis without the money.
Look up the word tosser in your aussie slang book
Awwwwh Murph!
Don't go away mad!
Bobby interview with Todd Kline at the Quik pro (what a fcuking dogs dinner this comp is so far) going to town on the ASP. I can almost guarantee that wont make it onto heats on demand.
Fuck yeah Bobby!! Way to slam the door on your way out.
The commentators can maintain their circular hand-job all they want.
I reckon he has a point.
And flipping ads, I didn't know being a rock-star or a model was a pre-requisite for being a surfer.
Since the current level at the top end of competitive surfing has passed him by, leaving him frustrated, relegated to the shadows, Bob-Mart and his latest sponsors are repackaging him as a soul surfer. With a side order of the occasional QS and or regional event meant to keep his mug in the public eye.
Nothing has changed. He's still in the business of attempting to sell as many boards, DVDs, and surf togs possible.
I have to agree with Bobby that pro surfing is getting more and more like tennis. The closest thing to individuality is Wilko rollerblading in tights. No one says what they feel, and if they do, they are punished.
We need guys like Bobby to shake it up. ASP lost all credibility with me as soon as they put ads on their website. I still follow the pro tour but come on boys - what next insurance ads?
Logos on wetsuits?... Pfff. there have been logos on surfboards for many decades.
Big time logos like Bubdweiser, Fosters, Ford, and Telstra. VF Corporation, Mr. Price, and Coors Lite,
Here's Bob's marketing coup... It went down perfectly.
Unlike BKS - Bob Kelly Slater, Bob Marteniz's game stagnated. He was being swallowed whole by the new crew's maneuovers. . Up against BKS in the next round, Bob's chances of avoiding the cut was absolute nil.
His latest spono is FTW. And that sugary soda, Monster Energy Drink, a division of Hansen "Natural" Corporation. revenues 1.15 BILLION in one year alone. (Monster, which has distribution agreements with Anheuser- Busch, Grupo Jumex, Pepsico. Manufacturing agreements with Coca Cola).
Bob-O is not being paid to flog kiddie clothes at K-Mart..... yet....
The brand backing Bob-Mart are in the business to design and sell so called hard core over priced tees, caffeine and glucose drinks geared straight at the every growing yobbo market.
Quite obvious that this whole thing was planed in advance.
Thsse surf corporations, whether large and small, are smarter than the average whinging fan!
Dive right in, and take a big bite....
Stick rattling the swill bucket!
Marketing 101.
Bye Bye Bobo. You blazed brightly across the pro surfing sky but you will be forgotten by next week.
The founder of FTW sounds like an interesting cat. Check this NY Times article on him:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/nyregion/06surf.html
By 'interesting' you mean 'fuckwit'.
I assume.
Thanks for the link, Stu. Didn't know much of this Bobby Vaugh, or FTW, so yea, cheers!
Bobby, coupled with his new sponsor, are blowing it... Blowing it all the way to the bank. And if you will recall that OG Jesse James, who's gansta look sold heaps for several years with the celebrity crowd, ended up eventually selling out, and selling his line of togs at Walmart.
At the right price, expect to see the likes of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga, (who marketing angle is to tell her public that she is not in it for the money), to be possibly paid to wear the latest FTW garb..... As she's so damn street y'all.
Marketing 101, bitches.
Hey, even gansta's hold half off sales on all brand names surf togs!
http://www.nycwatershots.com/new-york-city-local-surf-community-news/ftw...
It actually seems like the perfect sponsor for Bobby at the moment. Too bad once Bobby gets kicked off the tour he will only have his Twitter account as his marketing power.
I hope there is some plan there. Seems such a waste just to blow off a pretty good lifestyle over not very much.
I'm assuming the family is loaded or the sponsors contract is substantial and ongoing. I can't see a battler doing something like this.
The twin Bob's had a great scheme planned well in advance.
Bob Mart was done and dusted, about to be self demoted to the minor leagues thru his own competitive failures .... And he went out with the cash money in his pocket, homies.
Take notes, ya'll... Marketing and Promotion 101.
Under contract with a new up and coming brand name...
Playing the part of a rebel with a clause.
A pretty brash way of going out but I give him credit for his conviction! All sponsors etc surely would have pulled the pin and he would've known that was going to happen but he did it anyway. He's in it for the love of surfing, and when the politics of it overran the surfing itself, the love was lost. I can understand that. When politics and ego turn something you love that is so simple and pure into a complex and confusing game that you need to tiptoe around and be very careful about what you say, that love crumbles. Nice little rant eh
PS. Swellnet, the PS3 ad pop ups are hugely frustrating! Cant look at a sequence of photos without the ad coming up over each image aaaaarrrrrrgggh!
PS. surfers shouldn't have to compose themselves like politicians! Nice clear bold statements Bobby! If only politics could tap into a bit of that
Phil,
Are not politicians similar to Bob Mart? They run hype funded by corporations to "get by?
Chris Mauro wrote a cool little piece on this episode.
http://www.grindtv.com/surf/blog/30068/dear%20bobby/
Regardless of whether Bobby had a point or not, it's a shame that whatever he was trying to say got lost in the babble. I get the feeling most people were just impressed that he was giving the ASP some stick, irrespective of what he was exactly saying.
An interesting rebuttal from B-Mart:
http://vimeo.com/29056996
He does have a point about new guys coming in half way through the year when they can't possibly win a title that same year. I kind of agree with him - if you've slogged it out long enough on the qualifying series it's only fair you should get a crack at one full year and not half a year....
In that FTW interview, all Bob Mart's is saying is that the current ASP structure is too competitive. And that it's not fair, that he couldn't compete with the current changes going on with the level of competitive surfing.
He sure has a nice platform to promote that company he's partners in.
Even though according to Bobo, the end is near, The End Of The World As We Know It is at hand, he's fucking taking it to the bank. So, pleases send cash money, homie.
Bob's game doesn't include the big airs. Or killing it in big surf. All of his results on tour came in the shoulder high stuff. So in this game of marketing products, professional surfing, 'ya got to go with what 'ya got. Sell yourself as the bad guy. The misunderstood outcast. The Rebel with a cause in your contract...
Bob Mart is smart. Not like everyone says, he's not dumb...
Find the way to F the word... on a worldwide basis.
Bank it.
Bob and his partners are quite experienced and aware of marketing product 101.
Their business plan of printing the name of their brand on basic t-shirts and hats is an effective copy of a very popular film that was successful employing the image and the word.
Maybe you've seen it?
@ the roller
that last youtube post was hilarious
barney G,
That's just one of many popular meaningless films and or products people will choose to spend their crumbs on.... Basic business 101.
Bo Mart and his partners knows how to market such 'effing the meaningless shits, mate.
Boys be taking it all the way to the bank!
On a second note, this Rottkamp kook who's always going on and on about the end of competitive surfing, The ASP, majorly profitable corporations marketing and selling branded surf togs, TEOTWAWKI, armageddon, horror movies, vampires, and whatever fictional bullness he's constantly whinging on about,...
the old boy's as wrong, and full of hype, as any given marketed offering from the major movie biz.
&feature=relatedJust humming right along...
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/09/16/279775_news.html
C'mon Brew, retail's down right across the country - not just the surf industry.
How is Quiksilver's news any different from Premier (who own Just Jeans, Portmans, Dotti, Jay Jays etc, all non-surf industry fashion), who have "reported a 50 per cent drop in full-year net profit".
..."Premier has already closed 19 Portmans stores this year and will walk away from other sites if rents aren't brought in line with the weakest retail trading environment in 30 years."
http://www.smh.com.au/business/retailers-being-gouged-20110919-1khwo.html
Yep... that is the point Ben. That is the point.
The world is changing...
Sure, the world is changing. But I still don't understand your point.
You're insinuating there's a specific reason Quiksilver (and the rest of the surf industry) are doing it tough, but I can't see the parallels with Portmans (and other non-surf industry companies), who are also doing it tough alongside the entire Australian retail sector.
Portmans, Just Jeans, Dotti and Jay Jays' marketing strategy doesn't involve multi-million dollar surfing competitions or sponsored surfers. A poor retail environment appears to be the common denominator.
So what's the big secret?
My single point in this comment thread was to address the previous comment by the thing blinded by his own misconstrued personal notions about me. That comment mentioned "majorly (like so majorly) profitable corporations marketing and selling surf branded togs." It also mentioned the end of the world as we know it... which happens all the time.
That's all. At this point.
Just throwing out yet another fact that shows surf Corpos are in sad shape... and we all know where that leaves the ASP and its falling stars roster.
Fair 'enough, just needed some context - thanks for the clarification.
One company, one sector, does not make an economy. Nor is it merely one company from one sector of the very diverse global economy that throws sponsorship money towards professional surfing in all of it's forms.
Noting that he's as reactionary as ever, lil miss Rottkamp must be drunk and pilled up again.
Yes, things are always in flux to the downside. As well as up.... Still, many companies are doing better than ever. And many people out there are ready and willing to take the risks of the business world,... with Bob Martinez being a perfect example, currently building a brand new brand name from scratch!
Too bad facts like this have passed old drunk guy by.
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=vfc&inst...
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=nke&inst...
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=ZA%3AMPC...
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=hans&ins...
@B-R
To tell the truth, I enjoyed your rants a lot more when I couldn't understand them; they at least amused and entertained.
Lately, they have been more intelligible, but a lot less fun to read.
@the Roller
A well-marshalled argument does not need a personal attack to bring it home.
Great points Roller. Wow. You really know how to address your own topics well. Like enviting everyone over for Salmon and serving them a pile of catfish shit. No one will know the difference right?
Good luck here. Hope they teach you to swim.
I am done. I am off to be reactionary elsewhere.
Queu drug, alcohol and whatever other personal attacks a person can make up about another person's fake internet personae...
Sad when the act of surfing passes 'ya by, old Rottkamp, 'ya shiteater.... Even sadder when these facts about professional surfing as we know it do as well.
Pro surfing, and the multitude of mega companies that partake in it ain't ending anytime soon!
Bobo Martinez is doing what every pro surfer before him and after has done, making bank, and cashing in on his brand name,... by any means necessary. Let's hope he make a heaping pile.
So, when do you put your money where your pie hole hangs out? When do you Free The Wallet, and buy some FTW gear?