Quiksilver Pro 2010 The Outsider - Epilogue

In: Quiksilver Pro 2010 by Steve Shearer 18 Comments Mon 8th Mar '10

Tags: steve shearer , Quiksilver Pro

Steve Shearer
March 8, 2009

The circus has left town and the dust has settled.

Now we must consider answers to some of the questions posed through the course of the week, answers we concede are less than conclusive and still in a state of nebulous formation. We accept they are merely guideposts and hints along the way.

In terms of the generational change in the ASP ranks Dane has effectively set the terms and conditions on which contest judging will be set and hence the world title be decided on. The new criteria has established Reynold's surfing as it's benchmark. The rest of the top ten will now be judged accordingly. This, despite Reynolds being unlikely to play anything more than a spoiling role in the title race. He has a technical and performance advantage at every location bar Chopes and Pipe.

Slater will be forced to make more astute quiver choices if he is to maintain favour with the judges, Fanning will need to combat the perception that his surfing has become one-dimensional and predictable and Parkinson will need to increase his turn speed. Teebs will need to apply more power in waves over three feet. Rookies prepared to play with increased risk will easily beat established pros.

In the world of surf journalism as of March 7, year of our lord 2010, there is a clear move away from the dated and moribund writing that has characterised the genre. Comments now mean the conversation is inclusive and that can only be a good thing in these eyes. Defining any impressionistic writing as 'Gonzo' journalism remains a recurrent cliche. Defining reality by reference to generally agreed upon 'facts' has been shown to be nothing but an internal construct of the mind and thus open to endless interpretation.

The Outsider wishes to unreservedly apologise for comments attributed to Wayne Deane in the opening blog which could be misconstrued as the attitude held by Wayne and his family towards competitive surfing. Wayne has a distinguished record with regards to surfing competitions. A record his son Noa is proudly following. The remarks were tongue in cheek and not meant to be taken seriously.

Why would someone so deeply ambivalent about Professional Surfing choose to write about it? Why does a war correspondent write about war? Because there is something fundamentally human and thus flawed about it. Something fascinating about this need of humans to compete: for land, for ideas, for resources. Because in the Fog of War the truth is easily masked. Bought and sold for nefarious purposes.

Of course Pro Surfing is not a War, but it is a deeply satisfying sublimation of these ancient instinctual urges and blood murmurings. Ambivalence alone is no reason not to participate: Dane Reynolds has proved that toint with remarkable clarity.

The gold leopard skin pen is now safely sheathed and the next swell is incoming.
Happy surfing.

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