On Monday we found out that The world's longest running surf mag was being shut down by it's kook publishers.
Todd Prodanovich, Surfer’s editor in chief since 2015, said the magazine’s staff got word on Friday. “We were told that we were being technically furloughed, but it was pretty clear there was no intention to bring the jobs back at any point, that essentially our duties had ended,”
Surfer has been traded dozens of times over the last 20 years to different non surfing publishers. Maybe the writing had been on the wall for a long time. Surfer had been in print for a staggering 60 years. Now Australia's Surfing World is the longest running surf mag, although it too has traded owners many times.
For a surf photographer Surfer was the pinnacle publication to be in.
To be perfectly honest, I'm part of the problem. Despite growing up reading every single issue of Surfer as a stoked out grom [and of course Tracks]... despite working in the Surf Print game my entire adult life; I haven't bought a Surfer magazine in years, it maybe a decade.
We all simply consume and gain our stoke differently now. Quick hits on social platforms. Those damn small hand held devices. The punk in me loves that everyone can DIY and post to formats that anyone can then see. The battle hardened old surf photo journo in me reels at the self absorbed, mediocre and sensationalist dross we are fed. More does definitely not equal better.
While I hadn't picked up a Surfer in a very long time I did gravitate to especially Todd Prodanovich's posted stories on Surfer.com. He's prepared to talk about racial and sexual inequalities within our surf culture. To highlight environmental issues. He does so with back checked, creditable sourcing. It will be interesting to see where and how Todd's fine work pops up in the future. As with my old Hawaiian roommate Grant Ellis, Surfer Magazine's Photo Editor for the last 17 years. [sorry, had to be a noter on that one!]
So, once again, I type; farewell old friend. Thank you for the Surfer Reports [remember those!] Thank you for your unrepentant Cali-centric view of the wide world tribe of surfing. Thank you for presenting the world's best surf images and words for 60 long years and providing our very best photographers and word slayers with a home.
Hei konei ra Surfer
You were overdue for a giveaway
And here it was The Piha Bar Pano canvas stretched and ready to hang at 610mm wide. It was drawn at 5pm Tuesday 6 October. Over 100 people entered, which is REALLY good for PhotoCPL draws, but shows you if you do enter, the odds are really good.. even you dodgey fellas that double dipped with multiple email addresses! There will be more giveaways, more often. The winner has been notified, canvas wrapped, packed and winging its way to Wellington. Wanna be in to win? You can subscribe HERE
From the Bookstore
The South Seas is out and NZ Surf The Collection Volume 2 ain't too far behind! I think there's less than 200 left...maybe more, but either way it's not gonna last summer. If you want a copy or just a window shop, check it out HERE