SURFINGMAGAZINE.COM's FEARLESS PREDICTIONS FOR 2008
2007 was a pretty interesting year. Mick and Stephanie won the world titles. Alternative surfboard materials took major leaps forward. Dave Rastavich brought awareness to the inhumanity of the whale slaughters in Japan. It was a busy year full of unpredictability and intrigue.
We've said it before and we'll say it again: The future is unpredictable. But for entertainment purposes, we'll indulge ourselves and reveal our top 10 predictions for 2008:
PREDICTION #1: AN AMERICAN WILL NOT WIN THE WORLD TITLE ON EITHER THE MENS OR WOMENS WORLD TOURS
Look at it this way - Americans stood at the top of the mens tour for the past 20 years pretty much uncontested. With a few of the top US competitors either positioning themselves to retire or just for lack of general interest, the Aussies look stronger than ever. And don't look at that as disrespect towards the Australian contingent. Just when the U.S. isn't looking as dominant as it once was, the Aussies are looking better than ever. Mick captured what will surely be the first of several world titles to come, and in the process he has motivated his fellow countrymen to join him on his world domination tour. Which leads us to prediction #2...
PREDICTION #2: JOEL PARKINSON (pictured above) WILL WIN THE 2008 FOSTER'S ASP WORLD TITLE
He won't be as dominant as Mick was this year, but we're going out here on a limb and saying that that look on Joel Parkinson's face said it all when Mick clinched the top spot. As Mick was being hoisted from the water and carried up the beach, you couldn't help but wonder if the equally talented Parkinson had big plans for the future in order to secure HIS first title. We say he's got something up his sleeve, and his finals appearance at the 2007 Billabong Pipe Masters is just the beginning. And while we're at it, Stephanie Gilmore will repeat as world champ on the women's side. Also, Jordy Smith will be your rookie of the year too.
PREDICTION #3: SURFRIDER STILL HAS BIG A FIGHT ON THEIR HANDS
We all know that the 241 Toll Road is an environmental disaster just waiting to happen. But the TCA is still looming despite the overwhelming evidence in their face that says not to build this road. Our prediction - it ain't over yet. The Surfrider Foundation still needs our help and you can do your part by joining Surfrider or making a donation at www.Surfrider.org
PREDICTION #4: AIRS: IT'S ALL ABOUT GOING BIG
Someone is going to pull off one of the most amazing unassisted airs you've ever seen. It will be in every mag, and it will be named the weirdest name you've ever heard. Oh wait. That happened in 2007? And 2006? Well, it's going to happen again.
PREDICTION #5: SURFBOARD FINS ARE GOING TO MAKE A MAJOR LEAP
Remember a few years ago when FCS introduced those Webber curved fins? We'll there's something else out there on the horizon that is going to make some major waves. We're not sure what it is just yet, but it will be this year's quad fin type design. You know what we're talking about - something that everyone wants to try, but doesn't until it's "proven" already. Well, this is the year that it's discovered. Next year we'll be writing about the new design that everyone will be using.
PREDICTION #6: STAND UP PADDLERS WILL BE LAUGHED AT AND MOCKED AT SURF BREAKS AROUND THE WORLD
It's the best day your local break has seen in years. A-frame peaks as far as you can see. You spend all morning getting yourself in position for what appears to be the best set of the day only to hear "LOOK OUT!!!" as you go to stand up. As you pull back, you see a stand up paddler go by on what appears to be a slightly over-sized oil tanker of a board with the latest $1200 graphite-handled oar in his hands as he does no turns, bogs rails, and practically runs down everyone in the lineup. Sound familiar? The past 2 years, the popularity of this act has grown increasingly more common. Celebrities are photographed lazily paddling them on vacation while getting "The same workout as Laird Hamilton". Puh-lease. In reality, this has become the new craze of the uber wealthy surfer. Just because you can afford the equipment doesn't mean that you own the lineup. Common courtesy and standard wave-riding etiquete should still apply.
PREDICTION #7: SHHHHHHHHH. IT'S A SECRET
There will be more and more "secret locations" shown in the mags this year. But here's the catch: you won't know where they are. For years there has been local complaints about exposing secret spots. This year - we say "NO MORE". Keep the secrets a secret. And if you want to go find a secret spot of your own - grab a map and a buddy and don't tell anyone else. That's how a secret works, you know.
BIG Teahupoo, I tell you. BIG.PREDICTION #8: TEAHUPOO IS GOING TO GO MENTAL
2007's massive November 1st swell? A blip on the radar. Teahupoo is going to go big and it's going to happen often this year. The Billabong Pro Tahiti will be legendary. Pros will be dropping from the sky into massive death pits. Water rescues left and right. It's gonna be big. Real big.
PREDICTION #9: DION AGIUS WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH
With the creation of his own website, (www.Globe.tv/Dion) Globe's goofy-footed video blogger is going to be a entertaining guy to watch. Globe set him up with a camera and basically told him to go out and film anything he does. Whether that is running around acting like a clown at the Globe offices or catching up with close friends like Ry Craike and Taj Burrow, it's sure going to be entertaining to watch.
PREDICTION #10: DUDE, YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR FACE...
In 2007, the surfing world was exposed to Movember. That's the annual month where many of the touring pros grow their mustaches for charity (www.Movember.com). But we liked what we saw: Taylor Knox looking like a crazed Hell's Angel. Mason Ho looking very Derek Ho. And Jake Paterson looking like some sort of evil henchman plotting to take over the world. 2008 is the year that we'll all be looking at each other and wondering just what they hell we were thinking for growing these things. But we'll keep 'em anyway.