By many accounts, 2011 was a difficult year. Financially, the global economy struggled while politically, citizen uprisings reminded governments that the masses will be heard. Surfing endured similar tectonic shifts. From Kelly Slater’s moving tribute to Andy Irons to the scientific underpinnings of “stoke,” these are The Inertia’s ten most popular stories from 2011.
Top Stories
1. How I Remember Andy by Kelly Slater
“If we learn anything from the loss of Andy Irons, let it be that the impact of Andy being gone brings us closer to the ones and the things that we love.” – Kelly Slater
2. Mark Visser Is One Crazy Mofo by The Inertia
Last we checked, Mark Visser was night-surfing Jaws. This time, he’s skydiving into open ocean waves. Yup. Tossing his skis and equipment from an airplane with his body not too far behind.
3. Demystifying the Life and Death of Andy Irons by Tetsuhiko Endo
In life, Irons’ rock star combination of savant surfing and personal brashness polarized the surf community like few other public figures, so it’s grimly fitting that his death should do the same.
4. A Few Clarifications about the Wave Company by Kelly Slater
Recently an article was published on SwellNet that called into question the inspiration and development of our Wave Company, and I thought I’d share my perspective on things.
5. Honoring My Friend, Andy Irons by Keala Kennelly
“After Andy died I had a dream about him. He said he didn’t mean for things to turn out the way they did – that he still wanted to be here with us.” – Keala Kennelly
6. Review: Soul Surfer by Zach Weisberg
Cute Blonds in Bikinis + Katy Perry Soundtrack + Shark Attack + Miraculously True Story of One-Armed Pro Surfer = $$$$$. Right? Right.
7. Women In Surf: No Girls Allowed by Tetsuhiko Endo
Surfing and sex are inseparable, and thank God for that, but female pro surfers aren’t glamour models; they are elite athletes who deserve to compete in great waves.
8. Scientists Froth on Surf Stoke by Bridget Reedman
While we’re all familiar with the inherent benefits of surfing, research shows that people feeling “surf stoked” are, in fact, enjoying a chemical cocktail triggered by charged ions found in the atmosphere around turbulent water.
9. Building Your Own SUP(os) by Alexander Haro
We looked into buying an SUP, but being two horribly debt-entrenched blue collar types, we decided that building one was a much better plan.
10. The Photo That Does Not Exist by Kirk Owers
In December 1969, Greg Noll capped off a trail-blazing big wave career by surfing “the biggest wave ever ridden.” Or did he?
