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Are there any notable rivalries or controversies within the surfing community?

Fitzhugh Presnall

Hey there,

In the surfing community, there are definitely a few notable rivalries and controversies that have come to light over the years. As with any sport or hobby, there are bound to be disagreements and differences of opinion, especially when it comes to competition and personal beliefs.

One of the biggest rivalries within the surfing community is between the Californian and Australian surfers. These two groups have been competing against each other for decades, with each one claiming to be the best. While the rivalry has mostly been friendly, there have been some intense moments over the years. One such incident occurred at the 2000 World Surfing Championships, when Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo accused the judges of favoring Californian surfer Kelly Slater in the final round of competition.

Another controversy within the surfing community revolves around the use of performance-enhancing drugs. While not necessarily a new issue, it has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. In 2018, Australian surfer Ethan Ewing was suspended for six months after testing positive for a banned substance. Ewing claimed that he had unknowingly ingested the substance while taking a dietary supplement recommended by his coach. Nevertheless, the incident sparked a debate among surfers and fans alike about the use of drugs in the sport.

In addition to these controversies, there have been a few notable rivalries between individual surfers. For example, American surfers Kelly Slater and Andy Irons had a bit of a rivalry in the early 2000s. The two surfers were often matched up against each other in competitions, and their heated exchanges both in and out of the water made for great drama. Another notable rivalry was between Australian surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. The two surfers had been friends since childhood, but as they both became top competitors in the sport, their friendship turned into a fierce rivalry. The two surfers were often matched up against each other in competitions, and their duels on the waves became legendary.

Overall, while the surfing community is generally pretty laid back and supportive of one another, there are definitely a few notable rivalries and controversies that have arisen over the years. Whether it's between groups of surfers or individual athletes, these controversies have helped to add a bit of drama and excitement to the sport.