The once-pristine surf paradise of Indonesia is under siege, and it’s not from rising tides or corporate resorts. Instead, it’s the influx of adult learners—often dubbed ‘vulnerable’ in their quest to conquer waves—that has sparked a heated debate. But here’s where it gets controversial: Are these newcomers ruining the surf mecca, or is this just the natural evolution of a sport gaining global popularity? Let’s dive in.
A few nights ago, a trailer for a new surf edit popped up on my social media feed, featuring none other than Channel Islands’ Britt Merrick. In it, he boldly labels Matt Biolos a ‘dick.’ And this is the part most people miss: It’s not just Britt’s opinion—he claims ‘everyone’ agrees. Now, I don’t know either of them personally, but something about Britt’s straightforward demeanor made me instinctively side with him. Maybe it’s because my first encounter with him was through a sermon video years ago, back when he was a pastor. His words were raw, spiritual, and deeply moving—a stark contrast to the surf world’s typical laid-back vibe. It left an impression.
Fast forward to today, and Britt’s back in the shaping bay, but his sharp observations and dry humor still resonate. So, when he dropped the ‘d-bomb’ on Biolos, I initially nodded along. ‘If Britt said it, it must be true,’ I thought. But here’s the kicker: My inner devil’s advocate wasn’t having it. ‘Biolos can’t be all bad,’ it argued. ‘Yago and Carissa ride his boards, for goodness’ sake!’ This internal debate raged on, with my instincts and logic trading blows like a prime-time boxing match.
As I weighed the sparse facts I knew about Biolos—his occasional controversial remarks, his penchant for stirring the pot, his ties to San Clemente—I realized how easily we form opinions based on snippets of social media drama. In the end, I sided with Britt, but something still felt off. And this is where it gets personal: As I scrolled through comments on BeachGrit, I noticed a disturbing trend. ‘You’re a dick’ had become the go-to insult, with ‘No, you are, and everyone knows it’ as the inevitable response. It hit me: maybe the problem isn’t just Biolos or Britt—maybe it’s us.
What if we’re all a little too quick to judge, too eager to label someone a ‘dick’ because they disagree with us? What if the real issue is our inability to see beyond our own perspectives—whether it’s our surf skills, political beliefs, or cultural biases? Here’s the controversial take: Maybe the surf world’s toxicity isn’t about who’s right or wrong, but about our collective refusal to extend grace, to turn the other cheek, or to admit our own flaws. After all, every solution starts with self-reflection.
For hours, I pondered this. Could love and hope—the very themes that drew me to Britt’s sermon years ago—be the antidote to our current chaos? Or is that just naive? As I sat there, I felt a strange sensation—my testosterone levels seemingly plummeting at the thought of embracing peace. ‘Real men don’t back down,’ I reminded myself, reaching for my emergency tin of venison jerky. Hope and love? Maybe they’re for the bicycle clubbers, not for those of us battling it out in the lineup.
But as I chewed on the jerky, floss at the ready for the inevitable cleanup, I couldn’t shake the question: What if the real dick is the one we see in the mirror? And what if, just maybe, the surf world—and the world at large—needs less judgment and more humility? What do you think? Am I onto something, or am I just another ‘dick’ with a keyboard? Let’s discuss in the comments.
