With nearly 1,000 world-class contributors submitting interesting news, articles, and opinions to The Inertia on a daily basis, 2013 had its fair share of interesting articles. Topics ranged from Brazilian surfers to giant swells to…butts. At the end of the day, the 15 articles below drew the most traffic and attention. Yep, it was a weird year. Without further ado, here they are, in order.
For reference, check out the most popular stories of 2012, 2011, and 2010. The more things change…
Top Stories
1. Riots, Shock and Class at Huntington Beach’s 2013 US Open of Surfing by Zach Weisberg
I’d like to focus on surfing at the US Open of Surfing, but I cannot. I don’t think anyone can. It’s impossible. I mean, what’s more memorable? Kolohe’s heat, the fights and riots, or that Facebook picture? Warning: Explicit Imagery
2. To Know What Living Is: Life, Death, and Sharks in West Australia by Evan Morgan
A man died yesterday at Lefty’s–our special surf spot. A family has lost a surfer that they love to the deepest, darkest, most morbid of nightmares that surfers face. He fell prey to the most primordial of beasts. I do not feel sorry for the man, however.
3. Ass and the Roxy Pro Biarritz by Tetsuhiko Endo
Alana Blanchard’s Instagram, assholes, and product placement: this is modern women’s surfing. In a move that puts every one of those North Shore movies to shame (You know: “Here’s guys getting barreled and here’s women’s asses!”) the promotional video for the Roxy Pro Biarritz fits twelve butt shots into 1 minute and 46 seconds. This is the 800-meter dash of butt shots.
4.Riots and the Crowd Effect at the Huntington Beach US Open of Surfing: by Kelly Slater
When you have underage girls in bikinis walking around with unacceptable things written all over their bodies and throw alcohol in the mix after a long week, weird things, inappropriate things, happen.
5. 10 Reasons Surfing Improves Humanity by Zach Weisberg
I’ve met enough surfers who are absolute jerks to know that surfing alone cannot save humanity. However, elements of surfing have the potential to ground human beings in a uniquely meaningful way. Here are ten.
6. Laird on CNN: Maya Gabeira Doesn’t Have Enough Skill, Carlos Burle Didn’t Set World Record by Alexander Haro
In an interview with CNN about the recent mega-swell at Nazare that almost took Maya Gabeira’s life and potentially set a new world record for biggest wave ever surfed, Laird Hamilton said a few things that are bound to stir the surf world’s pot.
7. A Deleted Article and the Harmful Misrepresentation of Brazilian Surfers by Tetsuhiko Endo
Every time a Brazilian is criticized for some arbitrary breach of rules of conduct, I hear a single phrase: “You are playing our sport, and you will play it by our rules.” That has to change.
8. Garrett McNamara and the 100-Foot Wave: Claim It! by Zach Weisberg
It’s as if surf media views Garrett McNamara as a deceitful ne’er–do–well, instead of one of the most fearless motherf*ckers on this planet.
9. Why Surfing Is So Ridiculously Addictive by Jenna Goldberg
It’s no secret that surfing is fun, it can make us feel young and wild and free, but that isn’t why surfing is addictive.
10. America’s 10 Best Surfing Universities by Reid Levin
There is one vital factor to consider when applying to spend the rest of your teens with thousands of strangers somewhere (possibly) far, far away from home: how’s the surf?
11. Anastasia Ashley (and her Butt): Marketing Genius(es)! by Alexander Haro
Here’s the truth: butts make people watch, especially when they’re wiggling all over the place with a bikini jammed up there like a string on a pot roast.
12. Surfing’s “Rampant Drug Use” and Accountability by Tetsuhiko Endo
When Kelly Slater was quoted in an Australian newspaper yesterday saying that professional surfing has a recreational drug problem, you could almost hear the industry collectively catch its breath. But surfing does not have a drug problem; it has an accountability problem.
13. American Wave Machines Set to Build Largest Wave Pool in History by Ali Shrode
American Wave Machines owner Bruce McFarland reported that AMW has been contracted to build the largest wave/swell generating pool in history, with waves up to seven-and-a-half feet.
14. 18-Foot Serpent-esque Creature Found Off California Coast by Reid Levin
Like spotting a unicorn-of-the-sea, a snorkeling instructor found an 18-foot shimmering oarfish in the shallows off Santa Catalina Island, California.
15. The World’s 10 Deadliest Shark Attack Beaches by Juliann Johnson
Statistically speaking, your chances of being attacked by a shark are pretty slim. In a given year, you’re looking at about a one in 11.5 million chance, and the chances of dying in a car accident are about one in 6,700. While it seems like you may be better off swimming to work, if you live near these beaches, I’d recommend the bus.
