Delving a little deeper into our collective up-down-sideways relationship with surf contests. Here, collected, are some of the finest, most piquant anti-contest quotes from the past 80-something years. But keep in mind: not only was every person here a competitor, most of them went on to compete AFTER denouncing competition. Never trust a surfer.

"On one occasion, about 1918, a riding contest was held, the winner being judged on form, etc. Everybody disagreed and that led them to believe surf-riding contests were impracticable."


"I've never considered surfing a particularly competitive sport. I've never won a contest. They've never held much interest for me because I didn't see what the point was."


"The Makaha contest is symbolic and partly responsible for the mass fad that surfing has become. Surfing and surfers are being exploited for commercial gain by people who have no interest in the sport and who are not surfers."


"Until California shapes up and gets rid of these honorary-type judges who've been washed up for years, [and] sets up a progressive judging system, and until they at least chart a ground swell beforehand so we have a few waves—until then, count me out."


"Contests used to be alright, but then they got too commercial and generally uptight, so I split. My bag now is just to ride waves and build boards, and I'm much happier."


"The products [of surf contests] are clowns surfing for popular opinion. No more to be said."


"Surfing should not fit into contests, and contests should not fit into surfing."


"Contest organizers believe that surfing should be like a bullfight. Six guys fighting it out to be the winner. But that just isn't valid to my way of thinking. I don't believe there is room for competition in surfing anymore."


"It could be anybody's guess as to who will be 'on top' this winter. But then are contests an indication of anything? Go surfing."


"It doesn't mean anything if you think about it enough. All the [world] title signifies is who's best at getting four waves to the beach."


"I hate watching contests. Who has the time? Why should I give a shit about who is better on a given day? An hour later another guy could win. I could be doing something like surfing myself."


"Every sport I was ever involved in the practice sucked and the organized game was fun. In surfing the practice is awesome and the organized 'game' sucks. Free surfing rules."


GREAT SURFERS AGAINST SURF CONTESTS: A GARDEN OF CONTRADICTION

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