It was always one of my dreams to be featured in a print copy of a surfing magazine while competing on the ASP World Tour (Association Of Surfing Professionals). Regrettably, numerous changes have befallen the surfing industry over the past fifteen years, not the least of which was the rise of social media, e-commerce, and the demise of print publications. Many companies have either had to adapt or close their doors. It was no small surprise when Surfer Magazine announced that they were discontinuing their print publications and essentially closing down full scale operations in 2017. One could certainly sense the end of an era and birth of another different, yet hopeful one.

After observing the challenges that professional surfers have had to encounter throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the utility behind advocating a medium in which an athlete can support themselves financially without the sole need of a sponsor. Many would find it quite baffling that our society has come to a point where a digital art piece can go for hundreds of thousands, if not millions of US dollars. However, this presents an opportunity that was not previously available. It’s yet to be seen whether the “NFT” movement will last and ultimately become part of mainstream commerce. For now, this avenue can assist those who may have been overlooked and help level the playing field, thus further supplying the World Surf League with skilled surfers from all walks of life.

Although skeptical of the NFT movement in the past, I now believe that our digital future has made it's potential a serious opportunity which could be extraordinarily beneficial to the surfing industry. Despite having several flaws that will eventually be resolved, NFT's are demonstrating an inherent value that may very well continue driving the technological evolution of art and sponsorship.

Yours Truly,

                "A Surfer”