Surfing, Skateboarding, Music, Photography, Travel, Culture and general antics of the youth on the run.

The Surfer/Hooper Index Craig Anderson is Steph Curry and other ridiculous comparisons to kick off the NBA playoffs

the surfer/hooper index

The NBA is probably the most commercialized athletic event in the world. This makes it the most unlike surfing (kinda). But at its core, basketball is like surfing. I’ve been around both types enough to see the personalities, egos, artistry, techniques and grandiosity of both sports. They are completely unrelated — maybe like distant second cousins.

Here is a guide for surfers and surf rats to identify with a player or team as the 2017 playoffs begin and Bells is playing  — not that anyone cares but fuck it I’m drunk on some Chardonnay I found. –Jeff Alper

Craig Anderson = Steph Curry

Craig Anderson was introduced to me as the Yoga Man. No clue if he does yoga and not sure about Steph either. However, I’m sure that both of these men are made of rubber bands and bananas because they are invincible and everyone likes them. Also, perhaps the best part is there is no ego with these two, just love for the art. They are likable beyond belief. And really, really good.

Noa Deane = Russell Westbrook

Noa Deane doesn’t give a fuck what you think and Russell Westbrook doesn’t give a fuck period. Both of these dues are badass. Russ is from Mars and doesn’t know how to do anything but dominate. Watching Noa surf gives you the same feeling — no choice but to be crazy and stomp. Also, watching Noa stick an air is the same as watching Russ posterize a human.

Dion Agius = John Wall

You ever watch someone do something and think, “I would never do that because if I did, I would hurt myself?” That’s what you get when watching these dudes. John Wall goes so fast that everytime he breaks someones ankle, the lord forgives them. Dion Agius cuts through the air so fast that every time he lands, Poseidon awakes. Both of these dudes seem so soulful that all of their powers are awoken by sunlight and motherly love and that is what relates them the most.

Dane Reynolds = LeBron James

I know this is a bit controversial because Dane is loved and LeBron is loathed, but I had to do it. LeBron is always the best, no matter what. It’s hard for me to say, but LeBron is the best there is today. He is constantly overlooked and undeniably great, the same way that Dane is. It’s so easy to just say, “Oh, Dane is the best surfer” because he is. Same goes for Bron Bron.

John John Florence = Kawhi Leonard

It’s hard to not like John John. He’s in so many posters and so many ads. He is described by non surfers as “whats his name… johnny john something?” He is stunning to watch as an athlete and as a person. You want to know what he is thinking! Kawhi is the single most insane athlete on the planet. They both come across as humble and are multi faceted. Kawhi is arguably as good at offense as he is defense, similar to John John in the air and in the barrel.

Creed McTaggart = Paul George

Creed is just cool, man. I’ve never met him (or anyone on this list) but I doubt that there’s anyone in the world that, when asked, would be like, “Nah, don’t want to surf with Creed.” The same goes for Paul George. He does everything well and he’s smooth as fuck. Also side note, Creed’s part in Cluster is set to NWA and I fucking love it and PG probably does too.

Dillon Perillo = Isaiah Thomas

My friend Jordy Corden said to me today, “Dillon Perillo rips. Malibu has never been the same since he showed up.” Pretty sure that’s how Boston feels since IT came in and decided to be one of the best scorers in the association at 5′ 9.”

Chippa Wilson = James Harden

Glaring difference: Chippa’s tattoos vs James’ lack thereof. Glaring similarity, Chippa knifing through the air doing one of his patented 360s vs James Harden bulldozing through the lane while his beard learns Portuguese.

Brendon Gibbens = Jimmy Butler

When I watch BG surf, I often find myself confused. Like, How is he doing that on this wave? He shouldn’t be able to do that. But he does. Jimmy does that too. Fadeaway 3’s with a hand in his face. Someone hangingon to him as he drops in a mid-range floater. Incredible.

Mitch Coleborn = Kyle Lowry

I was there when Mitch facetimed Cukr the other day and found his energy to be palpable and positive. Same feeling I get watching Lowry have fun as he just absolutely gets what he wants on the court. Both seem to posses style with out becoming obnoxious about it, letting their energy bring out their technique as opposed to basing it solely in aesthetic.

Kolohe Andino = DeMar DeRozan

Kolohe gets buckets. DeMar DeRozan gets buckets. Both when they want and how they want. Decidedly awesome and clearly both hard works on fundamentals. Love watching them both.

Yago Dora = Kyrie Irving

Young studs. These dudes just absolutely rip. Kyrie constantly seems like a video game character being possessed when he crosses someone over and Yago packs a whole lot into each wave he takes off on. Nothing is ever the same as the last with these two.

Anyways, the NBA playoffs start tomorrow. You can watch and relate a little bit more now hopefully.

what youth dear youth lost surfboards surf films

What’s Really Going Wrong… The not-so-forgotten films that shaped us

I woke up on a mattress, on a lawn. The house from the outside looks like something you’d have seen on the news. Trash thrown about, empty beer cans, mattress (and me) on the lawn, a girl looking for her purse in the garden. This is the …Lost house in San Clemente during the mid ’90s….

what youth bummer what youth recommends

What’s Bummer? The Internet is a cluttered mess, so we made the Bummer Tab

Ok, so out in Internet land, most websites that exist simply take what other people do, and they re-post it under the illusion that you think they made it. It’s the beauty and the curse of the Internet. At What Youth, we always said we wanted to create and we’d make only original stuff. Then…

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I fucking hate the word “content” Picking my Friday night fight

I think I’ve written many emails ranting about this. But today we go public. I hate that word. Content. That dumb buzz word. That stupid, lethargic, lazy, sellout of a word is about as hot to trot in the surf industry as e-commerce (another yawn). There are entire teams dedicated to branding your entertainment, turning…

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The What Youth Top 34 This is who’s coming on the very unprofessional What Youth World Tour 2016

So what’s the criteria? Well, it’s a perfectly inexact science that sees the surfers who represent themselves the most authentically through their surfing and living at the top. Their creativity rewarded. Their flaws embraced. Their zest and style counting exponentially. There are no numbers, it’s all feeling. Like music. Or poetry. Subjective. Like surfing should…

what youth dear youth ozzie wright

I just started saying yes to things Great advice from Ozzie Wright

“This year, I just started saying yes. Things I used to hide from or ignore I just started saying yes.” Ozzie Wright told us this as we drove by the Pass in Byron Bay, looking for the ever-elusive parking spot in the tiny lot. We’d surfed all morning, followed it with an afternoon paint and…

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John John won a very big contest today The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Invitational

About two weeks ago the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational event at Waimea Bay was called to go. Only problem: the swell didn’t show up. Such is nature. But just to be sure, thousands of people flocked from all over the world only to wake up to rather small surf and no Eddie. But today,…

Tokyo to Bangkok to Sydney to Goldy We’re on the run again

We pulled up the driveway at Chippa Wilson’s house today to 3 brand new boards, ready to rip. Not beat up clunkers from deep in his garage. These were quiver staples of his. 3 completes, right there waiting for us. After a travel itinerary that lasted over 29 hours and 3 countries and 5 cities,…

Kanoa Igarashi Translated Tokyo with the newly qualified 18-year-old who’s got all of Asia behind him

Kanoa Igarashi has been talking non stop. Interviews and signings and Quiksilver and us. Then there are the people stopping him on the streets. It’s pretty exhausting to be Kanoa the last few days in Japan. But he sure doesn’t show it. Smiling, engaging and chatting with everyone. Kanoa Igarashi is having his moment. And…

what youth dear youth travis ferre

Japanese Customs Surreal arrival in Japan

We’re here looking for Kanoa Igarashi. Which is funny because he usually lives in Huntington Beach. And our HQ is in neighboring Newport. But Kanoa’s parents are from Japan and he spent a good portion of his life in Japan, actually starred in a reality show about his surfing when he was 11. Needless to…

what youth dion agius panama

Dion Agius threw his phone at a wall And you should too (or maybe just hide it)

I wish more people would do this. We all say it. Threaten it. But Dion Agius just did it. Destroyed his phone, right into a wall —and he isn’t getting a new one. Now remember, as you see below, Dion can still be reached. He’ll probably be more engaged. More productive. Texts and info will come…

what youth travis ferre dane renolds surfing

When the Webcast Doesn’t Go Are we just using them to be lazy?

Yesterday I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little jazzed driving in for work knowing the Eddie was on. That meant no dead moments today. I’d always be able to flip on the webcast and idle there until something spectacular happened, which at Waimea was sure to be the case right? For some the day…

what youth travis ferre

A new Morning, Changing Weather So I guess I’m going to start doing this every day

Yep. Since I can’t quite spread my wings enough on social media and still relay all the rad shit we’re doing AND get my point across, I’m gonna do it here. Every day. Who knows where I’ll be or what I’ll be thinking or writing or doing, but I’m gonna say it and we’re gonna do…

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