Editor’s Note: Have a question for Dibi Fletcher? She’s definitely got answers. Or at least a perspective. Don’t hold back, shoot her a DM on Instagram and ask away. Here’s what she pulled out of the mailbag this week…
Hey Dibi… I’m in my late fifties, single and sober. Work full time and follow the 12 steps. I’m looking for a dog to take care of. I’ve been a good owner in the past and will be a good one now. I see pictures of your dogs, where did you get them? – Sober12Guy
I rescued mine from a breeder in Tuscon, they’re very high maintenance, eat like elephants and wouldn’t do great being alone all day. As you said you work full-time and go to meetings, I assume those responsibilities take up most of your day, add the chores and everything else it takes to run a life, and it doesn’t leave much time for a dog. You didn’t mention your living conditions or whether you have a yard. These are just some of the things you’ll need to consider before taking on the responsibility of owning and caring for a dog. Once you’ve thought it through and feel you can give the dog what it needs, there are plenty of local shelters with dogs that would love a forever home. You can see pictures of them online and I’m sure there are more than a few you could fall in love with.
Hey Dibi… How do I stay relevant as a surf coach when the kids I train care more about edits then heats? = SrfCoachXL
Not all kids are going to become fierce competitors and parents are doing their best to keep the kids motivated by enrolling them in various activities hoping that they’ll find a path that encourages them to excel and learn life skills along the way that will shape their future. Unfortunately, some of the activities the parents get the precious little darling involved in, the kids just couldn’t care less about. I’m sure the ones that gravitate towards competition will stick around as the others fade away and you’ll feel the knowledge you’ve mastered to help build the character of competitive surfers will be rewarded in the long run, so stay the course and be patient, relevance is created or enhanced by time.
Related: Hey Dibi: Is Surfing a Path to Sobriety?
Hey Dibi…What will it take for the surf community to help stop the 22 billion gallons of sewage that flows into the Pacific in San Diego County from the Tijuana River annually? – OceanofShit
I don’t speak for the “surf community” at large, but I realize the immense implication of the tragedy even though no one can predict the long-term toxic effects created by the disaster of the 2020, SB507 Bill, that decommissioned pumps and lift stations and allowed sewage to flow into the United States via the Tijuana River Valley. Also adding to the crisis was Mexico’s Viaduct Toll Road Project pipe break in August of 2022 flooding the Pacific in Imperial Beach with billions of gallons of sewage annually. With the total cost of the 2028 Summer Olympics estimated at approximately $6.9 billion. Maybe it’s time to rethink California’s priorities.
Hey Dibi… I have a problem with my in-laws being friends with people who I consider my friends and doing projects with them that I found out about after the fact. Is that weird? – SonInLaw4Now
I don’t know, has it changed your relationship with your in-laws? Is the job they’re doing with one of your friends something you feel you could have done better, and they overlooked you? Is the reason you feel threatened more about your feelings about the relationship you have with your friend than anything to do with your in-laws? My Dad had business relationships with so many of my friends, he was tough, and sometimes brutal in negotiations, and I knew I’d have to see my friends socially, but it was something my dad and I had in common and would talk about everything from Gotcha to Stussy. I’m so grateful we had the shared relationships it made for great conversations. So maybe think of this as an avenue you can build on for a better future!
Related: Hey Dibi: Should Ebikes Be Banned At Trestles?
Hey Dibi…. I read somewhere recently that all the brands I grew up with are now owned by one large “American brand management company headquartered in New York”. Do you think that changes the chance for up-and-coming surfers to get sponsored? – SurfStokedGrom
Yes, when the companies were privately owned and creating their brands, they were dependent on domestic sales and word of mouth to get the hype going. They were very localized and involved in promotions to build momentum that would take them into the youth market by sponsoring young athletes who were featured in the print magazines of the day. They had great team managers who would spot talent in other areas that they would sponsor for minimal financial renumeration to boost sales in their territory. What initially started on the coast became global with team riders in surf, skate and snow and overheads that were skyrocketing. It was great while the party lasted, but soon the debt was untenable, and they became ripe for takeover. The industry has changed over the years with technology like everything else, now brands expect you to have a large social media presence and advertise them with x-amount of post per month. I’m sure there are sponsorship programs available for product, but the money is much tighter than it was even a few years ago and it’s a completely different responsibility for the rider working for a huge corporation than riding for a few older surfers who went into business so they could keep surfing.
Hey Dibi… My teenager is spending more time editing clips than actually surfing. Do I step in or is what he said “Mom this how I get sponsored” correct? – NewToSurf
Surfing in local competitions helps get young surfers recognized and lets them begin to develop the skills it will take to keep them in the mix. Working on clips for social media is now a large part of building their profile. It’s a mixed blessing of sorts as it lets them tell their own story, and future sponsors can more easily determine if they’ll be a good fit. There are pros and cons that I hear about from many of the more seasoned professionals who grew up in a time when they were sent on trips with photographers hired by magazines who would have their writers do the copy. For some the switch to becoming their own marketing machine has been difficult, for others I think they’ve taken full advantage of the opportunity and have built huge successful platforms that allowed them to become their own sponsors. So, your son’s “this is how I get sponsored” statement is a bit simplistic, but pretty right on.