Surfing is not mainstream.
Despite the movers and shakers of the industry’s desire for mass consumption – like football, basketball, or tennis – and despite major leaps in that direction – like the inclusion in the Olympics – surfing is still a fringe sport, in terms of fandom.
Hence why surf-related factoids appropriately made their way onto television’s favorite trivia gameshow last night, Jeopardy!
Photo: ‘Jeopardy!’
Kelly Slater reposted a clip containing the image above to his Instagram Stories, which featured him as an answer to the following prompt:
“Born at the beach – Cocoa Beach, Florida – he became both the youngest and the oldest surfing world champion.”
The question came in the Double Jeopardy! round of Wednesday, November 29th, 2023’s episode and a segment called “Making Waves.”
Other questions, according to J! Archive, included:
“This actor played Johnny Utah, an FBI agent undercover as a surfer dude in 1991’s Point Break.”
Answer: Who is Keanu Reeves.
“Also a 1963 hit by The Surfaris, this is one surfing move I can easily do myself.”
Answer: What is a Wipe Out.
“When you’re inside a wave’s hollow but still riding, you’re said to be in this colorful waiting area.”
Answer: What is The Green Room.
“The name of this sport combines snowboarding with something you just learn to go with.”
Answer: What is Flowboarding.
That last one is a bit random, as the FlowRider, an artificial wave technology pioneered by Tom Lochtefeld, founder of Wave Loch, is a bit out of style and pretty much only seen on Royal Caribbean mega-cruiseship commercials. But whatever.
The Slater question was the biggest prize, though arguably the easiest, coming in at $2000.
Goes to show how fringe surfing still is, despite strides like the Olympics. The sport’s most recognizable face – it’s Michael Jordan – is a top question on Jeopardy!
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