Jacob “Zeke” Szekely put on his journalist hat at the Gold Coast Pro, asking the world’s best surfers hard-hitting questions like whether they prefer Sydney Sweeney or Megan Fox, or if they would rather surf firing Snapper Rocks with no one out or spend the day with Megan Fox.
According to Szekely, the WSL paid him to make content at the event, giving him all-access to the site and athletes. Apparently, they regretted their new hire as he deviated from the pre-approved questions, asking interviewees who the most promiscuous surfers are on tour. (Spoiler: Connor O’Leary said it’s Medina.)
“I don’t think the WSL is too stoked with how rated R some of the interviews were,” Szekely said.
The WSL put a lot of trust in the wave pool aerial master turned OnlyFans creator, but props to them for supporting small business owners in the surf industry.
When Szekely wasn’t going rogue, he did actually ask some insightful questions. Most interestingly, a series about whether a new maneuver counts if done in a wave pool, ending with insight from the 11-time world champ Kelly Slater.
“It counts but then you got to validate it in the ocean,” Slater responded. “If something hadn’t been done and you thought it up, or was the first one to figure out the rotation, the grab, whatever, then that’s a whole other level that you’ve unlocked. Anyone would be confused to think that wave pool surfing is not a part of surfing now. Every kid wants to go ride every wave pool.”
Slater went on to outline where he sees the future of wave pools going, saying that the next frontier is creating new types of waves.
“It’s going to take surfers who understand design to create the right waves to make new sections,” he said.
Szekely may have burned his bridge working at WSL events, but he might be onto something with his gonzo journo-style at surf events.
