Dear Readers: Today, SurferToday celebrates its 18th anniversary.
The age of majority is obviously a special moment. SurferToday can now vote, drive a car, and enjoy a drink responsibly in nearly all countries.
It's hard to imagine that something that started as a hobby has grown and become such an influential voice worldwide.
In the past 18 years, SurferToday has steadily built a platform of credibility, authority, reputation, trustworthiness, and positive, constructive influence, not only within the surf and skate world but also across mainstream media, the scientific community, academia, and the action sports industry.
We innovated the way we create content; the others followed.
We set trends; the others copied our editorial lines.
And as we aged, SurferToday turned experience into expertise.
Although it's sometimes frustrating to witness such a lack of authenticity and creativity from our dearest competitors, it's also satisfying to know we somehow pioneered modern digital publishing in the water sports industry.
Sorry for the potential lack of modesty in these particular arguments. But it's really true, and if you're interested or curious, we can privately show you the proof.
The Human Brain in the Era of Artificial Information
The road was bumpy and complex, mainly due to our non-Californian, European roots.
The surf industry is also unforgiving, predatory, and not quite like the messages they share on their dreamy advertising campaigns.
Eighteen years ago, most of the emails we sent got no replies. We were even barred from a surf contest's backstage area.
"We don't have your name here, sir," the security guy told us.
Things changed, though. SurferToday earned its place in the publishing industry.
In a time when the world is fascinated and inebriated with the artificialization of everything we do and create, there's still SurferToday, bringing you only the content that matters, reviewed and written - the best we can - by humans.
Sticking to Universal Values
For us, the oceans are not a political ground or battlefield for radical movements to implant their agendas. Nature doesn't choose sides.
That's why we must continue to support the protection of our water resources, wherever they need us, and make sure we, the citizens, will hold authorities and companies accountable for the damage done to our beaches.
It's unacceptable that, in the 21st century, we still have beaches in the so-called developed countries that must be closed one, two, three, four, five times during summer due to sewage spills and contaminated waters.
The environment has been a cherished topic at SurferToday since our first day online, precisely 18 years ago.
And there's a long road ahead. We're aware of that.
We at SurferToday (will) proudly make mistakes. And typos. But we count on your eyes and attention to correct them and make all articles and stories better.
Our motto has always been this one: "Our future is greater than our past" by Ben Okri. It's a hopeful message, yet it simultaneously acknowledges our imperfections.
Surfing and skateboarding are such intricate and culturally rich outdoor activities that their history, present, and innovative future deserve to be protected by all of us, the guardians of the sports we love the most.
A Passion for Learning
Our headlines may not be flashy, but our content matters.
It's been SurferToday's goal, from day one, to deliver stories and facts that will make us think or teach us something. Continuous learning is amazing, don't you think? And if it's entertaining too, that's even better.
We will stay true to these values until the end as the world's leading global, independent voice of surfing and skateboarding, taking relevant humanized content to millions of people around the world.
Happy birthday, SurferToday!
Thank you for your diverse views and opinions, dear contributing writers.
Thank you for staying with us, dear readers.
Cheers,
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com
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