‘Boy You Watch Out!’ : Calling the Cops Means Something Different in Other Corners of the World, Reveals Surfing Champ

8x US Open Longboarding Champion Joel Tudor has started a curious discussion in the surfing community. In a 2023 BJJ Fanatics podcast on 23rd January, the surfing champion made a startling statement about the difference in the culture and attitude towards surfing in various countries. 

Responding to the host Ryan ‘Gringo” Ford, Tudor gave his unique take on the topic. Talking about how in the early 90s there were no cameras and people could get away with things, Tudor explained how times have now changed.

Joel Tudor’s astonishing statements about the police in various countries 

In the podcast, the surfer implied that in most countries, one couldn’t take legal action for any wrongdoing while surfing.  “A lot of places the police are related to the dudes that are surfing”, Tudor admitted. Continuing, he warned, “In Brazil, boy you watch out!”. “You can’t go call cops there.”, he added.

Tudor explained how this attitude in Brazil was different as compared to Indonesia and South America. “You really need to be careful…and watch what you say and watch what you do”, the surfer stated.  

Tudor talked about the cultural differences in the way surfing was perceived in different countries. He advised, “Respect people when you show up, don’t just try and take over.” He continued, “Learn a bit about the culture, integrate yourself into it you know, become friends with people.”  With these statements, Tudor also gave his views on surfing’s popularity and its implications.  

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Joel Tudor’s strong perspective about the consequences of surfing’s huge acceptance 

The surfer

directed his attention to the massive crowds at beaches for surfing. “I have never seen these many people start at one time,”  Tudor remarked. The surfer was also critical of the negligent attitude of individuals that have recently taken up surfing. His opinion was that since there were so many people looking to surf, surfers needed to be attentive.

Further, Tudor pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic played an important role in encouraging surfing. The reason for this was that only the beach was open whereas everything else was shut.

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Since surfing is a global phenomenon, Tudor’s views raise an important discussion about how deeply cultural differences affect surfers. Tell us what you think in the comments.