Olympic surfer’s board sparks outrage in South Korea as athlete is forced to cover up ‘offensive’ design ahead of final
AN Aussie Olympian has been forced to change his surfboard design after sparking outrage among South Korean teams and fans for the “offensive” print.
Surfer Jack Robinson received complaints about the controversial board ahead of his semi final performance.
The Aussie had a red rising sun design on his board to honour surfing legend Andy Irons who’s sudden death shocked fans in 2010.
Three-time World Champion Andy Irons would wear Billabong shorts with the rising red sun print on, which Robinson was attempting to represent through his board design.
But the rising red sun is considered offensive to South Koreans, reminding people of Japan‘s military occupation during World War II.
Speaking to Reuters, South Korean surfing team manager Song Min said: “I saw his [Robinson’s] post, thinking that board can’t be used because Olympics is a pure sports event.
“Eventually the South Korean Olympic team visited Australian counterpart not to see that board during the Games.”
Song understood that Robinson wanted to honour the death of his friend, but pointed out why it could be considered offensive.
He said: “But I do not want to tell people that even if this design is chosen out of personal views, it can be embarrassing.
“This isn’t about South Korea protesting but this is what invoked some people’s scars, so it should be banned for use despite freedom of expression.”
Aussie Robinson has not yet spoken out on the demand but has since covered his board design up.
It comes after Jack Robinson nearly drowned and has to be dramatically rescued during his Olympics heat.
Things nearly ended in disaster as a storm hit the venue 9,800 miles from the Eiffel Tower on 29 July.
The treacherous conditions led to Robinson being thrown off his board as he tried to ride a huge wave.
His opponent John John Florence was also dumped into the South Pacific Ocean at the same time.
Robinson, 26, disappeared into the wash and worried officials rushed to him on jetskis to pull him out the sea.
He was helped on board and thankfully the Aussie star was OK.
But Robinson admitted after recovering to win his heat against Florence that he could have drowned.
He said: “Where I was on the inside between where the two waves collide on the right of the channel, and left of the way we’re surfing, that is the most dangerous place in the whole world.
“It’s another level when you are in there – but you try talking with God and just be safe.
“I didn’t get much air. There wasn’t much time.
“I got reminded of so many guys who have had so many bad wipe-outs here.
“I have had some pretty bad wipe-outs but in a contest it’s different. You have way more adrenaline and there is way more on the line.
“Going back out was a test of physicality and spirit.
“We are in an ocean. It is the biggest, most powerful source of life we have on this planet.
“The waves are so powerful. It doesn’t relate to any other sport.
“Maybe an avalanche coming down on your head on a mountain. Maybe it’s similar to that. It’s so dangerous and so crazy.”
Surfers usually deal with waves two or three metres high – yet they can be as high as seven metres.
How is Olympic surfing scored and why is it in Tahiti?
How is it scored?
A panel of five judges scores rides out of 10 points and a surfer’s best two waves are combined to give a total out of 20.
Points can be deducted if they get an interference – such as getting in the way of another surfer who has priority.
There are no particular points for a given manoeuvre, but taking on the biggest, most intense waves and riding inside the barrel – where the wave breaks – for the longest time will score favourably.
Why is it in Tahiti?
While nearly every other sport is being competed over in Paris, the European climate and glaring lack of a beach means this event has been outsourced to a warmer part of the world.
France’s surfing beaches are usually flat in the summer, while Tahiti, located in French Polynesia, has huge swells out of the south Pacific throughout the southern hemisphere winter which then hits the reefs at Teahupo’o, creating stunning waves perfect for the Olympics.