‘Schadenfreude’ has always been a part of surfing psychology. That’s the fancy German word for the pleasure someone gets from watching somebody else screw up.
We’ve all cackled as some beginner got pitched over the falls and snapped a fresh board, or a friend stumbled while trying to execute a rock jump and ripped the ass-cheek out of a wettie. We didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but we weren’t beyond having a snigger at someone else’s expense. Meanwhile, early, surf-movie-makers fed the appetite for schadenfreude with their wipe-out sections. Cringe or laugh we always watched the horror-show antics.
Kook of the Day’s Instagram handle takes the ‘Schadenfreude’ theme to new levels. As one scrolls through the earnest posts and sponsor-tick product placement from ambitious pro surfers, it’s arguable that KOD provides some much-needed comic relief.
However, there’s no doubt it also breeds a certain kind of ‘big brother is watching’ kind of fear. The other day I tumbled whilst attempting to jump from a sketchy ledge. My lame efforts were in full view of a surf-checking peanut gallery. I was certain someone was filming and I’d end up on KOD. I didn’t, but the fear was real. Later I resigned myself to the fact that it wouldn’t have been so bad. The truth is we all do something a little kooky sometimes.
