World famous Los Angeles radio station KROQ decided earlier this week to no longer broadcast morning surf reports by Rick “Rockin’ Fig” Fignetti, opting instead to go with automated surf reports provided by Surfline.com’s free RSS feed. The decision by KROQ’s management ends an era in terrestrial radio that lasted for over 25 years, further exemplifying the terrible state of terrestrial radio and proving once more that incompetency continues to run rampant with the vast majority of radio management.
Fig has provided 30-second morning surf reports for KROQ for over 25 years. Fig got his start in radio when he provided surfing lessons to a KROQ DJ, who then asked Fig if he could provide morning surf reports on the station. Fig, who owns Rockin’ Fig Surf Shop in Huntington Beach and also has provided beach commentary for the U.S. Open of Surfing for nearly 20 years, would use a personal studio set-up at his surf shop to broadcast the morning surf reports.
“It’s a little sad not getting up in the morning to give the report to everyone,” said Fig. “But hey, it feels good to sleep in.”
The move was no doubt a cost-cutting measure that has drawn the ire of the surfing community. The decision even drew a complaint from Sean Collins, the controversial owner of Surfline.com who usually makes decisions and shares opinions that side with big business. “Bad policy move KROQ,” Collins wrote on OrangeCounty.com. “Losing Fig’s surf report on KROQ will cost lots of listeners in the morning that are on the drive and don’t have Internet access. The KROQ Surf Report with Rockin Fig has been a cornerstone for Southern California surfing for almost 30 years and a great asset for KROQ. I was stoked to hear he will still be working for you online, but it won’t’ be the same and a loss for KROQ and your listeners.”
125 comments left on OrangeCounty.com unanimously blasted KROQ’s decision to no longer air Fig’s live morning surf reports. If anyone wishes to share their unhappiness with KROQ’s decision to replace Fig’s surf reports with an automated system, contact KROQ’s management by calling 1-323-520-2376.
