Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: SD1 on October 17, 2012, 08:02:45 PM
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Hello everyone! First real post. Longtime surfer and started the fabulous sport of sup 5 years ago due to a medical issue. I surf Point Loma down here in San Diego and have been a very regular presence at many of the highly localized spots and know many people out on a given day.
So today I was out at our longboard spot which was about head high.. Yesterday I was out at the same spot, had a girl drop in on me, almost take me out, and left it at that.Never had seen this girl in my previous 25 years surfing down here Girl was WOOC...way out of control! So today I am hanging behind the the pack and this meathead guy on a longboard paddles for a wave but decides to try to take me out instead paddling over over the latter half of my board. We have words and he says I am not responsible and suck so I should not be out here. Trying not too sound cocky I do not suck! I have received compliments on my sufring and etiquette even from the heaviest locals..Now this WOCC girl who is friends with the meathead starts screaming at me saying, I hit her with my paddle yesterday, that I am a newbie, that I am burning everybody and have hit her several times with my board. Crazy absurd blabbing! She then proceeds to say she is going to take my paddle and shove it up my a##, saying I need to leave and the regular bs. Mind you this girl could not surf.
She continues with the barrage. I try to bite my tongue. People I have much patience... I teach second grade! Finally, I said look you caused the ruckus, I have been out here many years, take my turn and am not going anywhere.She keeps it up! Tells me she is going to kick me out of the water. I tell her to relax and that maybe she needs to get lucky! Then crazy meathead starts again. So I get a little fired tell them to relax and chill, worry bout yourself, etc.
Ten minutes later I paddle up to both crazies, offer a undeserved apology, say there does not need to be anger...if there was any miscommunication so I apologize. Basically biting the bullet even though I did not have to. Both of them refuse. What! These 2 should not be even paddling in a lake! I take a wave in , girl burns me again, falls, and almost hits me again. We both proceed to paddle in. She is climbing up the cliff and I hand her her leash which was dragging. I again say let bygones be byognes, and again apolagize for an unecessary words. She ignores me. It continues up on the cliff. I explain my story to many of the other locals who are confused about the situation because they could not believe I was involved. I have to admit this girl could be cute if she stopped talking so she tells her story to everyone bout it. I actually apologize again!!! She starts again and I left...
So in a long winded way, SL I am right there with ya because I remember your similar post from a few months ago.The point is the only time I have been really threatened in the water was by a girl because I was on a SUP! So over the haters, the collective attitude of people in the lineup,and hate.
Thanks for reading...
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A little advice that you didn't request.
If you consider that your apology was undeserved, then it's disingenuous to make it. People have good bullshit detectors--even wackos do. Apologies infer the fault is yours, and so you were conceding that in a manipulative way. Better to just ignore them both than to proffer an apology you don't really think you need to make. Fuel for the fire.
It also makes you seem weak, and bullies love weak.
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Good way to ruin a session. I have apologized a few times when I wasn't in the wrong in the past. I still do it once in a while to keep the peace. The key to any situation like that IMHO is not to emotionally personalize it... No F You's or get F'd. As u recall, I try to state something objectively... Then watch the other person over react. "Perhaps your skill set isn't quite there for this break today."
Not much that you could have said. I guess I hope that i would have said, "If you threaten me again, you'd better be able to back it the F up... Out here, you are just a surfer... And you had better mean what the F you say."
Or, "look, I know that you are in over your head today. Everyone can see that... If it makes you feel better to take it out on me, that is your prerogative... But it doesn't change the fact that you are a few levels beyond your comfort zone. And I just decided that I am going to bring truth to your lies... And burn you on every wave you paddle for... Maybe it's time for you to go home."
Good luck!
NEVER let it ruin ur session. If u do, thy win.
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Thanks fellas...Great advice and input. Guess I tried to apologize just to keep peace as a way to spread aloha but point is very well taken. I usually don't apologize if I am not in the wrong. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom.
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Sounds like the "blank stare" would work best in that situation. You stare, they yell, look foolish after a few minutes and eventually stop.
The other situation, which I've been in:
Angry dude (who was giving me sh*t just for being in the water):
"Hey man, you came right at me with your board."
Me:
"That's right, and I'm going to again on the next wave"
Angry dude:
"Uhh..."
That resolved the situation immediately.
Seems a good spraying was all that was needed to show I know what I'm doing.
But, stories like yours can be up for interpretation. I'd probably shout out to my friends, by name, at the lineup. Then say, "I know all these surfers, but not you."
I also assume you're not about to stop paddling at the spot you go to, so ignorance is probably the road to take.
:)
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Too many beginners get into surfing because they watched 'Point Break' :D
The newbies just emulate what they see in the movies!
I used to surf a kayak in my younger days, so you can imagine the hassle I would get from time to time..
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These 2 should not be even paddling in a lake!
hey easy now!!! ;D :D
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25 yrs surfing, you have put your time in. I agree with others, don't apologize if you're not in the wrong. Most agro idiots are pretty easy to out think, you being educated will have no trouble out witting these two.
I also discovered growing facial hair and talking to your self in a loud manner coupled with crossed eyed blank stairs in the lineup will result in others moving away from you. Lots of conversation with your friends will also shut them up. If you really want to freak them out, every time a set comes in give them the first wave with a smile, most agro idiots don't know how to handle a nice jester, usually the 3rd to 5th wave in a set is bigger and better anyway . A friend of mine came up with a great idea for situations like this. Get two others sup's and paddle over and all 3 sit in close proximity to said subjects, collectively strike up a conversation with said subjects regarding, their boards, the amount of nice waves they are getting. Ask them if they are sponsored, if not they should be because they are just ripping out here, what do they do to stay in such great shape, on and on. Sarcasm with a smile ! All this with smiles on your faces, it won't be long before they paddle away shaking their pathetic heads. Lastly, if they are novices, tell one of your other sup pals, I think I saw a biggg shadow swim under us, didn't see a fin but I know I saw something, keep and eye out ! That will freak them out and loose concentration on watching the horizon for sets !
Keep chargin !
4 sups is even better !
I used surf the cliffs when I was in the US Navy back in the 70's, fun place. As I remember it was somewhat busy at certain spots then. I always thought it to be a great longboard area, lots of spots on head to overhead days. Seems like it would be great for standups. I heard there are lots sup's them there.
Let me guess, she's knew to spot and her and the meathead consider themselves locals. Go figure. Wonder where the aloha spirit is I keep hearing about is ?
Keep chargin, don't let them steel your zeal !
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I went out at a break I had never SUSed before
It was out of state... used to be a fun longboard break... decided to give it a go on SUP.
It was crowded... but it is definitely not an "A"team break...
I walk through the group of local bunched at the top of the access... no vibe at all.
After my first wave... a nice lefthander.. I hear some woman yell loudly at me:
"HEY... Paddleboard!"
I look over at her...
"Yeah... you... on the paddle board!"
"Yes?"
"You got control of that thing?"
With a wry smile..."Yes... I got control of this... thing"
"Good!... I was going to take that wave with you... but I didn't want to get hit!"
Apparently "party wave" theory is alive and well at that spot.... (see picture) ;D
I proceeded on and had a great session... met lots of regulars up at the "Pit"
It really was a fun day... but she made it priceless!
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sorry about the double picture... my post was interrupted by a "new post" warning and it looked like it deleted the picture... live and learn!
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A friend told me of an incident when he and another paddler were paddling around a heavy localized wave on their way to another spot. The surfers in the lineup started the catcalls, one of the paddlers answered back 'hey, shutup or I'll stop right here and take all the waves I want'. That was the end of it.
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I also discovered growing facial hair and talking to your self in a loud manner coupled with crossed eyed blank stairs in the lineup will result in others moving away from you. ....
Try ending every session by yelling "Oh Sh*t, I got to go feed my hostage" then paddle in frantically.
I have trouble with the growing hair on the face thing
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I also discovered growing facial hair and talking to your self in a loud manner coupled with crossed eyed blank stairs in the lineup will result in others moving away from you. ....
Try ending every session by yelling "Oh Sh*t, I got to go feed my hostage" then paddle in frantically.
I have trouble with the growing hair on the face thing
Celeste-have you tried Androgel!? ;)
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I have apologized many time when not needed, playing basketball, being married, surfing... life sometimes needs diffusion.
I often surf with my brother, who is a cop. With me at 6-1, 250 and him at 6-1, 260 and both of us having enough physical imperfections to get us cast as Serbian mass murderers in the next Bond film, we usually are given a little latitude, perhaps for sheer volume alone. He's really a nice guy though. I've heard him say things like "Listen, I'm sorry, I hope you'll accept this apology and we can put this behind us. I'd hate to have to apologize to the coroner for making a bloody mess all over this street during his shift." Somehow when he says stuff like that, there is something in me that believes he'd do it without a moments hesitation. He has what can only be described as a temper hair trigger.
Mind you, we've never been in an altercation, either due to good verbal judo, or a marked advantage in the number of molecules involved.
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I also discovered growing facial hair and talking to your self in a loud manner coupled with crossed eyed blank stairs in the lineup will result in others moving away from you. ....
Try ending every session by yelling "Oh Sh*t, I got to go feed my hostage" then paddle in frantically.
I have trouble with the growing hair on the face thing
Celeste-have you tried Androgel!? ;)
to likely to loose the hair on my head that way, and no way can I pull the sexy bald woman thing off, just to hard to hide the point
EDIT: Oh, and to remain on topic, what would have come out of my mouth would likely been something like "So you had a double shot of stupid with your morning crack, did you?" After 22 years with alcoholic partners, and letting it be my fault just to keep the peace, there is no more of that left in me.
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I know it's a "thing" with me, and undoubtedly why I responded in the first place. I hate apologies that I know are insincere. To me that's just manipulation coupled with the assumption that I'm not clever enough to understand that. Makes me angrier--and I assume it makes other people angry too.
I've had people say "how come you never say you're sorry" and my real answer is "because I rarely am". I also hear "Why are you such a hardass, I apologized" and the real answer is "because you and I both know you don't mean it".
I'm more than willing to admit a mistake, completely open to the notion that I am totally wrong, misinformed, lazy, incompetent, etc. etc.. But I don't consider that something to apologize for, or something people need to apologize to me for. I tell my employees the surest way to get fired is to do so little they never make mistakes. the second surest way is keep making the same ones. If I run over your cat I'll be sorry, if I drop in you might hear "sorry about that" as I pull out, but apologize just to keep the peace? Nah.
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I agree with Bill don't apologize for something you didn't do. It sounds like you were always there with aloha and good surf spirit, Be true to yourself. like everyone says don't let them ruin your day. My theory is this I paddle out hang out chat a little, then go outside and wait for a set. I let the firs 1-3 go through every body is either in side or just paddling back out. I then TRY to catch a good wave, sometimes if my game is o I get a fabulous wave and everyone sees it then they know. no words just action. I can alos generllay tell who is gonna be a problem by the way they paddle out and the etiquette they display. The fool who cuts in front of me will likely cut me off or drop in. The guy who hoots I will point out set waves to him. Sometimes I'll point out waves to some grouch and that helps.
If I fall or miss well Chalk it up to my 1 year of sus experience. ( i used to do the same on my long board ( 48 years surfing). Then They know not to take off in font of me too. But hey you pay your money you take your chances.
Funny though how it always seems to be the non locals.. may be they are nervous like a scared dog? as for you you sound cool so keep up the good vibe and enjoy yourself.
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If you want to make nice with angry locals, bring a hibachi and fishing gear and offer up some grilled tacos from freshly caught fish. ;D
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All this apology stuff makes me think of years ago when my daughter was in grade school and they were being taught how to express their displeasure. The teachers were telling them, "When someone does something you don't like, dont' use "you" sentences, use "I" sentences. Tell them how what they're doing makes you feel. So, for example, when someone calls you a name, don't call them names back. Say, "When you call me a mean name, I feel sad".
So then it went like this:
Teacher: "OK, now pretend I'm someone on the playground and I call you a name. What do you say to me?"
Student: "Stop calling me names, you moron".
Teacher: "No, Jason. Remember, use your "I" sentence. Tell them how the name calling makes you feel. OK, now pretend I'm another student who just called you a name. What do you say?"
Student: "When you call me names I feel that you are a moron".
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All this apology stuff makes me think of years ago when my daughter was in grade school and they were being taught how to express their displeasure. The teachers were telling them, "When someone does something you don't like, dont' use "you" sentences, use "I" sentences. Tell them how what they're doing makes you feel. So, for example, when someone calls you a name, don't call them names back. Say, "When you call me a mean name, I feel sad".
So then it went like this:
Teacher: "OK, now pretend I'm someone on the playground and I call you a name. What do you say to me?"
Student: "Stop calling me names, you moron".
Teacher: "No, Jason. Remember, use your "I" sentence. Tell them how the name calling makes you feel. OK, now pretend I'm another student who just called you a name. What do you say?"
Student: "When you call me names I feel that you are a moron".
LOL, yep, it is all pop psychology and completely ineffective it one is a good manipulator. One of my ex's who was well versed in psychology would respond to "I" statements with "No you don't". Totally renders "I" statements useless. Accusing someone of projection takes all blame off you.
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I went to school at PLNU and surfed the cliffs right out front of young Hall. (My dorm was right on the ocean ;D). I always thought the vibe was pretty mellow there. I never had issues being a surfing newb my fist year with virtually no instruction. Although this was 6 years before anyone even heard of stand up.
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Offshore this morning, head to overhead+, getting cleaner. SUP'ing all to myself on a reef break and out paddles this chick. Never saw her before. So I say good morning. She smiles, but doesn't really say much. I catch 7 waves, she none. I start to worry 'Is this is the Strand Leper chick?'
I eventually say "High I am Beasho what's your name?" She says "I am Kate." I explain that there is usually only one woman who surfs at this spot, so clearly she must be new or from afar. She explains she is from San Francisco . . . surfs Ocean Beach . . . delightful conversation . . .
She says "Wow you have the right gear today, its kind of lumpy . . " I think to myself: "That's what the proners always say, and they're right I always do have the right gear!" 20 minutes later she heads in and I, again totally solo, proceed to catch 33 waves. Pinch myself, 2012?
Moral: I tend to employ the high profile friendly guy routine, oh and surf at lesser occupied spots, and the mojo can be good.
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I went to school at PLNU and surfed the cliffs right out front of young Hall. (My dorm was right on the ocean ;D). I always thought the vibe was pretty mellow there. I never had issues being a surfing newb my fist year with virtually no instruction. Although this was 6 years before anyone even heard of stand up.
Nice OCkbar-thats where my son is hoping to transfer in February-fun spots all along that area.
Im pretty chill and accomodating up to a point-i dont apologize unless i did something wrong-i try to make peace if i can and just generally feel out the vibe on the paddle out-if youre too much of a kiss ass you get steamrolled.
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No one is stopping anyone from getting a SUP. I got tired of the flat spells and wanted to maintain (improve) my physical well being. Then I realized my wave count skyrocketed, and it wasn't from taking other surfer's waves. I can just get into most every wave easier and earlier.
Just yesterday, within ten minutes I had caught no less than eight super fun beachbreak waves. While most people to the south were struggling catching anything with the swamped high-tide.
Hate is a choice.
I chose to do something.
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What most prone surfers see anytime they see a SUP....btw this is a clip from the recent Positively Kai. Cracked me up.
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I've been threatened with death by stabbing and beating in parking lot. In both instances, the other party instigated the situation by either shooting a board at me or intentionally dropping on a wave I got.
Longboarders and shorties finally have a cause to unite them.
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Giant, you live in the OC. Sorry.
:p
Oh, second session yesterday was on my 5'6", just to shut up the haters.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/2012%20Maui/BE255B02-C75E-4B6D-B7B7-B382DE6C2196-752-000000B6167AECF2.jpg)
They've been quite the trash talkers lately, and got me fired up!
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I've been threatened with death by stabbing and beating in parking lot. In both instances, the other party instigated the situation by either shooting a board at me or intentionally dropping on a wave I got.
Longboarders and shorties finally have a cause to unite them.
Surf Giant
Where are you encountering this? That sounds pretty extreme.
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If some one your size is being hassled...can't imagine what a smaller person would be dealing with. That girl that was on your case...wonder what she sees when she looks in the mirror...must be something fierce...
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I've been threatened with death by stabbing and beating in parking lot. In both instances, the other party instigated the situation by either shooting a board at me or intentionally dropping on a wave I got.
Longboarders and shorties finally have a cause to unite them.
Surf Giant
Where are you encountering this? That sounds pretty extreme.
Doheny was one spot.
Cardiff was the other.
And in San Clemente I had a longboarder shoot his board at me.
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If he can't play nice with his board take it away from him.
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I went to school at PLNU and surfed the cliffs right out front of young Hall. (My dorm was right on the ocean ;D). I always thought the vibe was pretty mellow there. I never had issues being a surfing newb my fist year with virtually no instruction. Although this was 6 years before anyone even heard of stand up.
Nice OCkbar-thats where my son is hoping to transfer in February-fun spots all along that area.
Im pretty chill and accomodating up to a point-i dont apologize unless i did something wrong-i try to make peace if i can and just generally feel out the vibe on the paddle out-if youre too much of a kiss ass you get steamrolled.
Be aware going to that school, my brother went there, along with some of his buddies, they were all surfers, born and raised in SD. I think everyone of them ended up dropping out because they couldn't keep up with the classes, because they couldn't stay out of the water.
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^...killer pic of fart knocker..
That is a sweet board. How do you like it? I've been looking at a lot of shapes in that general style...just curious on how you like it. The wide tail is kind of throwing me off a little..but I have seen some mini-simmons that just get my drool start going...or even the CI neck beard.
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Super fun, nugget stick!
I demo'd one, and on the first wave it just took off like it was on rails. It has a concave running 3/4 of the board and the rails are beveled. Get one, you'll live it! Reasonably priced. :)
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Well witnessed my first SUP hate this weekend at TableTops. Not bad, took 3 months of SUP’ing to eventually encounter it, well not me personally.
2 other guys SUP’ing, one guy takes off on a set wave and older proner goes off on his buddy about “you guys” having no respect, and that he has his 13 yr old in the lineup. So automatically there is the protective dad factor. But I wasn’t sure if this was the case but I give dad the benefit of the doubt with the wave poaching by the SUPer. The 2 SUPers move over to where I am, off to the side.
Another SUP joins the lineup, Im closer in and I see the SUPer take off on the same wave as the 13 yr old kid but they are about 40 feet apart. He sees the kid and purposely cuts out the wave. Dad starts screaming “C’mon he’s only 13 yrs. old!”. Im pretty sure that had that been another proner…no problem. And here’s Dad screaming from the back of the lineup and can’t even see what’s going on. Anyway, the SUPer paddles up to the dad and exchanges words…no idea what was said. Dad shuts up.
I did catch up with SUPer later and asked him what was exchanged and he just said that he aint going to take that crap from proners, where its okay if they do it but a different set of rules for SUPers. He then says the dad told him that his board almost hit his kid, for which he had no way of seeing and I did and it wasn’t even close. Im glad he confronted the dad as I think its important for SUPers to stand up for their rights if they’re obeying etiquette, so we don’t have cases like this of daddy screaming in the lineup, setting a bad example and making us look bad. Personally, if I was that kid, Id be downright embarrassed if my dad was out there shouting at other surfers.
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Well witnessed my first SUP hate this weekend at TableTops. Not bad, took 3 months of SUP’ing to eventually encounter it, well not me personally.
2 other guys SUP’ing, one guy takes off on a set wave and older proner goes off on his buddy about “you guys” having no respect, and that he has his 13 yr old in the lineup. So automatically there is the protective dad factor. But I wasn’t sure if this was the case but I give dad the benefit of the doubt with the wave poaching by the SUPer. The 2 SUPers move over to where I am, off to the side.
Another SUP joins the lineup, Im closer in and I see the SUPer take off on the same wave as the 13 yr old kid but they are about 40 feet apart. He sees the kid and purposely cuts out the wave. Dad starts screaming “C’mon he’s only 13 yrs. old!”. Im pretty sure that had that been another proner…no problem. And here’s Dad screaming from the back of the lineup and can’t even see what’s going on. Anyway, the SUPer paddles up to the dad and exchanges words…no idea what was said. Dad shuts up.
I did catch up with SUPer later and asked him what was exchanged and he just said that he aint going to take that crap from proners, where its okay if they do it but a different set of rules for SUPers. He then says the dad told him that his board almost hit his kid, for which he had no way of seeing and I did and it wasn’t even close. Im glad he confronted the dad as I think its important for SUPers to stand up for their rights if they’re obeying etiquette, so we don’t have cases like this of daddy screaming in the lineup, setting a bad example and making us look bad. Personally, if I was that kid, Id be downright embarrassed if my dad was out there shouting at other surfers.
I stand up paddle Table Tops all the time, when it's small and uncrowded. But I didn't surf there this weekend, as I figured there'd be a lot of regular surfers out there. The beachbreaks were peaky enough, so I paddled from peak to peak in Del Mar and never had to hassle with anyone. I'd rather not see Table Tops get like Cardiff Reef, you know, packed with SUPers, even though I am often a SUPer. My 2 cents.
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I ran into some SUP hate at Costco the other day. A longboarder I know a little came up to me and said "you asshole". I just stared at him, and he said "you looked like you were having so much fun last year that I finally tried a SUP. Now I own four of them and I haven't been on my longboard all year."
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I ran into some SUP hate at Costco the other day. A longboarder I know a little came up to me and said "you asshole". I just stared at him, and he said "you looked like you were having so much fun last year that I finally tried a SUP. Now I own four of them and I haven't been on my longboard all year."
That's why it's important to wait a few seconds before you soak someone who swears at you. As with everything nowadays, words have new meaning and even asshole becomes a term of endearment.
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I was out a few weeks ago at my local so cal spot. Small and spotty, but the sun was going down and I just wanted to catch a few before sunset. I'm all alone for about 15 minutes until a couple of girls paddle out. It's a friendly break where everyone knows each other and they all play fair. I grab a waist high right-hander and this young lady hops the shoulder, takes it off the lip twice and then kicks out. I continue along my way and kick out before the shore break. I paddle back out and she hops me again... only this time she looks right at me and laughs as she tears into a little chest high roller. I smile and paddle back out. I let a few go and grabbed a nice left about shoulder high. She paddles across the peak and drops in on me... smiling the entire time. I finally paddle over to her to let her know she needed to respect her elders. Before I say word one, she blurts out " Hey old man, when your done sweeping up out here, why don't you go vacuum my house !" All I could do was laugh... If a 5X world champion can have a sense of humor about SUS, why can't everyone ?
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I was out as a proner (SUP is still being shaped)yesterday at Terra Mar and can see the other side of the argument. There were 6 or 7 SUPers out there and one or two really had no idea about etiquette regarding who gets a wave. We kept paddling to a different spot to get away from them to have them follow us repeatedly. Luckily, most of them could handle their boards just fine and if I knew the direction they were headed, I went the other way. I can see why surfers get annoyed, they just can't move from spot to spot as easily and catch as many waves. It really does seem like the SUPers take every good wave, even if they really are not. They certainly can move laterally much quicker to where the peak is, unlike a surfer reliant on their hand paddling.
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Understand how the line up works and you will not have any problems in the long run. Others may have problems but they are not yours and standing strong is important for sup'rs to gain credibility and acceptance. I'm always willing to take it to the beach if the harassment is too severe, which usually calms things down...
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That same guy with his kid at Tabletops yelled in my direction simply because I was paddling out. I laughed at him and he paddled away.
:)
(True story)
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i think the sup hate is gonna peak soon, and then it will just be pockets here and there.
SUP is now so prevelant at most places that a lot of proners have sort of given up-not that the hate is not still out there-but some spots where it was real bad for a while-Cardiff-have calmed down quite a bit now that they know its not a fad and its here to stay.
As usual everyone who rides anything in the water, anywhere at anytime needs to know the un-written rules-even if you dont agree with them, in the end the best overall approach is to tread lightly and be cool. Of course this wont always work and sometimes you have to stand up for your right to SUP where you want.
Everyone knows i cant stand the Aholes at Old Mans and the guys who have the lifees on speed-dial whenever we stray too close, anymore im not sure i would want to surf OM's if they lifted the ban tomorrow.
I hate bad vibes and try to avoid it, but everyone should push the boundaries as much as they see fit or are willing to accept the consequences.
Sometime i look over at OM's on a good day and there are just as many kooks on longboards as there are kooks on SUPS-like i said if they lifted the ban tomorrow i guess i would just take it day by day-if i was feeling ornery-its on!-if im feeling mellow-i hang out at patch, not having that option at OM's pisses me off something fierce though!
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Was out at oceanside pier had a short boarder paddle over to me. says "hey bro we don't do that here bro. sweepers aint gonna get any waves bro" I just paddled away from him. Funny thing is he said the same thing to me six months ago. I surf the area 3-4 days a week and I had only seen him the two times. If you are sweepeing at the pier be on the lookout for a guy that looks like a pudgy Taj Burrow with zinc face, likes to use the word "bro".
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Oh well, whilst Im still improving my skills, Im staying on the outskirts anyway, but Ive put in enough ocean time as a body surfer, proner myself and surf lifeguard that we're sharing waves. If theyre not careful Ill break out a competion malibu board that can catch a ripple and carve a wave too, and that will really give proners something to moan about. By the time they even see the set, Id already be on it. ;D
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k490/rory535/B8.png)
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I ran into some SUP hate at Costco the other day. A longboarder I know a little came up to me and said "you asshole". I just stared at him, and he said "you looked like you were having so much fun last year that I finally tried a SUP. Now I own four of them and I haven't been on my longboard all year."
Hahahaha!!
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That same guy with his kid at Tabletops yelled in my direction simply because I was paddling out. I laughed at him and he paddled away.
:)
(True story)
Is that the spot I saw you at?
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No. That was just the campgrounds.
I was at the reef today and got shafted by aggro longboard dude. I went right and was on the inside, he drops in, looks back, sees me, then keeps going. I pulled out and barely missed whacking his ankles with the nose of my board.
What he was probably thinking: "F'n Sup'er, I don't pull out for those a**holes."
I wasn't too bothered, as a better wave came behind it. But there's been some bad anti-sup vibe out in the water lately.
And lest we forget, too be a cool surfer, you have to hate Stand-up surfing.
:)
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Was out at oceanside pier had a short boarder paddle over to me. says "hey bro we don't do that here bro. sweepers aint gonna get any waves bro" I just paddled away from him. Funny thing is he said the same thing to me six months ago. I surf the area 3-4 days a week and I had only seen him the two times. If you are sweepeing at the pier be on the lookout for a guy that looks like a pudgy Taj Burrow with zinc face, likes to use the word "bro".
Ha! This may be the same guy that tried giving me a hard time at Oceanside harbor one day. Conditions weren't the best, and it was on the smaller side. I paddled out somewhat close to north jetty and was sort of hanging out on the edge of the lineup, hoping to hop on a shoulder or two, trying not to get in anyone's way. This guy, who probably was a bit too chubby for his board, was sunk in the water down to his nipples, tells me that I need to go over 'there', pointing to the other SUP'ers, who are hanging out south of us, where the swell is all mixed up and conditions are junk, and asks me why I even decided to come out here. I told him that I was the last thing he had to worry about, and I won't be getting in his way. I told him if he can't get any waves it's most likely he picked the wrong board and should do some sit-ups. His use of the word 'bro' makes me think it was the same loudmouth. This guy was just loud in general. He didn't give me crap after that, and was just being a douche in general, and talked more than he actually surfed. I find that the people in the harbor tend to be a little more respectful than further south in San Diego. In Oceanside you really don't know who you might be mouthing off to in the water. Could be some marine that will kick your ass for running your mouth, or someone shady dude that will stab you in the parking lot. What i have found though, is the guy that is usually running his mouth in the water is usually the shittiest surfer out there. Of all the times I have surfed at the harbor, this was the only guy who has ever said anything to my face.
Usually I try and ignore it and not let it get to me, but once had a surfer lose his giant, old school, volan-glassed log, no leash, and it nailed me in the thigh as I was coming down the line. Somehow I hooked under board with my paddle and flung t off me, pretty much getting that giant board airborne. This was evidenced by the ton of wax that was left on the shaft of my paddle. I never fell off my board, pulled out of the wave and paddled back out. The owner of the stray board starts yelling at me because I apparently dinged his board with my paddle! I told him to either learn how to control his board or use a leash. he didn't like that and started spouting off, so I just told him to 'f#@k off' and went on my way. This dude proceeded to follow me to the outside where he posted up next to me, and kept at it. I finally told him that I was tired of listen to him, he's already ruined my day, so we should paddle in and settle it. Now he shuts up and rethinks the situation, I told him it's too late and he needs to back up everything he's been saying, so we paddle in. I get out first, and am pissed. The loudmouth finally paddles in, runs up to me and gets within an inch of me and starts yelling at me again. Funny thing is, I am 6'2, and he came up to my chest. I let him finish his yelling, not saying a word to him. He finally finishes, and I tell him, "A fair fight is a fair fight, and you kick my ass there's no shame in that, and I can assure you I am not one of these SoCal pussies who goes running to the cops after a fight, but you might want to call an ambulance, because if you lay one finger on me, I am going to f@$%ing kill you." The guy basically stopped talking and walked away to his car and left. The funny thing was he parked right next to me in the parking lot! I was still fired up and although I should have let it go, I went up to the guy and told him if he changed his mind and grew a set I'm right here. He never did a thing and he left, and never saw him at that break ever again. Apparently I was hated at that break by a lot of surfers simply because I rode an SUP and didn't take any crap from any of them. Nobody ever had the stones to back up all of their trash talk, and was even told later on that people in the water started making bets about who would win, and even the guys that didn't like me were saying, "That stand up guy is going to kill that surfer!"
I sort of stopped surfing after that, only going out occasionally because I was sick of the people out in the water. Luckily I moved north to Oceanside where it seems a little better. Not as many people that have this sense of entitlement, and it's not as crowded either.
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I like the "call an ambulance" line, I might add it to: "Either you're going to beat up on an old guy, or more likely, someone old enough to be your grandfather is going to kick your ass." though there haven't been any opportunities to use either in a long time.
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never had any probs at Oside-but i tend to stay in front of Hobbits-heading north towards jetty is a batter wave but as i get older and mellower, its just not worth the hassle, and im decent on my board, but the proners dont care-they hate you because its cool to hate you, and surfers more than anything nowadays are desperate to be cool. Youre right about Oside though ODJ-its not OC-some sketchy dudes in those lineups.
Went yesterday with Boludo to a fun little spot down in SD-really mellow-some butt boarders out early-paddle past the haters then several head and sometimes overhead peaks all over the place-super fun, little inconsistent but worlds better than Patch.
I want to have a good surf and avoid the vibes if possible-im not 6-2, just your average shorter white dude, i like to surf better waves but often the proner vibe just kills the good time, i dont want to have to battle and get stuffed and get vibed just to catch a decent wave.
I still think the level of sup hate has dropped substantially in the last few years and that it will eventually drop to where its just isolated pockets. In Socal at least there will always be some sup hate-its the same with longboard and goat boat and sponge hate. As long as editors of the uber cool surf mags keep saying its fun and cool to hate sups there will be young fresh minds to instill the hatred. Maybe with more and more local respected shapers getting into the sup gig that will diminish some of it-Patterson etc...
Oh well, go where you want to go and be prepared for the worst and hope for the best, and more than anything have fun.
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Fortunately, where I SUP the vibe is generally mellow. I've had many more prone surfers approach me with positive comments about rides and whatnot than I've had unpleasant encounters, which number about two. I'm sure some prone surfers just tolerate (and maybe only barely) SUPs in the lineup, but as long as they don't make an issue out of it, I'm OK with that.
Still, one reason I've considered getting a Go Pro or equivalent is to have an easy way to record crap people might say or do. Early on in my SUP experience, I had a big dude on a bigger longboard paddle up to me and say "Get out of the water now or I'm going to kill you." I'm a relatively small and physically unimposing guy, but I wasn't about bullied out of the water, especially since just another (friendly) proner and I had been sharing waves between ourselves until Mr. Loudmouth showed up. So I kept surfing and Mr. Loudmouth kept making threats that got more and more extreme. This is what I'd like to have on record.
Why? Well respect to those who indeed "settle it" on the beach, but if you go that route, you probably want to avoid any hint of "mutual combat" as that can just get both parties tossed in the can. Better to have evidence of one party being the aggressor, especially if you end up giving (or taking) a beating.
In my case, I pegged the Loudmouth as a bully with just enough brains not to try to back up his words. Of course, he could have been a sociopath in which case things could have gotten pretty ugly. Still, I think having video rolling will discourage all but the dimmest bulbs from making or carrying out physical threats.
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Fortunately, where I SUP the vibe is generally mellow. I've had many more prone surfers approach me with positive comments about rides and whatnot than I've had unpleasant encounters, which number about two. I'm sure some prone surfers just tolerate (and maybe only barely) SUPs in the lineup, but as long as they don't make an issue out of it, I'm OK with that.
Still, one reason I've considered getting a Go Pro or equivalent is to have an easy way to record crap people might say or do. Early on in my SUP experience, I had a big dude on a bigger longboard paddle up to me and say "Get out of the water now or I'm going to kill you." I'm a relatively small and physically unimposing guy, but I wasn't about bullied out of the water, especially since just another (friendly) proner and I had been sharing waves between ourselves until Mr. Loudmouth showed up. So I kept surfing and Mr. Loudmouth kept making threats that got more and more extreme. This is what I'd like to have on record.
Why? Well respect to those who indeed "settle it" on the beach, but if you go that route, you probably want to avoid any hint of "mutual combat" as that can just get both parties tossed in the can. Better to have evidence of one party being the aggressor, especially if you end up giving (or taking) a beating.
In my case, I pegged the Loudmouth as a bully with just enough brains not to try to back up his words. Of course, he could have been a sociopath in which case things could have gotten pretty ugly. Still, I think having video rolling will discourage all but the dimmest bulbs from making or carrying out physical threats.
Thant's the sad thing about the surf culture, and dare I say the culture of the west coast in general. Yes, I am 6'2, but I am by no means a big guy at 185 lbs., 36 years old, although I am fit, but being in school full-time for the last year and a half and working full-time as well has taken it's toll on my fitness! I'm from the east coast, and back there if someone mouths off to you, you don't have time to explain to them that you are going to flatten them if they keep it up, because you have a split second to decide to engage, or to run away! Nobody wastes time talking. I came out here 4 years ago with that mentality, and when these guys out here in the water start mouthing off, I'm like, "Ok, let's do this!", and when you get in their face they freak out, start blabbering and make excuses, and even threaten to call the cops! Seriously, these guys are the most cowardly, entitled people I have ever come across. I have seen where the guy who starts harassing another guy gets smacked, and even though he initiated it, he paddles in, calls the cops, and the police are waiting for the other guy on the beach! Believe me, I am not going out there looking for trouble, but surfers seem to love giving me crap, and my fault is I take the bait and snap back instead of just smiling and ignoring them. I've had tons of days where the surfers are cool, I say good morning to everyone, call out sets, know my place, etc. Honestly though, I think what a lot of these guys need is a good old-fashioned ass-kicking when they run their mouths.
When I was a kid you got into fist fights. Sometimes you won, and you sometimes got your ass beat. No shame in getting beat up, but there is shame in running your mouth, and then being a coward and not doing anything about it, or calling the cops. I have had several instances I would have not hesitated to knock someone out to make an example of them for harassing me, but given I am an RN, I can EASILY lose my nursing license if I got arrested. I have had many guys start trouble, say they are going to kick my ass, but to this day, NEVER had anyone in the water actually hit me. The hospital I work at does yearly background checks, and any sort of charge for assault, etc. would definitely result in me being let go, so throwing the first punch for me is out of the question.
It seriously got so bad with people giving me shit (and like I said, I routinely told these clown to do something about it and nobody EVERY would, they are just all talk) that I felt like paddling in with that guy would prove a point and set an example, and it did work, even though it did not go to exchanging punches. They realized that I meant what I said! In my mind I thought if these guys see me knock someone out who comes after me, they might think twice next time they consider mouthing off to someone in the water.
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wow, some EGOS sound quite big in CA and HI. im sure we have em here in the NE but yet to encounter anything to write here about. guess i should be more thankful for "winter" surfing :). this thread definitely has enlightened me to travel SUSing in the US.
do you guys deal with that stuff in Nor Cal too?
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I have got a friend ex navy seal special forces, 6 or 7 black belts looks alittle like the commander in avatar but he is like 5'5" people pick on him all the time. many now have broken bones. he hats it o be called old. he is 55. tangling with him would sorta be like getting into a cage fight with a pro. I just take him with me. if i need any help. I am 59 couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper sack. No just kidding he doesnt sup
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It is pretty amazing how pissy people can be and still not back it up. But generally if someone yells at you in Pidgin here in Maui you can pretty much bet they're quite willing to back it up. These guys "like scrap".
California and Oregon, not so much, though you just never know. People take aggressive positions that would get your lights punched out in Chicago, Boston or New York. When I first moved west, people thought I was a sarcastic psycho. I'd make typical east coast sarcastic comments and people would give me hurt puppy looks. Took a while to realize that it didn't pass for humor in Cali. But then people would get right in my face being aggressive and be very surprised when I'd sucker punch them in the kisser. Took a while for that reflex to calm down, but where I grew up when someone came at you, it was time to try to get in the first punch, and make it a good one.
But that was 50 years ago.
I've heard from several sources that Laird slaps people who get in his face. I imagine that's like getting slapped by a Gorilla. It's probably pretty tough to complain to the cops that you were slapped half to death.
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Bill, having grown up in Brooklyn, I'm amazed how crazy people are getting. Where I'm from, if you talk like that you'd better be ready for blood. That's why I have a smile for everybody, even those who act a bit dickish. I know what happens when the smile goes away.
I would never even dream of going off on someone unless I knew I was ready to take the guy on.
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It is pretty amazing how pissy people can be and still not back it up. But generally if someone yells at you in Pidgin here in Maui you can pretty much bet they're quite willing to back it up. These guys "like scrap".
California and Oregon, not so much, though you just never know.
This pretty much mirrors my experience. That is, I translate "I'm going to kill you" stated in the lineup according to where I am.
In Hawaii, somebody's ending up in the ER.
In California, somebody's car is going to get vandalized.
In New England, probably none of the above.
I could be wrong of course, but this translation has served me so far.
Hawaii is the only place I've seen actual violence not infrequently, but this was a long time ago. A school buddy visited my family one summer and has fond memories of getting punched out by a local for the crime of kicking out of a wave after the local dropped in on him. Apparently the local thought my buddy shouldn't have taken the wave in the first place and that he came to close to him when kicking out. Actually, I'm sure he just wanted to pound a skinny white kid.
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x2 for locals in HI being ready, willing and able to go at it. "Like beef"? I seem to recall that was the expression.
Amazingly, I surfed there for over 3 years and never once got in a fight. Had a couple of threats, nothing too serious. But, although I'm only 5'6" and was then about 130 lbs soaking wet, I was a supremely confident, able bodied Marine. I think that confidence might have kept me out of trouble a few times. Bullys pick on the weak.
But some places, like Makaha, are just a fight waiting to happen for us Haoles. I still have my little Al Merrick board, since repaired but showing 3 clear skeg slashes on the bottom. The result of a local coming right at me. I rolled and he slashed right thru my board, glad he missed my fingers.
A buddy of mine, just as white and in the military handled things perfectly one day. A "local" (Japanese, not Hawaiian) paddled up to him all pissed off, grabbed the nose of his board and before the local could make his move, my buddy punched him square in the face. That was the end of that.
Now, I surf in the Midwest and I swear, it's just a big love fest out there. We figure, if you're crazy enough to try and surf on a cold lake, you must be okay.
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Funny but embarrassing story with no surf content.
Many years ago in Portland one Sunday I was behind this somewhat ratty Dodge Charger with four guys in it at a light. Light changed, no movement. I waited for a ten count and bipped the horn. The driver freaks out. Puts the car in park charges back, starts yelling at me and kicks the door of my fairly new Ford Aerostar (I said it was long ago, eh). So I get out and his buddies start getting out of the car, he lurches forward swinging both arms back and I smacked him as hard as I could in the nose. He goes over backwards and stays down, his buddies actually get back in the car. I get in my soccer mom van and drive home.
While I'm driving I'm playing the scene over in my head, and realized he wasn't swinging his arms back to cock a punch, he was gesturing and leaning forward. Basically defenseless when I clobbered him.
Next day (Monday) I go to the Starbucks next to the office building I worked in, and there's the guy, in line, with a suit, a briefcase, a purple nose the size of a dill pickle and two black eyes. He says "you've got a short fuze" and that was that. I saw him a couple times a week for more than a year. Watched his eyes turn various shades of purple, green, brown, yellow, etc.
I always wondered what kind of buddies he had though. They got back in the car like rabbits. Didn't even help him up.
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The Orange County Register has an article about a University of California Irvine professor Aaron James and his book "A-holes, a Theory". He is also a surfer. The article is way to long to try to cover here. But, he is certainly describing the same characters listed above. It seems that what all these people have in common is that they think they have way more right to, that wave in your case, than you do. It isn't really about skill, time at that spot. They are the same people that cut in line etc. They most likely won't change.
The article was about this type of personality. How to deal with them was not covered.
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Hawaiians don't like it when you drop in behind them. I'm very respectful when over there. If there's a local rotation going on, it would be five waves for them and maybe one for me. And when it was my turn, no matter how big the wave, I'd go. Because regardless, it was back of the line for me.
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The Orange County Register has an article about a University of California Irvine professor Aaron James and his book "A-holes, a Theory". He is also a surfer. The article is way to long to try to cover here. But, he is certainly describing the same characters listed above. It seems that what all these people have in common is that they think they have way more right to, that wave in your case, than you do. It isn't really about skill, time at that spot. They are the same people that cut in line etc. They most likely won't change.
The article was about this type of personality. How to deal with them was not covered.
I have not been able to read for pleasure because I have been in both working and in school full time, and had to write a research paper every week for the last year and a half. I am done with school in a week, and this, sir, will be my first read!
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The Orange County Register has an article about a University of California Irvine professor Aaron James and his book "A-holes, a Theory". He is also a surfer. The article is way to long to try to cover here. But, he is certainly describing the same characters listed above. It seems that what all these people have in common is that they think they have way more right to, that wave in your case, than you do. It isn't really about skill, time at that spot. They are the same people that cut in line etc. They most likely won't change.
The article was about this type of personality. How to deal with them was not covered.
I have not been able to read for pleasure because I have been in both working and in school full time, and had to write a research paper every week for the last year and a half. I am done with school in a week, and this, sir, will be my first read!
Not sure where Aaron James fits in, but one of the more fun and enlightening reads I came across awhile back was "The No A$$hole Rule" by Robert Sutton at Harvard Business School. There's a few abstracts to be had online that pretty much get the point across. As you would expect from Harvard, there's a clearly articulated definition of what an A$$hole is and then some real-world analysis of what having such people might cost a business.
http://www.thenoassholerule.com/ (http://www.thenoassholerule.com/)
Glad we have our best minds on the case!
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There's no question in my mind that toxic people cost companies hugely. I had a few employees over the years that nearly destroyed our business. My rule for firing such employees is that you simply can't do it fast enough. Of course you have to make certain that the behavior is consistent and can't be corrected by fixing something external. I had a very talented employee that was dismissive of anything women said to him, which is a challenge given that our agency is mostly run by women--smart, very capable women. I talked with him about it, and he kept using the term "bitches". I escorted him to his office to remove his stuff, had IT kill all his access while he was gathering his crap, and walked him to the door.
No a$$holes indeed. It's an important rule. After I got rid of him I contacted the clients he'd been working with and told them I had dismissed him and would assign a new team lead to their account. Two of the three told me that was a very good thing since they were about to ditch us to be rid of him.
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Hawaiians don't like it when you drop in behind them. I'm very respectful when over there. If there's a local rotation going on, it would be five waves for them and maybe one for me. And when it was my turn, no matter how big the wave, I'd go. Because regardless, it was back of the line for me.
I was standup surfing Cardiff yesterday. Small waves, just me and a buddy who was riding his longboard were sitting on the south peak. My buddy went in, and it was just me, bobbing along there, waiting for a wave. This full suit wearing stand up dude with a floppy hat and sunglasses comes paddling towards me from the North. As a little set wave is coming towards me he picks up his pace and just comes tearing at me as fast as he can to get the wave. He hustles onto it, being a dick. It was funny.
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Most sup's don't know how to hang in a line up!
Either their boards are too big or they stand in front of people!
I stand behind looking over proners or drop to a knee if I am close, dropping to a knee is a lot less imposing to others.
I see to mana bozo supers ruining line ups for good sup surfers
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I do have surfing friends that despise stand-ups anywhere near their peak. There was an incident over the holiday weekend, and the Sup guy was at fault. Mr. Supper is quite an accomplished surfer, but when he gets on his stand-up board, he forgets his manners. So, he paddled out right into the group of surfers and does what I hate to see...just takes off on the first wave that comes. The problem was, Scott (long time surfer in his 50's) was also paddling for the wave, and wasn't about to give Mr. Supper an inch. They both take off, boards touch, bodies fly, and they come up exchanging words about each other's mothers. Mr. Supper paddled away.
This issue was resolved because Scott didn't back down. Just because you can get any wave, certainly means, you shouldn't. Some surfers sit around shivering, waiting minutes for that next wave, which they have to baddle ten other guys for. And then paddle guy just goes right outside and takes the set wave. Not cool.
I think to sum it up, surfers will definitely go the extra mile to protect their break. Scott see's Sup as a threat. I've showed him videos of Zane doing incredible maneuvers, and to him, it doesn't matter. He knows Sup's have an advantage catching waves, and he hates hit. He is creating his own problem, however by hating the sport.
You either like it, tolerate it, or do something about it. No Sups at Swammi's, Windansea, Honolua, Pipeline, etc.
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Most sup's don't know how to hang in a line up!
Either their boards are too big or they stand in front of people!
I stand behind looking over proners or drop to a knee if I am close, dropping to a knee is a lot less imposing to others.
I see to mana bozo supers ruining line ups for good sup surfers
If I take a knee it takes me ten minutes to get back up. I keep moving and give surfers as much slack as possible, In a break with right and lefts I move from side to side pretty often. I say it's so people won't know what a wavehog I am, but really it's so I don't have to sit down and be social. I'm either outside, of way inside. I don't hover over any of the surfers.
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Yes Bill this works too!!
I sup surf at Malibu a lot and you have to know how to fit in
I usually ride a 6'10 or 7'6 which is plenty for this easy take off world class wave
When on the outside I sit way over to the side and on the sets let a few go then sprint over to the perf spot for take off or sit inside like Bill says.
If I pump hard enough and keep enough speed down the line I keep people from dropping in on me, some guys still do so then I start hitting the lip and that sometimes gets them to cut out.
Even when its crowded I can often look at the wave from the beach and see it breaking in spots unridden.
Understanding and reading the ocean is everything
Our sport has a long way to go, the paddle is a magic too that makes amazing things possible
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Funny. As those who have surfed with me know... I will not let a wave go wasted... but am SUPER courteous to proners.
That said, the spot below my house is VERY SUP unfriendly... and I never "bring a friend" ... I have some friends at the spot... but my super close buddy is an SUP'er. Quite frankly, I SUP to de-stress and for fun and friendship... and I would rather SUP with my friend and have fun (driving a half hour to an hour) than SUP at my spot and have to scrap, scrape, scream and scheme for four hours.
Quick weekday morning pre-work sessions excepted, of course.
SL
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And if surfers were more Sup friendly, you could paddle there all you want. But many see us as a threat. One of my surf ing buddies continues to try and make his problem, my problem. He definitely runs any Sup's off his break. But has to constantly tell me about it. I have never caused an issue with him, nor anyone else. But once you choose to hate something, it's hard to go back.
He says its the paddle, not the board. That Sup'ers have a definite advantage and do it to catch more waves. To which I ask, "If just the paddle gets me more waves, why do you ride a 9'3" epoxy board and not a 6'3" fiberglass shorty?"
Hmm, maybe because he can get more waves on a bigger board. It's so funny to hear longboarders try and complain about someone like me who rides an 8'0" and sometimes a 6'6" Sup. Where's my advantage?
/vent
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It's so funny to hear longboarders try and complain about someone like me who rides an 8'0" and sometimes a 6'6" Sup. Where's my advantage?
/vent
Craig, I wonder what the volume comparison is between a 6'6 SUP and a 9'3 longboard.
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I'm going to be visiting San Diego for a 4 days in Jan.
This thread has me a bit nervous ;) Haters,stabbers,guns, fights - sounds like more like "Blackhawk down" than "Endless summer"
Where should I go to standup surf?
Where should I stay away from?
thx,
Joe "I am Canadian"
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I'm going to be visiting San Diego for a 4 days in Jan.
This thread has me a bit nervous ;) Haters,stabbers,guns, fights - sounds like more like "Blackhawk down" than "Endless summer"
Where should I go to standup surf?
Where should I stay away from?
thx,
Joe "I am Canadian"
Come on down Canadian Joe!-youre the next contestant on The SUP is Wrong!
just kidding-try the world famous Dogpatch for some absolutely no hassle sup surfing-not the greatest wave but warm fuzzies and lots of zoners abound in the lineup.
Cardiff and some spots in the surrounding area are fun, vibe is hit and miss.
If you happen to be George St. Pierre-drop in on ajuicy right at Swamis-then get ready to choke someone out if thats your idea of fun.
Im mostly up in South Orange County but i think youll get some more detailed advice from the North and South SD crew on here-just have fun and be cool and youll be fine.
Enjoy!
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I'm going to be visiting San Diego for a 4 days in Jan.
This thread has me a bit nervous ;) Haters,stabbers,guns, fights - sounds like more like "Blackhawk down" than "Endless summer"
Where should I go to standup surf?
Where should I stay away from?
thx,
Joe "I am Canadian"
Joe, feel free to pm me when you get in. Myself and other zoners will take you out to some good spots. It's all pretty mellow around here. Sounds worse than it is, at least for me.
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I'm going to be visiting San Diego for a 4 days in Jan.
This thread has me a bit nervous ;) Haters,stabbers,guns, fights - sounds like more like "Blackhawk down" than "Endless summer"
Where should I go to standup surf?
Where should I stay away from?
thx,
Joe "I am Canadian"
Joe, feel free to pm me when you get in. Myself and other zoners will take you out to some good spots. It's all pretty mellow around here. Sounds worse than it is, at least for me.
See what did i tell you-resident North San Diego zone ambassador Boludo steppin up!
let me know if you guys grab a surf-want to see if i can make it!
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To ease tension the drop to a knee or have a seat is brilliant. Primary school teachers have been using this technique for eons, and if you put your ruler down on the desk that helps too.
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If I sit down, it's because I'm resting, not to put the haters at ease.
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Joe, the simple answer to your visit is to make the trip to San Onofre, go all the way south, and surf at Dogpatch. All Sup all the time, and you'll see everything from first tries to magazine worthy surfing out there. Let us know when and where and I'm sure someone from the Zone will come over and introduce themselves. Have a fun trip.
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Sometimes it sucks... Sometimes it's magical. It usually sucks when there is no need for cooperation. It becomes magical when you open up people's eyes... And when people are glad there there is another guy out.
Was out in front of the pad on Saturday afternoon. Not massive by any means, but solid overhead plus on the sets. Big enough to break one of my favorite leashes. Breaking over a pretty sticky shelf. Kind of like backdoor in that it is a 75 yard racetrack, if that, then OUT before the explosion (on a WNW). Watched with wife, dog and binocs for a few... Seemed like the really big set waves were being wasted as everyone was too far on the shoulder... Looked like you could get way deeper and kind of slingshot in... Probably 30 yards deeper. Paddled out. Stood DEEP. Dredging backside bomb after backside bomb. The punk proners and spongers (it's a bit of a sponger spot... Due to the quickness of the right, the thickness of the lip, etc.) were going ballistic... Screaming and hooting every rail grab, every paddle drag, and (especially) every time I was too deep and got clobbered.
At one point, I am pitted grabbing rail going right, a punk surf kid is grabbing rail pitted going left... We both had our eyes on each other the whole time... Locked in... And cut out within feet of each other... And hi fived on the paddle back out.
Before the session is over, a proner with whom I have had aggressive words paddles deep next to me. We trade set waves for a half hour... Then he asks to try my board. He can't stand on it, but I give him some encouragement and give him my email... Tell him to hit me up and I will set him up with the right board. He says, "I used to be a hater... But I figure, adapt or die... And I watched for awhile before I paddled out... And I gotta learn to ride what you are riding."
We actually exchanged first names...
Paddling back out after my second to last wave, another proner who was pretty much just spectating says "I can't believe you went... I can't believe you made it..."
I said, "hey, when its my turn, I don't want to be the guy who didn't go, that's not how I roll..". And smiled.
He says, "I know."
Brick by brick, the wall is being taken down.
SL
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^
Tim, you have a way with words and an ability to get your message across to those who despise us. Which brings up a good point. Go when it's big, definitely go when it's huge. Impress the masses by speaking no words at all.
Sunday, we all had fun. When it got crowded, I paddled away to thin out "our" pack. But when the bigger sets came, we all charged. Heck, and we all let some go due to lack of paddle power. If we couldn't get them, no way were the proners going to until it practically just dumped on the inside.
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Would love to join you guys sometime.......although it was too big for my liking over the weekend. I sat and watched many a SUP get pounded trying to get out at Cardiff, which was enough to just enjoy spectating!
Funny enough, the guy that I had encountered sprouting off at TableTops, I saw again later in the week and he was actually chatting to other SUP'ers. So there's hope!
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I don't think it's generally as bad as it sounds. Sure there's some bad seeds, but most guys just want to have fun in the water and don't like it when somebody on a huge board sits outside and picks off every set.
I just had a great talk with four guys on prone boards in the parking lot at Oceanside Harbor. They were stoked on my board and couldn't believe how much speed it carried in small waves. Said I was definitely on the right board for the conditions. All of them said they were fine with stand-ups as long as they didn't sit at the head of a pack and grab every set. When I told them to make sure to let our offenders hear about it, they all smiled and said no problem.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
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Stoke is contagious
And applying the Golden Rule dosent hurt either
SL is right-the Wall is slowly being torn down
Cue David Gilmour solo......
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Stoke is contagious
And applying the Golden Rule dosent hurt either
SL is right-the Wall is slowly being torn down
Cue David Gilmour solo......
We are the world...
We are the children...
We are the ones who make a better day so lets start living...
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Is that Michael Jackson?
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Funny about the sitting far outside mention. That was mandatory last Friday. Paddling up legit 10ft walls was enough to spook me and there was no way I was going to get caught inside. While way outside, I was thinking "safety first":
* I can't duck dive.
* I don't want to bail my board in front of the pack.
* High potential for leash snapping and causing mass carnage.
* oh yeah, paddling up 10ft walls.
It all worked out until my header on the inside that took me out of commission on the Sup.
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Funny about the sitting far outside mention. That was mandatory last Friday. Paddling up legit 10ft walls was enough to spook me and there was no way I was going to get caught inside. While way outside, I was thinking "safety first":
* I can't duck dive.
* I don't want to bail my board in front of the pack.
* High potential for leash snapping and causing mass carnage.
* oh yeah, paddling up 10ft walls.
It all worked out until my header on the inside that took me out of commission on the Sup.
You guys had balls!
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I'm going to be visiting San Diego for a 4 days in Jan.
This thread has me a bit nervous ;) Haters,stabbers,guns, fights - sounds like more like "Blackhawk down" than "Endless summer"
Where should I go to standup surf?
Where should I stay away from?
thx,
Joe "I am Canadian"
Joe, feel free to pm me when you get in. Myself and other zoners will take you out to some good spots. It's all pretty mellow around here. Sounds worse than it is, at least for me.
Thx . That sounds great!
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Joe,
You got a killer tour guide hooked up. Most spots are super friendly... the crowded good spots are (unsurprisingly) not as friendly.
After two hours at one such spot on Sunday... fifty yards from the pack... sitting in the rocks with four body boarders who saw how much fun I was having and came over to join it... some George Greenough wannabe on a belly board paddles / kicks right out and onto the peak I was sitting at... and starts giving me grief for standup... misquoting the rules... sounding like everyon's idea of a stoner surfer... I was not going to let him ruin my super fun session. "Don't quote the laws to me half brain... I negotiated with Orange County Parks and Rec for the SUP regulations for this SPECIFIC spot... and I am allowed here." Stoner: "Oh you are that guy... F*ck... you think you are hot sh*t." Me: "You are the one who just called me hot sh*t... and by the way, while you were taking two hours to masturbate and drink your coffee this morning, I have been surfing. So here is the deal, paddle the f*ck away from me NOW."
He paddled away and I enjoyed another two hours before paddling home.
Just before I paddle home, a few proners migrated to my peak... I took one more wave, got a quick little section... paddled back through the newly formed pack, "Don't worry guys, I am paddling home now. Have a good day." With a huge smile of course.
It was a fun morning... the end of my wave ended up on the inside of the crowd... one wave in particular, I pull in, get a little shack... shoot over the back... and got a double shaka from a couple of proners... as I was trying to shaka back during the pull out, I fell on my arse.
SL
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SL latest bolg is a good example of what happens when the highly educated meets up with the highly uneducated.
Good job SL!!
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I SUPed at Church yesterday and got ZERO grief. It's a Christmas miracle!
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Surfed today as OS harbor. Was out there for over 4 hours. Depending on where the peak was I just did my best to hang out at the edge of the lineup, picking off shoulders, and the occasional peak if it showed up where I was hanging out. Earlier it was peaking closer to the middle between the two jetties, so i hung out closer to north jetty, away from the main lineup. A few hours later the sets were rolling in right where I was hanging out, and subsequently the lineup moved over to where I was all morning, so I moved to where they previously were, again, avoiding the crowd, and hanging out at the edge of the main lineup, picking off shoulders and the occasional peak that came my way. Never had anyone say a word to me all day until later in the morning some guy paddles up like 2 inches from me and says, "You know, even the best paddlers don't hang out at the main peak around here." Funny thing was, I was nowhere near where the sets were rolling in or near the crowd! I pretended to ignore him and he repeated himself, and I ignored him again. The funny thing was I was nowhere near the main lineup, and where I was positioned it was just him and I! This guy proceeded to prove himself to have the biggest mouth in the lineup, being very loud, flipping off his buddies and just being very obnoxious. I was in position for a perfect left, dropped in and this same guy blatantly paddles over to the same wave, and drops in right in front of me. For a second I seriously had half a mind to just run him over on purpose which would have resulted in serious injury for him since he was a tiny guy problably about late 40's, on a very small short board, and I'm 6'2, 190lbs on an 8'10 SUP (which is what I intent to do if this guy ever tries this again). While on the wave (which was a nice shoulder high + set wave) I yelled at the guy, "Wtf, you a$shole!!" and he looks back and says, "Like you're going to do anything about it!" then he pulls out, I pull out soon after and yelled at him again, calling him an as$hole. He scurries away into the main lineup and I resume my position where I previously was. His buddy is now over where I am as well. After a minute or so his buddy starts talking to me, super nice guy, wishes me Merry Christmas, and then says, "I know my buddy dropped in on you. I'm sorry for that, but my friend is an as$hole." I told the guy, "You're friend's lucky it's Christmas, otherwise I would have punched him in the mouth." His buddy then replied, " He's a wave hog and a jerk, and I have no idea why I am friends with him, but I've known him forever." I told the guy, "I guess we all have a friend like that, and there is one guy just like him in every lineup, and you're friend is 'that guy'. I let it go this time, but mark my word, next time this guy drops in on me on purpose he'll be run over for sure. No more putting on the brakes because some prone surfer drops in on me on purpose when I am in position and have right of way simply because I am on an SUP. You drop in on me on purpose, you deal with the consequences!
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Surfed today as OS harbor. Was out there for over 4 hours. Depending on where the peak was I just did my best to hang out at the edge of the lineup, picking off shoulders, and the occasional peak if it showed up where I was hanging out. Earlier it was peaking closer to the middle between the two jetties, so i hung out closer to north jetty, away from the main lineup. A few hours later the sets were rolling in right where I was hanging out, and subsequently the lineup moved over to where I was all morning, so I moved to where they previously were, again, avoiding the crowd, and hanging out at the edge of the main lineup, picking off shoulders and the occasional peak that came my way. Never had anyone say a word to me all day until later in the morning some guy paddles up like 2 inches from me and says, "You know, even the best paddlers don't hang out at the main peak around here." Funny thing was, I was nowhere near where the sets were rolling in or near the crowd! I pretended to ignore him and he repeated himself, and I ignored him again. The funny thing was I was nowhere near the main lineup, and where I was positioned it was just him and I! This guy proceeded to prove himself to have the biggest mouth in the lineup, being very loud, flipping off his buddies and just being very obnoxious. I was in position for a perfect left, dropped in and this same guy blatantly paddles over to the same wave, and drops in right in front of me. For a second I seriously had half a mind to just run him over on purpose (which is what I intent to do if this guy ever tries this again). While on the wave (which was a nice shoulder high + set wave) I yelled at the guy, "Wtf, you a$shole!!" and he looks back and says, "Like you're going to do anything about it!" then he pulls out, I pull out soon after and yelled at him again, calling him an as$hole. He scurries away into the main lineup and I resume my position where I previously was. His buddy is now over where I am as well. After a minute or so his buddy starts talking to me, super nice guy, wishes me Merry Christmas, and then says, "I know my buddy dropped in on you. I'm sorry for that, but my friend is an as$hole." I told the guy, "You're friend's lucky it's Christmas, otherwise I would have punched him in the mouth." His buddy then replied, " He's a wave hog and a jerk, and I have no idea why I am friends with him, but I've known him forever." I told the guy, "I guess we all have a friend like that, and there is one guy just like him in every lineup, and you're friend is 'that guy'. I let it go this time, but mark my word, next time this guy drops in on me on purpose he'll be run over for sure. No more putting on the brakes because some prone surfer drops in on me on purpose when I am in position and have right of way simply because I am on an SUP. You drop in on me on purpose, you deal with the consequences!
There's always "that guy". Glad you got some good ones in spite of the offender.
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For a second I seriously had half a mind to just run him over...
Sounds like you handled this pretty much perfectly. Must have been tough not to run him down right after he'd been mouthing off like a fool.
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It's official, I'm a grumpy old A-hole. I was surfing at S-turns and having a really good timein some nicely shaped head to chest waves. There were a few other people out including this longboarder who was trimming too far back to catch anything, Everyone was being pretty good about taking turns, but this guy missed every wave he want after, so I decided to take his too. No sense in wasting them.
After I got about four or five waves that he was going for he paddled over and said "You standup guys..." the hackles on my neck popped up and I was just about to unload on this guy when he finished his sentence "...seem to have all the fun."
I realize I was going to jump down his throat because I knew I was being a bit of a snake. Instant Karma. In repentance I told him he was a bit too far back on the board to catch anything. He paddled back to his takeoff spot, didn't change his trim, and never caught a wave that I saw.
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This is the best Topic EVER :D
There is an A-hole at my local spot too, always giving us Paddlers a hard time.
Until one time he had a fight with the wrong guy...
This guy used to be the local surfing king for years and just gave SUP a go.
The comments and cursing he got from all the surfers were priceless.
Now he never dares to open an argument anymore.
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Back from the dead... because today I had some beef in the water.
One of my local spots. SB Jetty. Some what crowded but not too bad. Me and one other stand up guy and about 20 other prwners. I notice a family talking out in the water, all with southern accents. No other thought. Didn't even look at them really. just heard the accent.
5 min later...
I am on my board paddling back out and to the left toward the oil derrick after a fun long shoulder high right. Just then a large dude (maybe 6'4) on a huge long board catches the 3 foot wave-of-his life. I start paddling harder left to get past this guy on his wave. I made the decision to cross because that direction was the way out of the impact zone AND because I knew I could get across if I hustled.
He trims down the line- hauling ass without any checking... without any section turn or other interference to his speed. I am paddling all the way left now and he makes no attempt to carve around me or or trim back and bottom turn... no. Nothing- He just B-lines right behind me by about a foot or two. My board is no 90 degrees to the wave because I was paddling sideways to get away from this big guy... The waves apex catches my fins. My feet come loose- I go down as the wave passes. My board stays with me - I kick down my leash to keep it from getting too far and land on the bottom in waist deep water. I look up and this dude is 50 yards past standing looking at me. I knew it was close, but I also knew It hadn't made any contact. MY eyes were on the board the whole time.
He screams out in that southern accent i heard earlier: "Learn how to ride that thing or get the fuck out of here!".
STOP...
Now obviously I could have just gone back the other way instead of cross his line. I didn't because I should have been able to get across without interfering with his wave... I actually was across, but he just decided to take the maximum top line right on my heals. The wave was totally shoulder and not sectioning or closing out in any way, clean surface. I gave this shmuck 30 yards of clean space to get around me at least and still have him be able to stay on the wave with nothing more than a little mellow turn down to miss me...
I don't even say anything for a second. I was shocked... I just stare at him and shake my pointer finger, pissed. I get back on my board as he paddles up...
I yell down at him "Learn how to ride that thing and I don't care who the fuck you think are, you don't get to talk to anyone out here like that".
He yells "I'm the one getting waves you idiot. You want to take this to the parking lot!"
I say (a little quieter now) "I was trying to get away from you. Did the board even touch you? Whats your fucking problem?"
He paddles past and keeps talking shit under his breath...
I yell loud so everyone could just about here it... "I don't care what you read on the internet, you don't get to talk to people like that out here."
About 20 min later he comes up and apologizes.
"Sorry man I was out of line - the board was coming at me and it freaked me out dude."
I said: I am sorry too although it seemed like I gave you ample room to maneuver."
and that was it.
Had to get that off my chest.
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pretty typical longboard story right 9th?
Seal or Santa jetty?
Seal Beach has lots of grumpy old skool longboarders-priceless it was a tourist!
got a little stink eye from a guy with a big beard and a backwards hat riding a soft top today at Sano.
He looked at me like he wanted to say something so i just stood there and stared at him.
Staredown at the Sano Corall!
He looked away and paddled farther over to old mans
Good times....
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^
A couple weeks ago, an older surfer guy was giving me the stink eye at my regular spot. Not recognizing him, I stink eyed him back. Next day he sees me in the parking lot and compliments me on my session. Turns out he's got a Sup (probably a 12'12") and was in disbelief how short mine was. I told him thanks and next time to just say something in the water as I thought he was giving me the stink eye.
Ever notice how some people turn out to be friendly, but they're hesitant to say something voluntarily?
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SUSed Newport twice this week. ZERO attitude from anyone.
Got out in SC today. Lots of longboarders out. 2 SUPs. I got cheered and hooted for and at least two waves by some proners.
Then in the parking lot a longboarder says, "You were having a LOT of fun out there!"
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Back from the dead... because today I had some beef in the water.
One of my local spots. SB Jetty. Some what crowded but not too bad. Me and one other stand up guy and about 20 other prwners. I notice a family talking out in the water, all with southern accents. No other thought. Didn't even look at them really. just heard the accent.
5 min later...
I am on my board paddling back out and to the left toward the oil derrick after a fun long shoulder high right. Just then a large dude (maybe 6'4) on a huge long board catches the 3 foot wave-of-his life. I start paddling harder left to get past this guy on his wave. I made the decision to cross because that direction was the way out of the impact zone AND because I knew I could get across if I hustled.
He trims down the line- hauling ass without any checking... without any section turn or other interference to his speed. I am paddling all the way left now and he makes no attempt to carve around me or or trim back and bottom turn... no. Nothing- He just B-lines right behind me by about a foot or two. My board is no 90 degrees to the wave because I was paddling sideways to get away from this big guy... The waves apex catches my fins. My feet come loose- I go down as the wave passes. My board stays with me - I kick down my leash to keep it from getting too far and land on the bottom in waist deep water. I look up and this dude is 50 yards past standing looking at me. I knew it was close, but I also knew It hadn't made any contact. MY eyes were on the board the whole time.
He screams out in that southern accent i heard earlier: "Learn how to ride that thing or get the fuck out of here!".
STOP...
Now obviously I could have just gone back the other way instead of cross his line. I didn't because I should have been able to get across without interfering with his wave... I actually was across, but he just decided to take the maximum top line right on my heals. The wave was totally shoulder and not sectioning or closing out in any way, clean surface. I gave this shmuck 30 yards of clean space to get around me at least and still have him be able to stay on the wave with nothing more than a little mellow turn down to miss me...
I don't even say anything for a second. I was shocked... I just stare at him and shake my pointer finger, pissed. I get back on my board as he paddles up...
I yell down at him "Learn how to ride that thing and I don't care who the fuck you think are, you don't get to talk to anyone out here like that".
He yells "I'm the one getting waves you idiot. You want to take this to the parking lot!"
I say (a little quieter now) "I was trying to get away from you. Did the board even touch you? Whats your fucking problem?"
He paddles past and keeps talking shit under his breath...
I yell loud so everyone could just about here it... "I don't care what you read on the internet, you don't get to talk to people like that out here."
About 20 min later he comes up and apologizes.
"Sorry man I was out of line - the board was coming at me and it freaked me out dude."
I said: I am sorry too although it seemed like I gave you ample room to maneuver."
and that was it.
Had to get that off my chest.
I'm sorry, but by the way I understand the way you described it, and as a disclaimer I may be misinterpreting your story, sounds like you were at fault here. You should have taken one for the team, and instead of trying to hustle and get past in front of him, you should have paddled into the soup. He was on the wave, and its your responsibility to paddle behind him, not in front of him, even if that means eating it.
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Fellow San Diegans, I was out this AM at Beacons, prone surfing. I didn't see any SUPs out there even though the waves were fairly good. Is Beacons a "non-friendly"? I didn't bring the SUP just because I am under the weather and didn't feel like hiking up and down the hill with it, but maybe it was a good choice to not bring it?
Mike
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I need to practice my smile. People ask me if I'm pissed off all the time when I'm totally stoked and happy. But if I'm trying to focus or tired, my face doesn't show it.
So I can see how there can be perceived problems when none exist.
I think it's a fine line about taking one for the team. Depends on the crowd and who's behind you as well. It's really great when you're out with people you know and have a rough idea what they might do next. Trying to second guess strangers is a road to perdition.
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it is true-a simple smile goes a long way-i forget that sometimes even though im a real laid back hombre-seems the closer i surf to old mans the angrier i get-man that club pisses me off-gotta get over it....
surfed a fun spot in SD area today-got a few fun ones-hanging out with wife and son-great weather-fun waves-little tension in the water as there were lots of proners this time.
Got some free Soulsup stix from Big Ed.
petted the cat on the stairs up to the lot.
that made me smile...
managed to resist the waist line and Triglyceride count expanding Apple Fritter at VG's.
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I'm sorry, but by the way I understand the way you described it, and as a disclaimer I may be misinterpreting your story, sounds like you were at fault here. You should have taken one for the team, and instead of trying to hustle and get past in front of him, you should have paddled into the soup. He was on the wave, and its your responsibility to paddle behind him, not in front of him, even if that means eating it.
I disagree- If I had paddled in front of him by 10 feet while he is on a fast moving wave.... thats not cool.
From thirty feet or more away, the two parties are responsible to track away from each other. Period. He has to watch out for people in the water. Even on the far shoulder of his wave.
Setting aside for the moment that there was no impact or collision and this guys attitude and threats.
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its a total judgement call-almost every sesh i have a few of these.
I have this happen a lot-ive been trying to finish waves more instead of kicking out-this leaves me in the impact zone a lot for the guy(s) on the wave behind me-now at dpatch its not a huge deal-rarely big and critical but always crowded.
I get to my feet pretty quickly and you have those few seconds where youre trying to make the right call-who is on the wave-do i know him or her-do they typically go straight-do they do lots of cutbacks and shred-how competent on the wave and the board are they-theres a lot of variables, you have to just do your best and make the right call.
Sometimes it just cant be avoided-i typically always try to take the beating to leave the guy on the wave a nice clean face, but i will admit i have been that guy a few times-what are you gonna do?-i always try to make contact with the person and give a quick sheepish grin and sorry-that usually takes care of it.
Heres another issue-
Big day-lots of water moving around-lots of people-after a crash or a kickout many will take no notice that they took off on the one of the first waves of the set and just high tail it straight back out into the lineup-not cool-if you crash or kickout and NOTICE more waves coming-consider sitting and staying where you are for a few monents- high on your board with paddle in hand and learn how to ride up and over the white water or sit high on the board and shift your weight to the front-head down a little and let the whitewater wash over you. You wont die-you save a little energy-and the guy flying down the line on a nice one wont have to dodge you.
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I'm sorry, but by the way I understand the way you described it, and as a disclaimer I may be misinterpreting your story, sounds like you were at fault here. You should have taken one for the team, and instead of trying to hustle and get past in front of him, you should have paddled into the soup. He was on the wave, and its your responsibility to paddle behind him, not in front of him, even if that means eating it.
Nah, happens all the time, the guy in the wave is going much faster and has much more control of where he's going. No, you're not supposed to hose his wave for him, but you try to work together to make sure that doesn't happen. Just charging blindly towards someone who is making an effort to get out of your way is simply lame. Guy was being a dick.
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I need to practice my smile. People ask me if I'm pissed off all the time when I'm totally stoked and happy. But if I'm trying to focus or tired, my face doesn't show it.
So I can see how there can be perceived problems when none exist.
I think it's a fine line about taking one for the team. Depends on the crowd and who's behind you as well. It's really great when you're out with people you know and have a rough idea what they might do next. Trying to second guess strangers is a road to perdition.
Not true. If you're on the inside and someone is on a wave coming down the line, as the person on the inside you need to paddle into the foam behind them. They have the right of way.
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managed to resist the waist line and Triglyceride count expanding Apple Fritter at VG's.
Funny, I was unable to resist. Man that thing was good. I burned it off, or part of it anyway, down at 15th street. What a week+ of waves!
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Funny, every once in awhile, like has been mentioned here, I am ready to rip someone's head off once he or she opens his or her mouth... and then they say something nice... and it wasn't stinkeye for the previous half hour, it was curiosity.
Last time out at crowded spot a dude keeps looking at me... especially after I grab a set wave that I had been waiting for (for an hour) from him (I was in position... did not back paddle, but will usually let the proner have it... but I had been waiting forever)... on the paddle back out I expect him to unload on me.
Instead, "Nice wave and really well surfed. Were you out on Christmas Eve morning before it turned to sh*t? Yeah, I thought that was you... you are riding a different board today... oh a little narrower, cool. How long did it take for you to ride those small boards?... are your boards custom?" and on it went for a half hour... until I had to paddle away because I was tired of talking to him. Nice guy. I was super nice back to him. But I wasn't in a chatting mood.
SL
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Fellow San Diegans, I was out this AM at Beacons, prone surfing. I didn't see any SUPs out there even though the waves were fairly good. Is Beacons a "non-friendly"? I didn't bring the SUP just because I am under the weather and didn't feel like hiking up and down the hill with it, but maybe it was a good choice to not bring it?
Mike
Yeah, that neck of the woods isn't the friendliest. I've gotten looks but no comments at Grandview and have heard from others that the crusties that live there are a little silly. The sandbars at Ponto are starting to come back so it's usually easier just to go around there.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
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Caption needed:
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Surfing-%20December%202012/3A001F50-35F9-4021-BFD6-8659DFE3A693-470-000000910D3EF0C7.jpg)
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Lady says "Go back to Cardiff where you belong" Cardiff Ninja replies "I was just out there, the waves were yay high with 50 guys on the peak".
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Lady says-"hey wheres that brad pitt looking guy on that weird board?-send him over!"
Dudes like "yeah hes over there at bonies-why dont you go paddle over and look for him" :D
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Slater on the right is wondering how it all went wrong....
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Lady says-"hey wheres that brad pitt looking guy on that weird board?-send him over!"
Dudes like "yeah hes over there at bonies-why dont you go paddle over and look for him" :D
I thought that was Boludo!
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Followed up with:
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Surf%20Pictures%20Only/January-February/CTM_4448_zps9abef652.jpg)
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Is the guy in the pic a Zoner? I recognize him from the Reef?
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His name is Michael but I don't think he's on the zone.
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Quick afternoon session pre-Super Bowl at the spot below the house. Figured the crowd would be gone. Some are lingering, but not crowded per se... there are holes in the crowd and unridden waves. So I paddle over... find a hole and start to have a blast.
Take third wave of a long set.
Get clobbered on the inside closeout barrel... too much sand and not enough energy to taper. Grab gear, look outside and a guy is pitted deep.
Very good surfer... scrawny mid thirties shortboarder with an attitude... typical for this spot...
The wave is bending and its gonna taper... He is still pitted and racing the curtain.
Where am i at... can't ruin his line... can't go behind him... paddle like mad... get over the section about 10 feet in front of him... he doesn't need to adjust his line... stays pitted and gets spit.
Paddles back out. Is he stoked on the sick barrel that he was just spit out of? No, he is pissed because I might have ruined his line if I hadn't been careful and knew what I was doing (a polite rephrasing of his language).
Screaming... "get out of here... go to Old Man's... Get that boat out of here..." I paddle over to him (make that f*cking bull rush him) ... "YOU get out of here... YOU go to old mans... I never EVER f*cked with your line... what's your problem..."
He keeps yammering... I invade his space more... challenge him... then he says "F it... I am over it..."
I ask him, "You are over it... what does that even mean? You are going to stop SUP'ing? You aren't even making sense. But I am glad you are over it." He paddles to sit on the inside... not wanting anything to do with what he started.
Paddle back out to the crew I was hanging with, shortboarders, a longboarder, a water photog, all of them, "Geez, what was that guy's problem..."
A few sets later, I give away the left to a longboarder, and go right against the grain super late into a closeout... great spot for a backhand lip bash, or a rock and roll floater... and Mr. Scrawny is in my line... so I have to cruise over the back instead of hit the lip as Mr. Scrawny was in the landing area...
I just gave him a look... didn't say anything... didn't need to. He wouldn't look at me.
Then I get one of the tapers... pumping through the first section, pulling under the next section and his friend looks at me right in the face, drops in, pulls into the barrel, I pull in behind him... but I am afraid that I am going to hit him... and that it will be my fault (if you are on an SUP, its always your fault). VERY thick wave over the sandbar... VERY dangerous move. So I get out the doggy door and shoot my board in the other direction. Paddling back out FURIOUS... waiting for him. He goes home, then his friend Mr. Scrawny paddles in.
Furious... until I reflected... I just had a double cover up... and made it out the doggy door... and was in the pit with another dude... that was pretty cool.
I am not Mr. Scrawny... I have a different attitude.
Party on.
SL
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SL--with a few tweaks, you could probably get that entire story to work to the tune of "Hot Rod Lincoln".
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Right on Strand!
I have Zero tolerance for idiots in the line up,no foul & they start with the B/S...I aint hearing.
Congrats on making the Styks team.
They should be proud.
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SL--with a few tweaks, you could probably get that entire story to work to the tune of "Hot Rod Lincoln".
Take third wave of a long set.
Get clobbered on the inside closeout barrel... too much sand and not enough energy to taper. Grab gear, look outside and a guy is pitted deep.
Took the third wave of a big long set
Got clobbered inside--dang I got wet.
Too much sand and too worn out
Grabbed my gear, then saw the lout...
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Furious... until I reflected... I just had a double cover up... and made it out the doggy door... and was in the pit with another dude... that was pretty cool.
I am not Mr. Scrawny... I have a different attitude.
Party on.
SL, cool story, and attitude. You're the one that returned home stoked!
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Party on.
SL
Given enough time, things will get physical.
I'm not sure I'm willing to deal with the variables brought into play with your approach.
But that's just me.
-E
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Sometimes, confrontation is good.
They assume we won't defend, or dare I say, be aggressive towards them when provoked. I don't understand that mind set. Lets trade boards a**hole. If you can surf it, you can keep it.
:)
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Party on.
SL
Given enough time, things will get physical.
I'm not sure I'm willing to deal with the variables brought into play with your approach.
But that's just me.
-E
E,
I totally get that notion... it's just odds... and eventually, something will happen. OR, the confronting will be over by the time my number comes up. You never know... If and when that happens, I will try to get pictures. :)
SL
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I enjoy living vicariously through your adventures Strand Leper. It's like being the Angels in the Outfield watching the Boondock Saints.
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Surfing always had "X" number of idiots in the water at any given time. They are always pissed. They are just looking for someone else to blame for their sh*tty life. Seems like in the Hip-Hop 90's... it ramped up considerably and became expected.
There's a few entitled whiners out there .... no matter what you ride.
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I used to get supremely pissed at idiots in the line up, especially the angry aggros that treat every session as they are in the finals for the big money - which is the dominant attitude at Trestles where I used to prone surf. I even just flat out quit surfing for about six months after I witnessed a fight in the water there, no kidding fists of fury in waist deep water as the clowns tried to keep their footing on the reef. But then I tried stand up and can't begin to explain my appreciation for the aloha in the sport. The mature attitudes and friendly camaraderie of everyone I have met over the last eighteen months have reaffirmed my faith in the California surf culture. Hell I even like some of the butt boarders down at the Patch. I have a garage full of short and long boards that I don't really anticipate ever taking out again, my stoke is pegged to the right again after having nearly bottomed out.
That being said however I did get sucked into a confrontation with a proner and his two buddies at Church.
I was surfing all alone on the north end when they paddled out and sat on my rail. After a bunch of grumbling about Sups said loud enough for my benefit one guy flat out told me I wasn’t allowed there. I explained the rules on the Marine base vs. the state beaches on either side of us, using a little more colorful Marine language than I needed to having been on active duty for ten years, a good portion of it at Pendleton with 3/5 an infantry battalion. Things got heated until I asked the lead loud mouth how big his board was: he was on at least a 9-0 while I was on an 8-0 and that ended things pretty quickly when he refused to answer. I told him that shutting the fcuk up was a good move on his part. And of course I have been surfing Church since 1991 and I have never seen one of them there before or since. I wasn’t about to move, 3 on 1 seemed like a fair challenge, then some other Sup buddies paddled up from San-O and the scratchers eventually slunk off.
So to my point: No amount of spiked blood pressure and cortisol on our part will change the attitudes of the other guys and gals, whether it is sweepers vs. scratchers, or in the arena of politics or religion. People believe what they want to believe and will only see that evidence which confirms their bias, opinions, or prejudice. All we can do is be a reflection of the change we want to see in the world and hope that more self aware people take notice - kumbyaa. But most importantly, if you don't want to get tied up in the criminal court system and pay a lawyer 250$ an hour for two years, if you are lucky, followed by finding everything you own on the line when the guy you beat down on the beach sues you in civil court and you pay your lawyer for another two years, then don't even consider giving him that beat down that he so richly and decidedly deserves. Anyone who has been sued knows exactly what I’m talking about.
And the point I have been trying to reach - my sure fire tried and true method for dealing with these guys in and out of the water. I just pretend I don't speak English. I just smile great big and channel Latka Gravas, putting on a crazy halting Slavic, Portugese, Spanish accent butchering up words like a broken speak and spell. I've done this plenty of times and I get a good laugh as they paddle away exasperated and confused. It works in all kinds of situations EXCEPT with your spouse, my wife is wise to it now.
PS. Joind the hype, picking up my 7'8" King's Simmons this week, hot coat is drying at this very moment. My stoke meter is pegging out.
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^ great first post! welcome to the zone
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Surfing always had "X" number of idiots in the water at any given time. They are always pissed. They are just looking for someone else to blame for their sh*tty life. Seems like in the Hip-Hop 90's... it ramped up considerably and became expected.
There's a few entitled whiners out there .... no matter what you ride.
So true
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Damn standingdan, that's a helluva first post, well done!
And, Semper Fi.
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Great post StandinDan.
...I was wondering if it was only me that was thinking about lawsuits!
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I like the way you think, Dan. Over the past few years, I've taken to visibly smiling and laughing when someone gets upset at me in traffic. Not only does it do wonders for my own blood pressure, it's really fun to see them try to make sense of me. They're laying on the horn and flipping the bird and I'm getting as much of my face in the mirror as possible so they can see me laughing. Yeah, it probably infuriates them more that I'm not taking them seriously by responding in kind...and that makes me laugh more. Think I may have to adopt that approach to the lineup.
So many things in life more important to get worked up over...really hard to take someone seriously who wants to start a fight over waves and water. I like the Latka Gravas approach.
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Great post Dan,
And if someone is mad at Bulky, they were definitely mad before they got into the water.
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Killer post StandinDan. Defend our right to get radical. Those two scratchers had no idea who they were fucking around with.
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Maui has become pretty cool. I get some grief at Lanes, but that's about it. There are some crazy bastards out there though. I hears that last week someone told Cris P. that he couldn't' sup at lanes and more or less offered to fight him back at the beach.
I consider that complete proof of insanity. Chris is basically 200 plus pounds of pure muscle, and he's a wrestler. I figure the first thing the guy would have been thinking is "how did my foot get up my ass".
There's a very long list of people I would choose out before Chris--like 99 percent of the world.
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Wow!! Hard to believe someone would challenge Chris. He has youth, size and is very local. Born and raised on Maui and knows his way around the line-up. I was under the impression that lanes was where the SUP's need to go to keep the peace at Hookipa. Guess things must have changed and the surfers have now decided they need to have lanes to themselves as well. Curious as to the end result of that conflict with Chris. Pretty sure it would have never made it back to the beach.
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Latka StanDan
You just nailed it... SUP seems to appeal to folks with a pure appreciation of waves... I'm am very glad that you found SUP and a way back into the line-up.
Surfing is much to great a sport to leave in the hands of the aggro idiots. Kumbyaa them into irrelevance....
What I found in the bar business is... the same jerkoffs that start fights are the first ones to lawyer up and go for the gold. There is no end to what the world owes them.
I gotta say... every time I hear about surf punks hassling a member of the US Military it makes me crazy..... if anyone has priority in the line-up... it's the folks that protect and defend it! Thanks for your service StandinDan.
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Hej Dan,
having been living, working and traveling for 30 years in places where English is at best a 2nd language I have used that tactic many times, even in face of authority to get out of paying attention to silly rules. I can usually speak Swedish ( which I speak most of time now) in non Nordic country, or pretend I'm French anywhere else ( speak a smattering of French).
well it's good you guys stick to it. I gave up surfing in 1978 and started windsurfing past the surfers at the points in Malibu. moved on to kite surfing. along with that I ended up in Sweden..... now I no waves to fight for....
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You big guys are a bit lucky. I look like a cast member of the Big Bang Theory, try intimidating anyone out of wanting to kick your butt looking like that :P . Avoidance and mitigation has to work for me, although I can outrun most big guys outside Usain Bolt if it comes to that!
Mike
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Hej Dan,
having been living, working and traveling for 30 years in places where English is at best a 2nd language I have used that tactic many times, even in face of authority to get out of paying attention to silly rules. I can usually speak Swedish ( which I speak most of time now) in non Nordic country, or pretend I'm French anywhere else ( speak a smattering of French).
well it's good you guys stick to it. I gave up surfing in 1978 and started windsurfing past the surfers at the points in Malibu. moved on to kite surfing. along with that I ended up in Sweden..... now I no waves to fight for....
I have been doing that to pushy guys in bars for years, look them straight in the eyes and say "I'm sorry, but I don't speak English" and walk off.
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Last year a guy shot his longboard at me because he was unhappy at the "unfairness" of my SUP.
He was out again today on his 10'0 longboard, me on my 7'11 SUP.
After the 2 groms got out of the water it was just me and him about 200' south.
After a few min, he paddles over by me.
I'm expecting grief when he simply paddles by...never says a word.
Either:
1. He's made peace with SUP.
2. It was not crowded so he didn't feel as if his waves were threatened.
3. He saw my board was small and felt he had equity.
No matter what, it was peaceful out there. Peaceful vibes...small, terrible waves.
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I go to the water to forget about stress, all the "fighting" I do with customers, contractors etc... If someone has beef wtih me I just paddle on to the next open gap. It's so not worth lowering myself to that level and raising my bloodpressure. I have worked too hard to get where I am to risk it all by fighing with some child in the surf. I also know that if I do go "there" I will probably hospitalize the fucker from past experience. I need to keep the Irish temper in check.
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I totally get the "Just move along" vibe. When I am at any other spot, that is what I do... after I provide my perception of the situation to the hassler... unless I am vibed by a chick SUP'er... then it is a whole different story. ;)
But at this spot, if you back down... you are done... its over... forget it.
I worked pretty ****ing hard for the better part of two decades to be able to buy a house (and live) at that break... and some d*psh*t is not going to tell me that I can't play in the ocean there.
I also carry a very large umbrella policy.
As anyone who has surfed with me knows, I try to get along. I give away waves to proners. I don't take more than my share... (except one time when after taking three bombs in a row at my NW secret spot, Cardiff politely said, "The next one is mine, right." ... it was classic... me: "Oh geez... dude I am sorry... Creek on the brain.")
When someone hassles me, I give them my perception of the situation, but don't overdo it. When someone hassles my buddy, I let the hassler know that I have my buddy's back... politely... But if somebody tells me to get out of the water at that spot, it is not going to be smooth.
SL
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That scene in Fried Green Tomatoes, where Kathy Bates smashes the young gals VW that snakes her parking spot... yea it's like that.
I hope we meet someday Leper. I'd like to thank you for all the entertainment.
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My late friend Barney had a temper that he kept pretty well in check. One day we were getting ready to pull into a spot and two girls snaked it. Barney steps out and tells the girl he was going for that spot. She says "tough shit, it's mine now". So barney takes her antenna off and puts it through the windshield and says "enjoy it."
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Which begs the question Pono. What was Bedrock like growing up? ;D
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I wonder if guys like Laird, Kalama, Naish or even Kai ever run into these confrontational situations anymore when they are on the water . I remember a long time ago when a pro windsurfer dropped in on Laird at Peahi, Laird got on the ski, hooked a tow line to the back footstrap when the rider was in the water and towed the equipment about a mile out.
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Which begs the question Pono. What was Bedrock like growing up? ;D
It was tough, no place to sit except rocks. Our surfboards were just trees.
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Which begs the question Pono. What was Bedrock like growing up? ;D
It was tough, no place to sit except rocks. Our surfboards were just trees.
But I suspect the Bronto Steaks made it worth it.
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I wonder if guys like Laird, Kalama, Naish or even Kai ever run into these confrontational situations anymore when they are on the water . I remember a long time ago when a pro windsurfer dropped in on Laird at Peahi, Laird got on the ski, hooked a tow line to the back footstrap when the rider was in the water and towed the equipment about a mile out.
Actually last year Dave, his cousin Junya, and Chris P had some skinny haole tell them they needed to leave at Pier One. Needless to say it didn't go over very well. I can't imagine that, Seems absurd. Dave's always got a smile on his face, but he doesn't look like someone you'd screw with, Junya is a super nice guy and really funny, but he looks VERY scary, and Chris we've already described. What some dipshit fresh off the plane would be saying to those three guys except "good morning, I'll be happy to take any waves you don't want" is beyond me.
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(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Dec%20and%20Jan/4D9B4313-C115-48FD-86E4-ECD45B4FCEBF-386-00000032ACEA974C.jpg)
I make sure to sit my ass on this carving at the spot when checking out the surf.
The first attempt on the fence read, "NO SUI". I think the guy got spooked.
:)
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Where is that?
I make sure to sit my ass on this carving at the spot when checking out the surf.
The first attempt on the fence read, "NO SUI". I think the guy got spooked.
:)
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^
Cardiff, north of the reef.
Although I'm sure this has been graffiti'd at many surf spots all over the world.
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I hate arguing on the Internet.
On another forum (car related) there's an off-topic surf thread. I posted a bunch of SUP pics of the young guns ripping. Two guys immediately began grumbling.
They just don't see it. It's us against them. Stereotyping, assuming that every Supper wants "their" waves.
And you know, maybe that's all they've personally had to deal with in the water. Suppers that don't have etiquette, are wave hogs, and ride giant tankers.
When in Maui, it wasn't any different than Cardiff. I got dropped in on, there were greedy Suppers, and I just dealt with it.
I guess my problem is in an argument I can always see the other person side. But I get quite frustrated when they can't even fathom seeing it the way I see things. Because I do surf and I do standup paddle and I do enjoy both. But they think I shouldn't do it because they don't do it.
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(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Dec%20and%20Jan/4D9B4313-C115-48FD-86E4-ECD45B4FCEBF-386-00000032ACEA974C.jpg)
I make sure to sit my ass on this carving at the spot when checking out the surf.
The first attempt on the fence read, "NO SUI". I think the guy got spooked.
:)
It looks like adding an additional PER would be easy ;D
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How about W 8)
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Caption needed:
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Surfing-%20December%202012/3A001F50-35F9-4021-BFD6-8659DFE3A693-470-000000910D3EF0C7.jpg)
"I used to have my paddle THIS long...but now I have it way short and it's freakin' AWESOME!!"
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Caption needed:
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Surfing-%20December%202012/3A001F50-35F9-4021-BFD6-8659DFE3A693-470-000000910D3EF0C7.jpg)
"No, it's not my finger. Ask that guy over there."
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Caption needed:
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Surfing-%20December%202012/3A001F50-35F9-4021-BFD6-8659DFE3A693-470-000000910D3EF0C7.jpg)
Pull this and I'll send you another.
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Caption needed:
Dude on left: Hey man the waves are small only this big.
Dude on right: Dude you should have been here yesterday it was this big.
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no... that wasn't me...Strand Leper... he lives over there.
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First of all, that's a "chick" on th left.
So, she is clearly saying:
I'm looking for a battery sized friend abut this size.
To which, the helpful SUPer responds, "SHes over there!"
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No, I said the SUP shop is over there!
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Dude looks like a lady.
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Just wondering if anyone here practices "chopping wood" aka the "lumber smack" with his paddle in between sets.
I enjoy doing this, try to get the edge of the blade to cut into the water as fast as possible, aggro crawlers will also be more thoughtful in whether to bring the negativity to you.
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:D That's a new one. Along with acting loopy, or babbling in a foreign
language, guaranteed to keep the wound up ones at bay.
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Thought I would bring this thread back so I can vent a little...
Out this morning early. Some good shoulder to head high sets. Wind finally manageable... Once in a while a head + wave or two. 6am texture turns to 7am bump. I am taking the uncontested set waves from the far right. My usual practice at this spot.
BTW - I am really digging my new micro-sinker Rusty McKinnon 8'4x28x3.5!" - I am totally squared away on this board now. I have had it out in this type of bumpy surf now twice and this time I only fell off while not on a wave, maybe 3 times in almost 3 hours. I felt really happy about that in addition to the few good waves.
Long story short: I was hassled by two different kooks. Right after my first good wave, paddling back out prone through bad rip chop. I hear:
KOOK1: Hey paddleboarder guy. Hey paddleboard guy I know you can hear me! I need to talk to you!
(This is a river jetty mouth that I go to pretty regularly, usually when its walled at my normal beach break . I live on the water down the beach a half mile north. Anyway, I had just gone over some white water prone and had water in my face)... I don't even look back. He paddles hard to catch up to me with his buddy. He's a bald, kinda fat guy, on a super thick fun board. Late 40's early 50's.
KOOK1 again: You need to get out of here guy. You are unsafe.
ME: What the FUCK are you talking about?
KOOK1: You just cut that guys section and I watched you bail your board before that.
ME: What guy are you talking about...? and I had a hand on my board the entire time. I turtled it. Please just keep paddling. I don't need a lesson from you.
(the last two waves I went over were empty because we are now way inside. everyone is kicking out before they even got close to us...)
KOOK1: You DO need a lesson and you need to shut your fucking mouth dude. I am serious. " (Starts paddling away.)
ME: (LOUDLY) WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING TO DO? (MY ARMS OUTSTRETCHED WIDE) (I know, brilliant right....)
KOOK1: (under his breath, still paddling away) ...choke you out.
ME: (LOUDER STILL) YOU ANINT CHOKING SHIT OUT OLD MAN. FUCK OFF GEEZER! I WILL FUCKING DESTROY YOU!
He paddled away and after that I never saw him again.
------------------
2 hours later..
Super bumpy, About to leave. Getting tired. I am saving my energy for sets, so I am sitting down and here comes a set off in the distance. -I stand up, al-most-got-it - Almost got it... WOOOPS. I fall straight down, hand on my board. Slow controlled fall off the tail. I crouched down as I was falling.
A girl proner is paddling outside for the set at the same time 10 feet directly off the nose of my board... No foul, but still I say "sorry for the scare... its bumpy". She smiles a little smile at me and takes off on this nice right.
I am waiting again, treading water for a second.
ENTER KOOK2 (a woody allen looking guy in his mid to late thirties... paddling towards shore):
"Dude, why dont you go over there.. you almost speared that girl with your board, go practice somewhere else."
ME(PISSED): You have no idea what the fuck you are talking about guy .... I am not endangering anyone. I am sitting 30 yards away from the fucking peak and crowds.... I am already "Over there"...
KOOK2: Dude, You obviously don't do this very often- that board is too small for you. Go find another place to practice man. Your going to hurt someone. (he paddles away).
ME: GO EAT A DICK !!! I AM GOING TO HURT YOU!!!
Frustrated at that exchange, I paddle right out to the main peak and wait (standing). After letting a whole set go by and watching numerous longboarders drop-in on each other in partywave after partywave, I jump on a head high wall?, I see it curving around the 50 yard long sand bar out in front of the river mouth as I am taking off... bowling on both ends. I drop in right late, muscling the board into the wave from under water... bottom, top, SMACK, (not closing out) reverse all the way back, bottom top, bottom, top and then SMACK again..... ride whitewater all the way in. Best wave in recent memory.
THE END.
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The angry longboarder at Doheny who normally hassles me when it's just us two out was strangely silent yesterday when 5 billion folks were out.