Why the zone has gone south

[stoneaxe]

The conversations on here could have happened over cucumber sandwiches and tea with your grandmother compared to the conversations on my local FB page. I'm actually pretty shocked at the vitriol. I'll stick to the local FB gardening page...less anger there....

[supthecreek]

I have met literally 100's of Zoners in my travels.
We embrace like old friends..... and cyber buddies become real friends!

The warmth, generosity and hospitality I have experienced from so many Zoners is truly amazing.

I always appreciate when Zoners contact me if they are near Cape Cod!

Heck... I've even met Zoner's that live right near me, that I had never run into before 

[stoneaxe]

Some of my best friends are zoners…...

[Badger]

Nearly all the people I surf with I met on the Zone. We've had a number of Zoner meetups at various places over the years and I never have to drive far.

[WhatsSUP]

I was stoked beyond belief several years ago when I first discovered this forum.....I was new to the sport and found countless posts containing tips and tricks, videos and specific guidance/instruction on how to improve.  Over time this has changed with fewer and fewer posts/videos has (to me) been disappointing.  Since I come here looking for the aforementioned I tend to focus on about 1/4th of the nearly two dozen "General Category" areas nowadays.

I'll continue to promote, comment and encourage more Sup surf vid's and instruction as well as board reviews. Also, novice and beginners should be encouraged and feel comfortable in posting content (especially videos) for review and advice.  There continues to be a wealth of knowledge and expertise that many of us could benefit regardless of ability.

As for topics on politics, flatwater, foiling, racing, and a few others I'll pass....but that's me. I know there are many here who feel strongly on just these topics and enjoy a good debate which is fine and I can respect that. To each his own.

Here's to Aretha and R.E.S.P.E.C.T  ...... and for keeping the aloha spirit at the forefront of our thoughts and fingers.   
 

[SlatchJim]

I blame Fortnite.

 

The sport has matured, the meal has been eaten, and now we're all sitting around the table wondering if we're going to do this SUP thing for the rest of our lives or jump on another emerging "next big thing."  I enjoy the Zone for the introductions it's made, the surf banter, videos and photos, the documentation of our ever changing coastlines, and the little things that exist on the periphery of the sport.  The pace has slowed, but the value is still here. 

Having prone surfed from 13 to 47ish, SUP allowed me more access, more wave time, and less pain.  I'll probably be a participant until I can't do it anymore.  The Zone gives me a kind of "internet anchor" that I can come to and see what's up with my chosen sport.  The Zone is not perfect, and if it was, I probably wouldn't be allowed in.  Long live the Zone.

[surf4food]

You are kind of being your own example.

[PonoBill]

I belong to or spend time in numerous forums that support my unmanaged ADD--motorcycles, race cars, electric bikes and cars, airstreams, welding and machining, additive manufacturing, laser cutting, blah, blah. By comparison, the zone is a safe harbor. Little criticism, lots of value, minimal stupidity, rare trolling. Facebook is steady-state hideous but if you'd like to experience the depth humanity can sink to, spend a bit of time on the sportbike forums. As Bob said, cucumber sandwiches. I've had some heated discussions here, but nothing like the mindless ranting elsewhere.

[pdxmike]

I think it's just because Standup paddling is getting old and chatting is all that's left for some people. The interesting topics are all talked out and there isn't anything more to add. The fad is over. It was great when everyone was learning together but now there are a lot less people entering the sport. Board evolution has slowed to a stop. The resource of new ideas has been used up.

Foiling is the new thing but it is very limited and not many will take it up. At least nowhere near the numbers that SUP had. It certainly gets my attention though.

Yes, I agree. There is also now completion locally from FB forums. Many areas now have FB groups where people can share views and information, and this attracts many newbies. Why speak with someone hundreds or thousands of miles away when you can contact someone just 20mins away?

Yes.  My area has a great facebook SUP group page.  And it's tied in directly with meeting people and paddling together.  Most of what people post are photos of people paddling, or announcing events (ranging from formal ones like demos or races to "Anyone want to join me tonight at 6 at the lake for a paddle?". 


I'd guess more than half the people on it are women.  Social paddling events around here (moonlight paddles, witches' paddles (got international press for that one) etc. have really taken off here, probably directly due to their being an easy way for people to connect.  Downwinding paddles are big.  Fewer people race, although there are still some great local races.


Occasionally there are questions about gear (usual answer is to go talk to Bob at Gorge Performance) or things like safety, board storage, etc. (I sometimes give people links to discussions here).   

FB can be horrible (people sitting in their basements ranting about politics with strangers) but it can also bring people together with the local activity groups.  A few in the local group here post on the zone, and a few more may read it.   

[Weasels wake]

Is it just me, or does this thread just add to the very thing that the OP of this thread is complaining about?
Kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  If you don't like it OP, why did you add to it?

[Dusk Patrol]

About fifteen years ago I saw, for the first time, a guy surfing a stand up board, with a paddle in his hands. It was on Oahu and I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever.  At that time I had kind of heard that it was something Hawaiians had previously done, in earlier times. I didn’t know, but it sounded good.  The whole idea really motivated me. Total stoke.

Then I gradually became aware of the antagonism toward SUP surfers, the restrictions placed on them, etc... All too bad… but that crap doesn’t diminish the awesomeness of the sport (including just creeking along in some beautiful place).

So for whatever crazy reasons, SUP is not yet universally appreciated.  Whatever bitching and moaning  may occur, the Zone still is a place with a shared awareness and appreciation of this niche thing, which is awesome in itself. 

[surfercook]

Yo, PDLSFR....It's all good, man! The Zone is one of THE coolest forums around (And I've been on quite a few at this late stage in my life), but there will always be a few uncools. One thing I've learned after all these yrs on forums and fb is to walk away. I'm at the point where online engagements and confrontations are just not worth my trouble, aggravation, and time. Gotta stick w/the positive.

The Zone has been a source of great inspiration, information, and a virtual meeting place for water enthusiasts like myself. One thing about user names is that they are easy to hide behind and I'm always trying to see the real person behind that user name.

True sup has peaked and it's pretty much all been done. But hey, it's our passion so we keep on keepin' on. Sure is more fun than Parcheesi. Our place here in cyberspace is quite special and has so much to offer w/all the different available categories. Lately since my decision to dive head first into foil sup I'm spending alot of time over there. So lucky me for all that help is available from more experienced members.

It's been great actually meeting up w/Zoners in real life and experiencing all they have to offer. I try and pay it forward whenever possible to keep the stoke alive.

So, PDLSFR, try to keep it possible and keep the stoke alive....and if ur ever in NJ near Long Beach Island.....

[Admin]

"Anyone want to join me tonight at 6 at the lake for a paddle?"

Be careful, Mike!  Sounds harmless but that is very likely a Russian troll.  Next time we see you you could be muttering, "truth is not truth" and wearing a Be Best T shirt. 

[pdxmike]

"Anyone want to join me tonight at 6 at the lake for a paddle?"

Be careful, Mike!  Sounds harmless but that is very likely a Russian troll.  Next time we see you you could be muttering, "truth is not truth" and wearing a Be Best T shirt.

OMG!  Now that you said that, I went back and read their exact, numerous posts.  I'd thought they were talking about putting in at 6, but their exact words were "PUTIN TONIGHT!"


Plus they've got to be Russians.  I saw one getting into his car after his paddle and six people climbed out of his wetsuit, each one smaller than the last.

[Admin]

"Anyone want to join me tonight at 6 at the lake for a paddle?"

Be careful, Mike!  Sounds harmless but that is very likely a Russian troll.  Next time we see you you could be muttering, "truth is not truth" and wearing a Be Best T shirt.

OMG!  Now that you said that, I went back and read their exact, numerous posts.  I'd thought they were talking about putting in at 6, but their exact words were "PUTIN TONIGHT!"

I had a similar thing happen to me.  I was searching for SUP shaping tools and carelessly queried pro sanders.  Now I find myself targeted by both socialists and smoky eyed spokesperson interests.  It is a time for great caution.