Unfortunately, as has been mentioned here before, you can't educate everyone. Whilst there are plenty of thoughtful SUPpers and learner SUPers there is always going to be this type of person around.
All you can do is do the right thing yourself and try and spread the word around about being thoughtful .
It has happened before, Longboard resurgence in the 80's and will probably happen again.
I Share your concerns.
ET.

Strange, I have been surfing Manly on a shortboard and SUP over the last few days of swell. While this is where you would expect the beginner SUPs to congregate, everyone was under control with most ripping. I had a top little SUP in the southern corner yesterday and even got compliments from short boarders.

Oh, for those still gaining compency, please don't come around when it is out of your league and ruin it for everyone. The small days at Manly are perfect for getting your act togsther.

Garethg said..


Been surfing Collaroy, the "Kick" & Long Reef the last few days, and there were a bunch (like 12-15) guys I haven't seen before who were literally out of control, riding big SUP's and scaring most of the people in the line up.

I know people have to learn somewhere, but a lot of these guys kept paddling to the inside and then getting wiped out by clean up sets. Really scary to watch.

I asked guy if he surfed on a SUP before, and he said, " NO" first time... Not good for the rest of us who try to spread the SUP love...

The one saving grace is that most of them can't get out in anything more than two foot and usually can't catch waves, they are nuisance value. Their main danger is to themselves and anyone paddling out behind them, so don't!!! If you're silly enough to do that then..........? I just feel sorry fo kids that don't know any better. As far as I'm concerned the sooner the kooks hurt themselves the better( tell them there's a really good place called 'Ours' that they should try, with super friendly locals that love it when you drop in!! Maybe we could hire Sunny Garcia to teach them surf ettiquette??? (Only Joking.)

Sorry to anyone that I upset!! I purposely used spots where short boarders are very, very aggressive and the location extremely dangerous. I normally avoid using the word kook because when I'm out the back and fall in for no reason I know that's what I look like! In 4 years of supping I've managed to not hit anyone yet (Touch wood!!!!). It will happen, I'm sure crowds and plain lack of commonsense will ensure that. In 45 years of surfing I have hit heaps of people, some very much on purpose!! I apologise to all of those people.

All suppers need to try and give guys with little or no experience advice. Easier said than done I know. Sunny Garcia went about it the wrong way and that example was mean't to be an ironic suggestion about the way it should'nt be done! You would hope that at some stage common sense will come back into fashion, but as we all know, common sense isn't very common I've been hit by boogie boarders, long boarders, short boarders, body surfers, kids, geriatrics, females and hot show offs, it's sport and it happens. If anybody has a fool proof method except for surfing by yourself at a secluded spot then please pass on the secret. For now I think friendly, enthusiastic communication is the best idea. Again sorry about my previous post on this subject it was a feeble attempt at humour.

E T said..

Who are you calling a Geriatric, Leroy?
ET.

Definitely not you ET , please don't point your finger at me!! You've got to be over 75 ( or feel like it, me!!!)to surf at OG.