Maybe we are spoilt over here in the west with crowds on the SUPs but I am pretty sure I will give it away if I have to SUP with that many people in the water.

I remember how much we as surfers hated goat boaters a few years ago and I can see a lot of surfers hatin us SUPers if we arnt carefull.
90% of the goat boaters were silly middle aged blokes who had no idea on surf ettiquete and just made themselves a danger in the water. I hope history doesnt repeat itself.

I guess its up to us SUPers with a surfing backround to try and make sure the new guys without the history understand the rules or we all be classed as fools.

Worrier.

hey worrier, very good point you've raised there:


"I remember how much we as surfers hated goat boaters a few years ago and I can see a lot of surfers hatin us SUPers if we arnt carefull.
90% of the goat boaters were silly middle aged blokes who had no idea on surf ettiquete and just made themselves a danger in the water. I hope history doesnt repeat itself."

But it's not always the kooks that spoil things....

Unfortunately for the last few days some visiting "big name" - famous hawaiians surfers - have been SUPping Raglan points, riding in a pack and completey dominating, taking over the line-up.

I have made the effort to SUP the less accessable waves here in Raglan ( there are alot of un-ridden waves to be found here ) - if I do ride the points or beaches with a surfer crew out I show respect to the other surfers - picking off the remains & sneaker-set waves, riding the less crowded spots... I still cop negativity from the narrow minded guys now & then but I try not to feed the hate by being greedy or disrespectfull.

These visitors have created alot of negativity against SUP with the local surfer community in just a few days of being here.

So it's not only the "silly middle aged blokes" who can do harm, it
can be experienced "legends of surfing" being greedy & thoughtless too

having been to NZ recently for a holiday I saw so many SUP waves away from the crowds and big name places. Some of those black sand beaches on the NW coast must be a lot of fun.
W

Worrier, it is something we all need to be mindfull of. I cetainly don't want sup to be classed in the mould of a goat boaters

Being a Goatboater for 20 years thought I would throw my 2 c in (I have ridden shortboards at a decent standard for 35 years as well).

The comments so far are spot on re the perception of 'goatboats' and being one of a few hundred guys who could actually ride one well, made it difficult. My own attitude was one that I see mirrored by the 'ettiquette rules' on this site. You are on a craft that is easier to catch waves on, so why be a hog cause you are gonna get heaps anyway. Being a regular at places like DY point, Fairy Bower/Winki and the like, meant I knew all the local crew anyway and showed appropriate repect. I even surfed large Pipe on a ski with guys like Johnny Boy Gomes and the heavies of the time in the water and had no problem. I kept a low profile and above all didn't drop in! The following year the World waveski Titles were held in Hawaii (86) and a lot of the guys made real arses of themselves. I heard that from that time goaties were hated there.

There other type of goatie was the beginner or person not from a surf background with no idea of the 'rules'. These were the majority of riders unfortunately. They generally caused havoc, but most surfers just steared clear of em. Good education is the key here and that means shops, other riders and great sites like this play a part.

The worst guys at being hogs will always be the competent riders unfortunately and longboarders are now the biggest offenders (if you ride a shortboard that is). Not all, but a minority take advantage of their craft and take over the break. Surf the Bower on a medium sized day and you will see what I mean. Now those guys are getting jacked off with the SUPs I am told...ahh the irony.

The bottom line is that hogs will be hogs no matter what their craft, it is just a matter of how easy it is for them to be one. SUPs already have a bit of a reputation here on the northern beaches for being a bit of a pain from what I hear from my surfing mates but nothing like the mid 80s goatie mayhem...yet.

My intention is to steer well clear of crowds but gee, when the Bower is going off, that could be difficult.

I remember being out at Isolated's quite a few times when Dennis Lillee would show up on his goat boat. He was pretty ignorant early on but got better, didn't have the guts to tell him though.

The only bad surf behaviour I have seen in recent years has been from the competition level longboarders. These guys are all older and generally exceptionally good surfers.

At best they just catch all the best set waves. At worst they'll grab all the in between waves and drop in on anyone in their way. I guess they're practicing psych out moves for competitions.

BTW. All during the 70's and early 80's there was an old guy at the Pines known as Peg Leg (because he was missing a leg from mid-thigh). The used to paddle around on a surf ski and go fishhing. He would drop his crutch off with a float and grab a few waves from way outside and run over all the short boarders all the way to the inside. He was a total arsehole but it was great to watch him steaming through from miles outside. He would retrieve his crutch then lug his board up onto the roof of his old Falcon.

I remember seeing you ride a ski too, Christo. Wow, amazing to watch. Totally different game to the usual old fart you normally see on them.

Are you riding a SUP now?

Ignorance will ride any surfcraft,goatboat,eskie lid,longboard,shortboard,kneeboard,and unfortunatley SUP,
Robbo

worrier said...

WOW a real live goaty.Who woulda thought there were any left.
I only had the pleasure of surfin with one who knew what was goin on and could handle his craft.
He was an Aussie guy who lived above NUSA DUA in Bali for a while back in the 80s.
Had a yarn with him out in the surf on a coupla trips and he was a typical Aussie.
He would get some great waves and not hog em all as well.

His name John?

If so-VERY interesting character.

worrier said...

WOW a real live goaty.Who woulda thought there were any left.
I only had the pleasure of surfin with one who knew what was goin on and could handle his craft.
He was an Aussie guy who lived above NUSA DUA in Bali for a while back in the 80s.
Had a yarn with him out in the surf on a coupla trips and he was a typical Aussie.
He would get some great waves and not hog em all as well.
Everyone seems to be of the same opinion that there are a few "Aholes" on any water craft that spoil it for everyone.
Hey did ya know that Dennis Lillie was a great cricketer but one of those "silly old buggers without a clue" on a goat boat.
True story.
W

And had a block of land down Augusta and used to holiday there a lot

I seem to remember his name was John. Memory is a bit hazy but I think he was some kind of shrink/motivational guru
W

boardbumps said...

Hey Christo how are you going? Back into surfing, good to hear.
Rod

Hi Rod, small world. Yeah had a few years riding mtn bikes, not too much surfing, keen as, on these SUPs. Your boards look sweet!!

Thanks again Andrew for the help getting the right board, it is funny being a beginner all over again.

Id love to hava look at his fin set-up(bloke in clip)and how cool is the little girl,shes goin off,
Robbo

ianr64 said...

Id love to hava look at his fin set-up(bloke in clip)and how cool is the little girl,shes goin off,
Robbo

Those fins would be small with only a 4.5 or 5" rear to slide like that