We endlessly hear about SUP Kooks, SUP hate, etiquette, blah, blah, blah. We all hate the disrespect and the stink-eye. And we all see the novices make life hell for themselves and us.

So let's do something about it.

If we made a non-commercial video that combined surf tips with safety tips and surf etiquette, then we may change the habits of new and existing SUP surfers.

Here is what we could do with limited but sufficient funding (the retailers or makers might chip-in if we need extra funding):

1. Make a cracking movie and put it on a Web-site (e.g. www.supsurfsafely.com),
2. Strongly encourage the SUP surf board makers and retailers to give it to all new buyers on a USB or via the laminated card - see below,
3. Strongly encourage on-line SUP surf related sites (retailers, board makers, paddle makers) and on-line & print magazines to promote it
3. Push it on this forum (pin it to the top),
4. Create laminated cards with "Learn to SUP surf for free www.supsurfsafely.com" to be handed out freely by retailers. (We could all carry a pile in the car and leave them under the windshield-wipers of people who need it.)
5. Make it good enough (and use SEO) so that it would rank when people Googled "SUP surf"

The movie:

1. We should have a board made that has zero identifying marks so no other makers/retailers will feel it is promoting a brand. I will happily pay for that.

2. We ask Casso (or someone of the right age, weight, skill level and level of handsomeness) to get his mate Chappo to film him performing some basic SUP surf moves (more below). If they don't want to be immortal - the people who saved SUP surfing - then we can find someone else. Tha Dogman might scare people...

3. We also ask Chappo to film some popular surf breaks where kooks are doing the wrong thing.

4. The movie should combine "how to" surf tips, with safety tips, and etiquette tips (and examples of bad behaviour). We keep it positive, fun and educational so people watch it. The tips, safety message and etiquette sections should be interspersed so they watch it all.

How to surf tips:

We can't make it too long, and everyone can add or remove from this list, but it could cover:

1. How to paddle on to a wave (use some drone footage)
2. How to place your feet as the wave approaches
3. How to paddle for maximum power when the wave approaches
4. How to get out through breaking waves (incl. how to recognize rips - use some drone footage)

Safety tips:

1. How to assess whether you should paddle out - knowing the risks and understanding your limitations
2. How to control your board when you are in breaking waves (and how to stay clear of other surfers)
3. How to control your board when you are falling off

Etiquette tips:

1. Don't paddle to the head of the line-up
2. Paddle out, sit down, wait your turn - or go and find an empty wave
3. Don't drop in

Am I missing anything?

Nothing is going to change unless we do something. We won't eliminate the kooks, but we can thin their numbers.

Great idea, but I don't think you will change human nature?

If guys/girls gonna be dickheads a vid won't change anything

BTW, surfed with a bunch of SUPS yesterday, no worries, chatting away, enjoying the beaut Easter Day.

Sometimes I think we all need to stop taking it so bloody seriously and remember most of us are weekend surfers out for a bit of fun at best, those good enough to be pro's were in Torquay !!!!

shoodbegood said..
Great idea, but I don't think you will change human nature?

If guys/girls gonna be dickheads a vid won't change anything

BTW, surfed with a bunch of SUPS yesterday, no worries, chatting away, enjoying the beaut Easter Day.

Sometimes I think we all need to stop taking it so bloody seriously and remember most of us are weekend surfers out for a bit of fun at best, those good enough to be pro's were in Torquay !!!!

Totally agree. Just get out there and enjoy.

cantSUPenough said..

shoodbegood said..
Great idea, but I don't think you will change human nature?

If guys/girls gonna be dickheads a vid won't change anything

BTW, surfed with a bunch of SUPS yesterday, no worries, chatting away, enjoying the beaut Easter Day.

Sometimes I think we all need to stop taking it so bloody seriously and remember most of us are weekend surfers out for a bit of fun at best, those good enough to be pro's were in Torquay !!!!

The vid won't turn dickheads into saints, but it might educate kooks so they are less dangerous and annoying. I am sure that half the people who don't follow etiquette don't know there is an etiquette.

now isn't that the truth ...

maybe a youtube film clip.on etiquette.

Is the heat directed at SUPs due to the perception that most SUP riders have never normal surfed?

Therefore never paid their dues? (remeber I said perception, I know lots have!)

Just asking the question.

If this is the case, yes an etiquette guide would be helpful.

Fortunately we don't need a licence to go surfing......yet.

So etiquette is just that, it's voluntary, not law.