Last Monday on the long weekend I got to surf one of my favourite beach breaks on Phillip Island in some really nice surf.

This time I did something different, instead of SUP Surfing I went out on a normal surfboard.

Since 2008 I have pretty much been SUP surfing 90% of the time and only recently been getting out a bit more on my surfboard.

So why this post? (after one week it's still on my mind, and)...

What do you get on Victorian beach break with about 6 people on SUP's and about 6-10 surfers? .... The worst vibe on the water I have seen in years!

I was so disappointed to see the lack of sharing waves from the guys who had the big advantage, very few waves from the decent sets were let go by the SUPs (generally missed from attempted SUP paddle ins)

Sitting in the water with the Surfers I got first hand feedback on how they felt! It was colourful and not positive!!!

The main reason of this post is not to blame or have a go at any individuals, because if I took an honest look at myself in the past I would be guilty of the above....

...it is about the poor negative attitude that people have against SUPpers in the surf and we are actually contributing to this vibe by the way we spend our time in the surf with others.

I have to admit this is not a typical observations, normally there are one or two SUPpers in the the line up and it all seems to work well.

If you have an even mix of guys on Sups / surfboards etc... it still should work. Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be on Maui south-shore where the guys on SUPs outnumber the surfers... the vibe in the water was awesome, with a lot of respect for everyone and everyone seemed to get a fair go!

Just a couple of other observations.... keep an eye out when riding waves and be able to surf around people I saw a couple guys nearly got hit and then at the end of my session I nearly got hit front-on by a SUP... lastly, if you are learning or trying out a much less stable SUP and you keep falling off because you can't balance on the SUP you should think of others and don't paddle out in a crowded line-up!

Cheers
Rick

Prefer not to surf with other SUPs unless there are no shortboarders out - don't mind with Mals though

Common sense says you don't paddle out past everyone and hog waves.

Better to sit closer to shore and get medium ones - always sit down when waiting and don't drop in. Helps to say hello as well.

As soon as there is more than one SUP the vibe changes completely I reckon.

Don't know what's wrong with paddling 1km away from the pack.

Reflex Films said...

i like these guys..



classic!

Awesome, funny as! Thanks for posting.

To be honest that clip brings back memories of what it was like growing up at my local back then Trigg Point, it was carnage every day.

Back to the thread, I am one who would rather go find a wave up the beach away from the pack. Wave quality may be worse but I am surfing to have fun not to compete with all the agro heads.

Unfortunately there is a small hardcore group of SUPers who think they own some of the breaks on Phillip Island. I surf the island a fair bit and some of the behaviour I've seen does not promote sup in a good light. So much so that after one incident I witnessed I reported it to the police and have written to the local council voicing my concerns.

SUPers really are their own enemy at times. I really can't understand why when you've got miles and miles of beach SUPers are paddling out to crowded breaks. I don't sup the island at all, it's just not worth the agro.

Reflex, I had to share the video with my FB friends, one of my likes is Swellnet and they posted it on their FB page... some funny comments for anyone who is interested

Petemc, didn't realise it has gotten that bad on the Island!

Supping yesterday had a 8' Mako shark go double hieght airborne just out the back, then another Mako do the same thing then a Bronze whaler come 10mtrs away for a look. Thinned out the short boarders and some sups not much traffic after that! No agrow no Hogs Uummmm! One way to get a clean break. (I was not the only one that saw the sharks) sharing the moment!

rick77 said...

Last Monday on the long weekend I got to surf one of my favourite beach breaks on Phillip Island in some really nice surf.

This time I did something different, instead of SUP Surfing I went out on a normal surfboard.

Since 2008 I have pretty much been SUP surfing 90% of the time and only recently been getting out a bit more on my surfboard.

So why this post? (after one week it's still on my mind, and)...

What do you get on Victorian beach break with about 6 people on SUP's and about 6-10 surfers? .... The worst vibe on the water I have seen in years!

I was so disappointed to see the lack of sharing waves from the guys who had the big advantage, very few waves from the decent sets were let go by the SUPs (generally missed from attempted SUP paddle ins)

Sitting in the water with the Surfers I got first hand feedback on how they felt! It was colourful and not positive!!!

The main reason of this post is not to blame or have a go at any individuals, because if I took an honest look at myself in the past I would be guilty of the above....

...it is about the poor negative attitude that people have against SUPpers in the surf and we are actually contributing to this vibe by the way we spend our time in the surf with others.

I have to admit this is not a typical observations, normally there are one or two SUPpers in the the line up and it all seems to work well.

If you have an even mix of guys on Sups / surfboards etc... it still should work. Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be on Maui south-shore where the guys on SUPs outnumber the surfers... the vibe in the water was awesome, with a lot of respect for everyone and everyone seemed to get a fair go!

Just a couple of other observations.... keep an eye out when riding waves and be able to surf around people I saw a couple guys nearly got hit and then at the end of my session I nearly got hit front-on by a SUP... lastly, if you are learning or trying out a much less stable SUP and you keep falling off because you can't balance on the SUP you should think of others and don't paddle out in a crowded line-up!

Cheers
Rick

what bank was that at rick?

You must have walked straight past the locals only sign on the fence

rick77 said...

SandS, it was the left at Anzacs,

oh yeah , has been good for sup only usually , had it to myself a few times because the right is always better for short boards and mals

petemc said.
I surf the island a fair bit and some of the behaviour I've seen does not promote sup in a good light. So much so that after one incident I witnessed I reported it to the police and have written to the local council voicing my concerns.

Bit extreme unless it was violent, we don't want sup surfing banned.
couldn't you verbalise your concerns to the sup guys.

micksmith said...

Bit extreme unless it was violent, we don't want sup surfing banned.
couldn't you verbalise your concerns to the sup guys.

You can't talk to some,waist of time and can put oneself in danger.

CMC said...

Crash Landing said...

Gassa said...

Imo if you cant stand up paddle out and have to go to your knees to get out to the break then you shouldnt be out amongst the people, just go up the beach and practice for the next ten year till you learn

Gassa, this is someone catching waves on their knees then poping up and annoyingly shreding the wave!

Don't really see the problem with this to be honest. If their board is too small to stand on in bumpy conditions so they paddle in on their knees and then ride the wave well maybe the annoyance comes from being frustrated yourself by not being able to stand to paddle and missing lots of waves. Is SUP surfing about paddling in the break or riding waves???

I often paddle in to waves prone, it's a challenge to paddle in, stand up, grab the paddle the right way and use it to do a bottom turn all in one smooth motion. Maybe that's just being a kook as well.

Firstly cmc - just so that you dont start thinking I either like or agree with anything you say I must confirm that YES you are a kook .

Now - as much as it pains me to say so, I completely agree with you.(DAMN IT ALL) As long as people are respectful and safe in the surf I couldn't care less how they paddle out or how they paddle into waves. In some conditions I still knee or prone paddle out because its easier on my old carcass and it's common knowledge that I am still a charger (yeah right)
Jeezus - not too many years ago we were all laughing at and with each other whilst learning to sup and it was fun to be out with others enjoying the stoke of this new activity. Why now do we seem to be so elitist and full of ourselves and so critical of newcomers to the sport - we seriously need to work together to be accepted and not against each other IMHO

Makaha said...

billboard said...
Why now do we seem to be so elitist and full of ourselves and so critical of newcomers to the sport -

Where do you fit in here billbored?

oh well said btw,PT please quote me again I love it

I'm just "full of it" - but you alteady knew that hey.

Makaha said...

The eastcoast must be different,here in the west its all clam and relaxed.
Billboard your only full of good advice so that's a good thing.

Yep chilled in here let me tell ya