Still shocked from havin my yacht trashed Tuesday at Spring Cove I went for a SUP Manly. I paddled out the southern corner of Manly heading out Fairy Bower. I turned to catch a wave and the lifeguard got on the blower and warned me I was in a flaged area. Fair call, I was still in shock, new to the beach and had not realised the guy I thought was on a fibreglass board was riding a foamy. I DID NOT catch the wave.

So coming back from the Bower I am well at the northern end of the flags and I cop another blasting. No "please" move north, but total abuse and a threat of a fine. So before I had even made a few feet I flicked off. The thing that got me is that I gauged where it was fine to take off by a prone surfer who was inside of me, this time obviously on a fibreglass board. I.E, he was even closer the flags and had probably been there for a while. Although the lifeguard totally ignored his existance, I told him he should move as well.

Yes, I have had the month from hell. I turned into psycho SUP. I wanted to have a serious talk to the lifeguard about why he needed to take his atittude out on me and that I did. Turned out he was some blond haired posser. I was honestly that pissed I could have done him with a bit of lipstick and buggered him. Albeit, while I am really not gay maybe he might have enjoyed a good reaming? Luckily for all I could not find the stairs to his fortified position.

So why his atittude toward SUPs? Don't get me wrong, I have always been on excellent terms with the senior lifeguards back home. The fact I do my best to surf responsibly and have done a few touch and go night rescues helps. So much for the "Snowy" spirit I was hoping to find at Manly!

I feel for ya surfershaneA

Start at the 3:30 min mark - "Clubby wankers".

Agree, they have a chip on their shoulders, but at the same time I can see why.

I'm a clubby, so see some of the crazy antics paid lifeguards have to deal with day-to-day. It's safe to say that constantly dealing with people that seem hell bent on killing themselves or others, takes it's toll on them to the point that their people skills leave little to be desired.

Don't take it too personally. As long as you stay well clear of the flags, Manly is a pretty good spot to SUP.

Hey Guys, seeming how the way I write has such a profound effect on some people that they want a bit of me, I am seriously thinking of backing off surfing and doing a credible creative writting/journalism course. While some others are delusional about writting a novel, I did well in a Law Degree at a reputable uni, so for me it might be reality. There is no way you can pass such a degree without an excellent grasp of English. (OK, my spelling sucks!).

On the bright side, although I bummed out, at least I did not get last in my first heat of the Snowy. Likewise, the boardshorts in my competitor's bag were a perfect fit. Maybe there is roon for thing to get better yet?

Scotty88 said...

Perhaps you've been spending too much time on that ship of yours and have picked up a dose of scurvy. Get the vitamin C into ya.

I'll pay that. I am kinda thinking all the hardship and solitude has also been turning me into a nutter recluse, not that I wasn't best part mad anyay. Half the idea of doing a few comps is to get some social contact.

But Windena Westerly with your superforlous long blonde hair, oh how you have inspired me!

Scotty88 said...

Inspired you to do what ? Feel you need a 'change' ?

Inspirstion wise maybe I don't want to say much more than some of these pretty boy long blonde hair types share latent habits with Peter Drouyn AKA Westerly. He's undergone a serious change!

Personally, I have been shipwreaked in an awesome boat yard in a top position. I am surrounded by classic boats some designed by L Francis Herreshoff who also drafted my yacht. In the long-run I have no doubt this will inspire me to get my old girl back to Bristol condition.