The number of SUP beginners in the surf relative to other craft is very low in most places. I think that all beginners regardless of craft should steer clear of some areas. Sadly this will never be the case and we just need to get on with it and try and be pro-active. Offer advice to those in need and suggest that they go elsewhere if practical to continue their learnings - eg a beachie just down the way with crappy banks. In Manly there are surf-schools that opperate on the main beach - they do a great job in trying to educate their students and position the surf school practicals out of the way of the good banks. Sadly though there are multiple outlets that rent boards out to all and sundry who do not really have any idea about what is happening and just paddle out anywhere and cause chaos. Not too mention all the summer tourists who roll into town and buy their piece of fiberglass and get straight into it with out the slightest idea about safety or etiquette. I stopped in at the Goldie last year on the way back from Nossa. There was a decent 4 foot swell running and I was stoked - headed to the Snapper for a look and ended up flagging the surf and having a yummy lunch at the Rainbow SLSC instead. Why? Well I counted over 160 people in the water - no SUP's - the number of drop-in's , burns and maddness was frightening. Not too mention everyone paddling for the shoulder instead of taking the wave on the head and ruining the person's ride. We sat there having lunch and could not believe that there weren't a high number of injuries as a result of what was going down. I was too scared to go out there - due to the maddness. Call me a whimp but I do not fancy a any type of fibergalss coming at me from an out of control muppet or someone who should know better. I just think that we all need to look out for each other a bit more regardless of the craft and offer help to those that need it and tell others who should know better to pull their heads in. Its time the blame game stopped and pro-active action was taken. The solution is not to ban - the ocean is for all people to enjoy. It should be about trying to get everyone to work together in a safe and fun environment.
. The main reason I had a go was because no-one else was out there apart from a mate that went with me, who has surfed/sup'd for a few years and had no probs with catching waves in the conditions. 
What drives me insane is when I paddle over to an unoccupied peak and catch a couple of nice waves. I've surfed a long time and quite often can make the wave look better than it is by using the SUP's ability to enter into waves early. It usually takes about 10 minutes then a dozen or so Mal riders will paddle over to the shoulder and start the drop in on the SUP rider routine, go right on lefts, etc
. I usually paddle away to the next peak and let them have it for ten minutes or so. They realise they can't make it, follow me again and I go back to the original peak
. it's a process that I might have to do three or four times in a two to three hour surf session, and drives me crazy on small days. Fortunately when it's bigger those guys aren't out.
. I've definitely put the mozz on myself now
!
? I'm sure thinking about a wet Marissa.
What drives me insane is when I paddle over to an unoccupied peak and catch a couple of nice waves. I've surfed a long time and quite often can make the wave look better than it is by using the SUP's ability to enter into waves early. It usually takes about 10 minutes then a dozen or so Mal riders will paddle over to the shoulder and start the drop in on the SUP rider routine, go right on lefts, etc. I usually paddle away to the next peak and let them have it for ten minutes or so. They realise they can't make it, follow me again and I go back to the original peak. it's a process that I might have to do three or four times in a two to three hour surf session, and drives me crazy on small days. Fortunately when it's bigger those guys aren't out.. I've definitely put the mozz on myself now!
. The main reason I had a go was because no-one else was out there apart from a mate that went with me, who has surfed/sup'd for a few years and had no probs with catching waves in the conditions. 
