Came back a few days ago from a little work trip to a nice place. I had the privilege to surf most days with a guy that is a just retired pro boxer, three time olympian and nuts about his new found passion of surfing.

Boxer doesnt rip at all yet, everyday though he was the best surfer in the water. Not because he drowned us all with his spray but because he wouldnt let us leave, hooted every wave and made us go out in complete crap just so he didnt miss out. His no bull**** approach to life with non paralleled self confidence also had a calming effect on the crowd. Go figure.

It made me think of what is good surfing?

- First and foremost it is having fun, the guy having the most of it is ripping.

- Secondly though, it is about flow. Good surfers make the difficult look easy as they move from section to section making the most of everything without effort seemingly. Even agressive turns look like they fit, not forced.

- On SUP specifically it is about flow without looking awkward with the paddle. When you watch someone who rips on SUP you don't even notice the paddle. You know they are using it to lever turns and lean into the bottom etc but it pretty much dissapears as an extension of their arms almost.


That's my definition of good surfing. What's yours? Who do you like to watch and aspire to surf like?

Lets hope some of those longboarders give him some hassle

Totally agree with you CMC. Especially the second point about the flow of surfing and the effortless style some surfers have. Personally I look at some surfers, the pro's especially and I think its a complete wank. Performing tricks in a smaller time as possible makes the whole thing more gymnastics than art and that for me is not where the heart of surfing is. Give me Joel Tudor over Mick Fanning any day. Tudor seems to be working in co-operation with the wave where as Fanning uses the wave to perform. The pro's in general seem to have this attitude , well I guess they have to, it's all about scoring rather than the wave and the surfer. Oh yeah, I haven't asked Mr Fanning but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't approve of my surfing either. Log

Gorgo said...

Deisel said...

Joel Parkinson or Dave Rastovish (modern day style masters)

Those guys are not good surfers ... they are great surfers. I don't think it makes sense to compare top professional surfers to the rest of us.

We don't inhabit the same space in any way. We can't realistically emulate what they do or use the same gear. We can emulate their attitudes and the way they approach things.

My aspiration for anything is to be good in terms of being competent and in control and enjoy what I am doing.

Aesthetically I like carving, flowing turns. I don't like the slash 'em, bash 'em wave destroyers. If I was a judge at a competition I would deduct points every time the fins cut loose and the board over rotated (unless the rider was doing a nice lip slide).

He wasnt comparing them to us, those guys are the masters of flow! You wouldnt make a good judge then if thats your attitude

doggie said...
...
He wasnt comparing them to us, those guys are the masters of flow! You wouldnt make a good judge then if thats your attitude

You misinterpreted what I wrote. I never said Parko or Rasta did not flow. I said they were so far above us mere mortals that their standards do not apply to us.

I said that I prefer flowing, carving riding and that I did not like slashing, over-driven riding.

I agree with CMC as to what makes good surfing:

CMC said...
- First and foremost it is having fun, the guy having the most of it is ripping.

- Secondly though, it is about flow. Good surfers make the difficult look easy as they move from section to section making the most of everything without effort seemingly. Even agressive turns look like they fit, not forced.

- On SUP specifically it is about flow without looking awkward with the paddle. When you watch someone who rips on SUP you don't even notice the paddle. You know they are using it to lever turns and lean into the bottom etc but it pretty much dissapears as an extension of their arms almost.

doggie said...

No I didnt.

Yes you did.

boys get a room...lol

I like to sit out the side where i park mostly and watch everyone. Love spending a bit of time at the beginning of the session to see how the folks in the line up handle things, everyone has something...a foot move, drive tec', timming. Then spend the rest of the day trying to recreate what i saw...the death of a thousand falls! If i get a move right sucsessivly - Stoked! buggered and spend more time lounging of the side...

I do like watching some of the older girls those soft flowing lines, cute cruves and they get off mostly with a bit more grace than the fellas.

Then there's Neol and Willsy...

Gorgo said...

doggie said...

No I didnt.

Yes you did.

Gorgo said "Those guys are not good surfers ... they are great surfers. I don't think it makes sense to compare top professional surfers to the rest of us."

He wasnt comparing, he was saying they have "great flow".

Doggie said "no I didnt" and I was right.

are you kidding tamayo perry! he sucks

I,v been waiting for this topic to come up.
Is anyone else not impressed with the current direction of sup style of surfing?
After watching clips and contest footage its my opinion a 9' foot plus board looks lame trying to through it around like a short board.
I much prefer the look of smooth power surfing.
Anyone thinking the same?

I like to see old school moves on the 10ft+ boards and shortboard moves on the others.

IMO At comps they will need to start offering 2 different divisions or include mixed bag surfing!

LSD nose rides his 7'10 so it can be done with the right board.

We will all have to wait and see.

As long as everyone has fun who cares.


Is anyone else not impressed with the current direction of sup style of surfing?
After watching clips and contest footage its my opinion a 9' foot plus board looks lame trying to through it around like a short board.
I much prefer the look of smooth power surfing.
Anyone thinking the same?