Nice article at the start!!

Everyone else should just shut up and surf...life is too short!!

I bet if you throw a short boarder a sup and sponge in the path of 15 foot close out they would be more than willing to get along to make sure they all got out of the **** in one piece!!

doggie said...
[br
I know that most of the SUPers think that Im a troll or stirring sh!t but I normally only look here because there are alot of guys making their own boards and I like to look at what they make, some of the craftsmanship is out of this world! Suplove started this crap by posting this on shortboards, longboards (hardly rated a mention there) & shortboards and since all the reaction has said a thing since in his own defence! Personally I think Suplove is a troll imo.

This might be the base of the whole debate, but what is it Doggie about SUPlove's article you dont like?

Is it that is was posted in the SB forum or something in it you disagree with?

You (or someone else) mentioned the dislike of the term Waterman and Aloha. Both minor points IMO but valid.

Do you disagree with what he is proposing in his article, which is basically to share the ocean.

Zimbo Reagan said...

Do you disagree with what he is proposing in his article, which is basically to share the ocean.

I take issue with a few things. Firstly the "waterman" thing, which intensely annoys me.

Secondly, the "smile and hoot for others" thing. I rarely do this. I usually surf alone (i.e. not with groups of mates). Very, very occasionally I'll hoot familiar faces if they get an extraordinary wave. Maybe once every 10 sessions. They will know and I will know if it's an extraordinary wave. In comparison you get groups of grommets who hoot every single set, and every single in between wave too, and shout "pull in, pull in" like they're out at Pipe. Carrying on like that and hooting for anything less than special sucks IMHO. Bit like Brazilians claiming on every wave. Claiming sucks too. If you get a good one, be modest. No need to blow your own horn.

Thirdly, "call the sets". I find this extremely condescending. I realise you have an extreme height advantage and can see waves a long way off. I never call waves unless it's a warning that we're all going to get cleaned up in heavier conditions. Never to try to help people. Often awareness allows me to get the best waves. I've spent years developing this awareness. You know who is aware of what's happening and who's not. I employ all sorts of tricks to get myself in prime position. I know others do too. If I suddenly madly paddle in one direction, all the sheep will often blindly follow. If someone is calling where and when waves are coming, the sheep all get the heads up too. I don't need the help personally, and I find it condescending that someone thinks I do. Some people are just switched on, and some are switched off. Calling waves switches everyone on, and I don't need that. I take advantage of the switched off people, and I can safely discount them from the lineup. In fact, switched off people can be good, because their numbers discourage others from paddling out, but they're not really doing anything to affect me.

OK, I surf in a very competitive environment. My thoughts reflect that. My three points above wouldn't necessarily apply in a low pressure situation. However, I'll bet they apply at e.g. Qld points. Certainly mind games, tactics etc apply in competitive surfing though.

Ah, the old fallback. Abuse when you don't read what you want.

I could paddle out each time shouting my "Aloha"s, and "Mahalo" if I got hooted, throwing shakas at all my kine. Big smile. Like other dudes in the carpark, call up all da hui on my mobile to tell them it's pumping and "come on down bro, join the party dude". But nup, I'm selfish. I want to catch waves, not watch others catch waves.

You're totally right. I'm completely selfish. Surfing is inherently selfish. There's no room to share on the waves I like to surf (maybe there is on fat mushburgers, I don't really like to surf those). No ego involved though. I just like the way surfing feels, for me. Don't want anyone watching, don't want anyone participating. The only time I welcome company is if I'm alone, it's a sketchy break and my mind's thinking about sharks.

I find it hard to believe that the whole SUP community has a different view. In general, most surfers seem to share a similar view to me (discounting the mid-morning mal crew who go out just to have a chat in the water and don't actually surf). At least from everything I've ever read or heard. The epic sessions are always those with "just you and a mate (or two)", not those with 100 strangers at a single peak.

Do all SUPers honestly prefer to share waves with friends and strangers? Wow.

Legion , Howdy . Firstly I think It's great that your posting here. It makes for interesting discussion. BUT... the more you post , the more everyone can see the feelings behind the words. I don't want to insult you but your surfing is driven by blind, self serving egotism. A kind of **** you/ as long as I get my waves I'm OK . How many times in your posts are the words , ME and I mentioned. Pure self involvement. Try US,THEM,WE, it won't kill you. OH!, but thats right it's a dog eat dog world out there !!! HA !! . OK so this probably sounds a bit "touchy - feely " for you but anyhow. the point you seem to miss though is you are desperately trying to make SUPers behave and follow the rules of your game , the thing is we're not even playing your game. log

Reason I ask is that I'm 10 years older than you-still surf/kite/SUP daily (basically whole life and family's revolves around ocean activity) and I totally get where you're coming from as a shortboarder.

BUT as I've gotten' older my attitude in the surf has mellowed considerably-always been a bit of a punk local at my home break (actually moved from there to a new area 8 years ago)-but as I've gotten older the attitude has changed and is more open to other surfers on other craft-it's kinda' a normal progression as you get older-your ego tends to evolve and become less centred on the "I".

Having said that I get the sh!ts with other gumby surfers/suppers etc. causing havoc in the lineup-so I get that part of your complaint. Also on board with the ridiculous Seppo 'waterman' thing.

Also should point out that MOST of the top pros ride SUP boards-Tommy Carroll, as an example, is absolutely frothingly hooked on it.

Wouldn't it be a turnaround if I took up SUP? I'd have to go back and delete all these posts.

Don't use TC as a role model . From what I read he's one of the greediest, snakiest, drop-inners on the coast. I'm sure he took up SUP so he could get more waves. Such a shame. I idolised him as a little grommet, around when he did "the snap". Don't idolise him now. Nowadays I'd rather be like his brother when I reach that age.

Maybe I'll mellow. Hopefully not.

This topic has caused grief in every forum it has been posted

Well, at first I was deeply offended by your hurtful vitriol, but you finished with a nice happy "Cheers Scott" so that made it all better. What a nice guy. My name's not Scott, though.

Maybe the majority with a non-surfing background might want to welcome all into the water with open arms. If only everywhere was like the Superbank or the Pass, right? Everyone welcome. People's comments saying we should be happy to welcome everyone make me think they have no background in surfing at all:

Legion said...

The epic sessions are always those with "just you and a mate (or two)", not those with 100 strangers at a single peak.

Brooko, your comments about the best surfers is true. The standouts always do well no matter what. I do OK, but when it's (frequently) small (talking 1' and under) and there's a limited takeoff area and you have to be in exactly the right spot and it's crowded, well, it's not easy. Especially when you're not a lightweight grommet any more. If it gets 3' or bigger I do much better. I try to stay motivated when it's 1'. It's hard though.

There are a good number of days with 1' waves and straighthanders around here. I try to go out on those days, otherwise I could go for weeks at a time without a surf. All it takes is one wave, even one turn to make it worthwhile. Sometimes I'll go a whole session (or more ) without that wave. But just that one turn and I'll leave stoked.

Legion said...

There are a good number of days with 1' waves and straighthanders around here. I try to go out on those days, otherwise I could go for weeks at a time without a surf. All it takes is one wave, even one turn to make it worthwhile. Sometimes I'll go a whole session (or more ) without that wave. But just that one turn and I'll leave stoked.

That's one of the reasons I have a SUP-keeps you surf fit for in between swells (beats fixing your car when there's waves too ;-))-makes 1 foot waves fun (and 6 feet waves really fun/funny). I'm off to G-Land next Friday and the waves are pretty crap here at the moment-I'll paddle the next week to keep myself feeling on top of the fame physically-you're missing an opportunity with your bias Legion.

Brooko said...

Loco are you taking a Sub to G land ? On a small day it would be sick on a Sub.

A good mate of mine Camel was the supervisor there in the mid to late 90s , had some mind blowing sessions in between visitors to himself

Legion I can still see where your coming from and agree with you on most things except ONE , you have not tried a quality Sub Every surfer should have a Sub in his quiver

Is Camel down south now? riding a 5 or 7 fin surfboard, he doesn't mind a bit of size if the same guy.

This would have to be one of the most uninteresting threads that ever walked the earth.

Four freakn pages of BAAAAAAARF

please die.