This is only one persons perspective and not the right or wrong way but it has worked nicely for a couple winters on the busiest stretch of coast with the most aggressive surfers in the World.

First off, when I arrive at the beach and its crowded I'm not even thinking about being in that lineup. If I wasn't already out by the time people arrive I'm going somewhere else... This is how I've been surfing for the last 30 years so nothing new here. Just not into crowds.

My daily surf usually goes like this.... Dawn patrol and try to be the first one out. Hustle and catch every perfect set wave till someone else comes out. If no one comes out for 20 minutes, you will of gotten plenty by then... As people come out I'm toning it down and moving over to the inside or to another peak. Still getting plenty waves but not the ones people want. I let the crowd push me out. Crowd fills in more and I'm outta there to the next empty spot or by then I may already be done.

Other cool sessions will involve long paddles into no mans land type areas where we score crazy good waves. Waaay better than people even know about but only worth going on a ski or with a SUP board. Sometimes when the waves are solid and there are consequences the crowds are not even a factor especially at remote spots. Pick and choose different places to adventure off the beaten track.

Some cool comments I got over the winter were, "Man, you could get any wave you want but you always go for the junk ones. You always let us have the good ones." Little do they know I was out early and already got a bunch of set waves. They also don't know waves they consider junk are still super fun on a stand up...

The best comment I ever got was on a day there must of been 60+ people but no one was sitting way way deep. I was almost taking off at another spot. I must of caught over 30 waves and kept coming back through the regular crowded lineup on the way back out... On one of the passes another long time regular says, "Everytime I turn around you're paddling back out. Where are you coming from? Its like you're invisible!" Always nice to appear to be invisible...

Another thing that works nice is when you sit down between waves. Its a natural feeling when someone stands over you to feel threatened or think you are trying to be dominant. By towering over people it sends out a negative message like you are trying to be superior or you are perched and ready to get everything in sight. By sitting you are sending off the message that you are relaxing and in no hurry to get every wave. When around others forget the macho hype about standing the whole time you're out. Sit down, relax....


By surfing shorter boards we are surfing from the inside out instead of the outside in. Here's an example... If you're on a big board you are forced to stay on the outside because turning around takes awhile and getting in early is the only way to take off safely. On a big board you are forcing yourself to only get set waves right thru the pack. On shorter SUP boards you can stand inside and spin around right as the wave is in front of you. You can still get in super early but now you have another option of hanging inside. Because the board is shorter you can take off when its steep and late. This opens up way more waves to you. A lot of times I stand inside regular surfers and watch what they don't go for. All the ones they don't want I go after. Because they're facing out to sea, most times they don't even know you're there. On the way back out if no one is around you can spin on a dime and go... Some sessions I'll only surf inside of everyone. Its like being out alone.

The key is to have an awareness of your individual impact on the situation your in. Have basic common sense. Be honest with yourself... What are your true abilities? Are you a danger to others? Is this your local spot where you are more accepted? Do you know the area well? What are your options? When caught inside what are you going to do? Where is your escape route? Are there other SUP surfers that aren't aware? Talk to them. Let them know if they are being dangerous or stupid. Send them to this site to read things that could help them. I hope this can help and shed some light on what will always be a touchy subject.


Aloha,
Blane

I like your attitude and it was a well thought out and I enjoyed the read, it sounds like you have some really good places to surf and that you are surfing for all the right reasons.
Mate I live on the Goldie and we have some great spots too , the only difference probably being the crowd factor ,not many waves go unridden around here ! having said that though some times you can jag it uncrowded espiecially during the week days and at certain times.
Last month a mate and myself had the Alley to ourselves for at least an hour It was during the week glassy mid arvo three foot and walling up for 80 metres , STOKED!there actually has been a few days like that this winter. Days to remember!. As summer hits and the crowds start to swell again then like you said its time to source some new spots down the coast and I for one will definately be incorporating some of your Ideas on etiquette and how "not" to piss the locals off while surfing new spots on my adventures.


Mahalo JT

I don't get this. You rip off a post by BLANE CHAMBERS (of all people) You cut out the names of the breaks he regularly surfs to remove it's association with Hawaii - in a pathetic effort to make out it's been written by you?? BUT then you forget to cut his name from the end of the post??? (ScottyMac - aka Blane? Or was that just in case you got busted?) Then you sit back and take all the compliments??

Don't suppose you're a journalist are you?? An old trick from some of the low life types! UNBELIEVABLE!

Blane Chambers of PSH wrote this excellent article 1 year ago.

www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=106.0

To "spread the word", "IMO" credit the original poster, don't cut the article to suit or credit yourself.

"Good Reading"??? If it's good reading then why not post the ENTIRE article or the link with a credit to the original author, as it is so easy to do.

Read the original post. Why would he need to cut out so much content?

That stinks. Nuff said.

Here i got something for you tomasb

I'm with Tomasb.

Wow I didn't realise that you had to know who "Blane" was to know anything about SUPing well that counts me out I know Nothing !! besides I was the only one who got sucked in and I don't care!! Its all good.
I think you ment well Scotty, OK by me brudda !

Ben ya crack me up !

Why would I delete it, i never claimed to write it?

The title says "good reading" and "Aloha from Blane".

I am not trying to hide anything, anyone can see its written in Hawaii?

I live in Adelaide, its a world away in so many ways.

My name is Scotty Mac. For those who can't work that out you are fools....

And most of all the person I am most disappointed in is Oliver.

Jeez I am in shock...........

Oliver and others who are totally off on a tangent,

1/ Its obviously written in Hawaii NOT Adelaide, read it again..

2/ Why would I title it "Good Reading" if I wrote it? Do you think I am a big head or what?

3/ How sneaky am I leaving "Aloha Blane"?

4/ You must think I am a total w_nker if you think I have time to blow wind up my ass by trying such a stunt.

Wow, now I know what it's like to be totaly misunderstood......and even hated?

Thankfully a couple of people understood what was going on.......

Yer Tomsb also, its not from an artical, it's off the PSH website.

And if you look you will see thats the total words in the website I posted.

You should congratulate your self for "STATING THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS".

jEEZ you must be a detective. um aloha blane..........

I have alot of respect for the bloke and I actually have one of his boards so it drains me to think you actually think I ripped him off. Shattered.....

Yep no worries, sorry if I made anyone feel ripped off. I never even though anyone would misunderstand it as written by me.

Scotty Mac, I guess I can see both sides of the dispute. The 'Zone' article does read different from the PSH site, hence the misunderstanding.

Remember it's always been your thread and you can choose to keep or delete it. 1) Keep as is, (it seems settled now) or 2) Repost the article, mention it's from the PSH website and credit Blane for writing it. Smiles all round

Just my 2 cents

PS. DJ, what news??????? Tell us....

Subculture said...


PS. DJ, what news??????? Tell us....

I'll post something as soon as I can.. ..I just have to check first if it's ok to say something...I'm sure it will be.

DJ

DavidJohn said...

In fact Blane has even contacted me a few times about stuff and I would love to shake his hand one day.

DavidJohn said...

I'll post something as soon as I can.. ..I just have to check first if it's ok to say something...I'm sure it will be.

Im guessing he is one of your mates and a really nice guy?
When he calls you up on your mobile, tell him I said hi.
Oh... and while your at it, say hi to Robby for me

Greenroom said...

DavidJohn said...

In fact Blane has even contacted me a few times about stuff and I would love to shake his hand one day.

DavidJohn said...

I'll post something as soon as I can.. ..I just have to check first if it's ok to say something...I'm sure it will be.

Im guessing he is one of your mates and a really nice guy?
When he calls you up on your mobile, tell him I said hi.
Oh... and while your at it, say hi to Robby for me

Will do Greenroom..

No I can't claim that Blane is a mate..but I'm sure he's a really nice guy..

Here's a picture of Blane Chambers and some of his boards (hope he doesn't mind my posting this)

Is there anything that you want me to tell Robby when I see him next?..

DJ

Wow, i'd love to try a PSH board........oh well one day hopefully