Monday, April 12, 2010

SUP HATE: All the funny little forum people...

How great is this guy's response? I found this on the Surfer Magazine forum. If you want to get a look at how a handful of forum clones (I say clones because they all seem to write the same way, say the same things, think the same way) feel about stand up paddling, swing by and scroll through. Chances are you'll find a thread or two that will make you laugh (or get your hackles up).

I grabbed a screen shot of one of the threads I found. This guy was funny, I thought his response was well done. Especially this, "I'm sorry that you have to share air, sunlight, ocean space with other human beings." Witty. Check it out:



I can totally understand how a prone surfer would feel with a stand up paddler snagging everything that came through. Shoot, I still surf on occasion and I've witnessed visiting paddlers doing things the wrong way. But we can coexist with our laydown brothers- it just takes some self control. Don't snag everything that comes through. Stay out of the way. Be very aware of how you're coming across. Golden Rule kind of thing... stuff you already know.

11 comments:

Diesel said...

Ultimate power corrupts most humans. When you can catch every wave some guys have no self control. It is the Tiger Woods syndrome. When he was a golf nerd hanging around his pops, he got no play but once he became The Tiger Woods Phenomenon it was an all you can eat buffet and he had no self control. People have to stop being selfish and think about others a little more. Surfing is not a competition. Well it it not supposed to be but some turn it into one. Be more zen and the waves will come to you, especially the good ones.

John Ashley said...

Right on Diesel!

Especially, "Be more zen and the waves will come to you, especially the good ones."

It's been true for me too.

srfnff said...

Here's a couple things that seem to be working for me. 1) Don't always stand up while waiting around in the line-up. Sit down, kneel, whatever. Get down to sea level with your fellow surfers. 2) Don't stay in one place too long if there's more than two or three people in the line-up. SUPs are so easy to cover distance on...use it to surf three or four peaks. 3) Take turns even if others in the line-up don't. 4) Give waves away...you'll get plenty anyway. Peace.

SUP? no said...

First we need to be clear:
SUP does not have SURFING any where in it. Stand Up Paddleboard. It's closer to kyaking than surfing. No art, no soul, no SKILL.
The argument made that this is the same rivalry that shortboards and longboards have (had) is totally false...at least long/short boards are both using thier hands, have spent years developing thier SKILL and all operate under a code of ethics. SUP learned YESTERDAY and couldn't tell you the difference between a swell period and a fetch.
SUPs completely controll the lineup, only GRANTING you waves as they see fit. The only wave YOU get is one THEY don't want or miss. If they want it, they GET IT, no matter their skill level, comittment to the spot or respect they have from others.

These two worlds must not collide. There is NO good that can come of it.SUPing will only grow. As their numbers grow and they become more organized, you will see spots like Malibu,Rincon,Sunset Cliffs TOTALLY overrun by these guys. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN!!

AND STOP CALLING SURFERS PRONE_SURFERS!!!!!!

John Ashley said...

SUP?no: You know, a lot of what you say is true and those on standos who barge through spots and have no understanding of the unwritten rules of surfing are blowing it for guys who stand up paddle with respect and understanding.

Sorry about the Cliffs and Malibu- but those spots were blown when the "performance" longboard came back in the mid-80's (thank Herbie for that). I remember the backlash about those- do you?

Are you riding one?

Anonymous said...

"prone surfers" - wow. Paddle clowns suck.

Anonymous said...

S.U.P. spells douchbag. Seriously, it's funny to see the connection.

We've all seen them, some clueless surfer....always in the way, not very smart when it comes to water etiquette, sits too close on an open beach break, perhaps wearing booties with a spring suit, etc. Show me one of those guys and I will show you a future S.U.P. rider.

Maikai said...

Regardless of one's ride, there is always a need for RESPECT. Anyone who surfs needs to adopt a healthy respect for SAFETY. If I cannot safely control my equipment & behaviors, I should stay away (I suppose this applies to almost anything like driving, etc.).

Unfortunately, as much as surfing should be all about the stoke, living in a litigious society, and/or a place with populated surf breaks equates to higher stakes.

It helped me to experience various watercraft to gain perspective, learn responsibility for my own actions & equipment, and be aware of the changing surf conditions / equipment / social / operational dynamics.

As we all contribute to population growth & consumptionism, we also inherently choose to pay the price: be more tolerant / patient / understanding (No choice there, & good for you if you choose to adopt a child / a pet, recycle / reuse your gear, blabla...).

Even if I happen to be surfing by myself, someone still pays the price for unsafe behavior (I am not naming names, but some KOOK hurt himself SOLO paddling his SUP here in Cali, & somehow still had the gall to hold the SUP manufacturer responsible. Should I hold CI liable for my kook-outs? Talk about holding someone else responsible for one's own actions.).

Here's what I think I've learned so far about so-called RESPECT:

1. SAFETY first. Plenty of waves; one set of teeth.
2. CONTROL. Equip myself with gear I can control. Don't put myself in situations without contingencies; maintain my "cushion," etc. (This includes considering the projectile range of my weapon of choice... 6' board + 6' leash + kookspace = 12+' radius. 6' paddle @ one end + 6' rider + 9' leash + 9' board @ the other end+ kookspace = 30+' radius... or likely more if I yard sale down the line.)
3. CULTURAL AWARENESS. Gain perspective from different conditions. Know the written & unspoken rules of each zone. Learn respect / patience / tolerance / understanding & own up. Don't just bodyB, kayak, LB, SB or SUP and think you "get it."
4. DON'T BE THAT KOOK. Examples: FOAM-BALLERS - Shoulder-hoppers that take off beyond the bowl / from the shoulder without realizing they have just collapsed the section for the rider on the inside. PREMATURE EJACKASSULATORS - Cherry-pickers that vie for the ride beyond the fair bowl / mass line-up to catch a wave. Bulldozers, backdoorers, yard salers...
5. ALOHA. Right-of-way only exists when yielded to me. I am personally OK with sharing, but only when the other rider/s can SAFELY control his gear & not kook out. Yes it's OK if other riders do not wish to share that hard-earned wave...

No way in hell can I reasonably control an SUP or LB. I can barely control my SB.

If I can't hold onto my gear & keep it from pummeling the lineup, I am a danger to myself & to others, and a detriment to the lifestyle we love.

Learning to drive starts with a scooter; learning to be in a surf zone starts with... sound judgment.


See you in the lineup. Aloha folks!

Anonymous said...

why not blackball paddleboarding,so they can fight amongst themselves for waves at selected spots.

Anonymous said...

All SUPers need to realize that catching a wave is in their favor over longboarders, shortboarders, etc. They must share. And move around. And if they are beginners, they need to stay away! Go down the pike and learn how to ride waves as well as those surfers riding them. I do like riding with my SUP buds on the south shore of Oahu, though. Most of them know how to ride!

Cliff said...

It's really simple. There are only 3 rules to live by, when in the water:
1. Stay out of the way when paddling out.
2. Always take off on the peak.
3. Don't be a wave hog.

Nothing more or nothing less! If you consistently do these 3 things, everything else will fall into place. Doesn't matter what the other guy does...