Husq not 3 try 7. I guess you didn't watch the waimea vids...hehe

Husq - I hear you but when it gets big at say Mavericks, Waimea, Jaws, etc. they all are riding big boards like SUP size either laying or standing and dropping in on each other. If anyone disagrees then they clearly haven't seen big wave surfing either in print or video. I'd say more than 60 percent has 2 or more people riding the wave. Not that its right but I think the understanding is if you are competent then it's ok.

I think what everyone is forgetting that Big wave surfing is mostly comprised of the drop and the wipeout. It's kind of like bull riding not pretty but exciting. The rush is the drop unlike surfing smaller waves where cutbacks and punts are the thing.

Just my nickel.

and who know who's actually going to get on the wave at that size with the wave speed and wind. look at how many guys paddle for them and miss,

gee, if you were polite you would never get a wave.

its doesn't even the have to be that big and guys miss waves.

even at 4 to 5 ft say alley, you go, some other guy on the inside suddenly decides to go. you are half way down the drop- much more likely to cause carnage trying to get off at the point.

better off finishing the drop then get off as soon as you can.

however, the heart of the matter is you had better know what you are doing what ever craft you are on

Just as Lacey says Chuck, you never now on any size day who on the inside of you (unless you know them ) is going to catch that wave.
The Mav video actually shows 4 people paddling for that wave.
One is inside the girl and has it but pulls back for whatever reason, the other is inside of the SUP rider and does not take it.

I don't know about your spot but I always get guys I have never seen before paddle inside me and thats behind the rock, so I cover them and when they pull back I go.
Even the local guys I cover, because you know them and what they surf like.

So imagine what its like out at Mavs, you CAN get hurt out there and there are a whole lot of newbies trying to catch that wave.

The last video of Jaws says it all. The third wave has three guys one after the other paddling for that wave and missing, bad position/not enough commitment, the fourth guy who is covering them gets the wave.

Its just modern crowded surfing. One thing tho is that they can all probably hold their breath longer than me.
Rod

Pretty hard to pull out once you where commited on waves that size. -i nearly dropped in on Gerry Lopez saturday , but thought better of it. He's got a pretty smooth style that's for sure.

Seemed like a top bloke , happy to have a chat.he must liike the wave he was out for hours.

I looked at the alley both days of the weekend and he being out must have been the only draw card, but not a big enough one for me. Great fun was to be had on some beachies just a few KM south