It's something that's always been about but generally not worthy of comment as more a rarity than the norm but these past few weeks, I've noticed more and more anger, unfriendliness and general lack of smiles in the line up down my way and some comments on these forums relating to the alleged banning of SUP's at Angourie, endangering surfers in Byron etc etc.

WTF's going on here ?

After surfing (actually SUP'ing) down The Farm this morning, I had a lengthy conversation with a Shellharbour local and elder statesman who despite being a shortboarder, thoroughly enjoyed the sight of my SUP carving some arc's (albeit minor) on peelers and seemingly enjoying the moment with nothing but a smile.

Evidentially, this chap is currently recovering from a second heart attack and is in his 9th week out of the water. Frustrated by the lack of salt but damn happy to be alive.

I feel that my newfound love is very different to the feelings of the general surfer. There's not a lot a friendly banter, not a lot of laughing, many frowns, comments mumbled and a general frustrated look amongst many.

This is not why we all started surfing all those years ago - it was meant to be fun, hooting each other, laughing, sharing, letting a mate get the set wave.......where does it go wrong ?

I've spent over 25 years surfing the full gambet of equipment from potato chip shortboards, retro keels and longboards both competitively and socially and totally understand the frustration of big boards snaking and small boards struggling but the general perception of the SUP appears to be 'F**K OFF' out in the line-up.

I totally get it should the surf be overhead, crowded and intense but I'm not sure why anyone in their right mind on a 1-2 foot day with easy 'get back out' channels, especially longboarders, seem so unaccepting of an activity that promotes water time, fitness, wave riding, skill enhancement and general stoke.

It saddens me that ego's and a trend to 'look good' and be accepted outweighs the chance to follow your own dreams and be an individual.

The other day, surfing a 'local' longboard break, 3 SUP's paddled out. As they did, I flicked off on the inside and started the paddle back out not more than 2 metres from a fellow SUP'per.

'G'day mate' I said.

The response was silence.

'Hey bro, how ya' goin' I barked.

Again, nothing.

He then paddled around me and hooked a wave.

WTF - there's enough agro without the core group of SUP'pers being tools as well.

Today, my 'wave of the day' peaked well wide and out the back of the pack......being in the prime spot, I wheeled around and had a good look down the line, called the guy inside on the 9'0 Meyerhoffer' into it;

'All yours bro, go, go, go' I screamed.

'Come with me, sit inside me, let's share' he replied.

'Nah, f**ken go' Wahoo - I yelped.

Mr Meyerhoffer bloke rode it through, bashing the lip, nose ride thru the inside, flicked off 150m down the track with a hoot.......and I was the most stoked bloke in the line-up for sharing what in my mind is the surfing experience.

It's not always about self fulfillment and ego. It's about Aloha and sharing many experiences.

I just wish more were as accepting of SUP's as a valid form of surf equipment on the right day and generally spent a minute each day being thankful that we have the chance we have each day to both breath and surf without all the negative vibe and selfish, angry ant behaviour.



Here's some shot's of a lovely sunrise this morning. A beautiful way to farewell 2009, a watershed year in my surfing life.

Couldn't agree more it’s the same in NZ they call SUP 'W*nk boards' here

For me it’s about getting out on either flat or waves and when its waves SUP is merely my preferred vehicle. Surly it should just be about catching waves and having fun who cares what the method is as long as no one gets hurt you show respect to other water users and have loads of fun.

sup ers competing with each other for waves, its at the alley now and coming to a beach near you. it's funny, the main "threat" for a wave is other sup ers, next mals and then shortboarders and right or wrong, thats the way it is, sure we try to get along, otherwise the place would be a madhouse

YEP!!!!

hilly said...

So the supers are the arseholes??? Seems the opposite over here with the prone surfers especially the longboard riders being the tossers.

Never had any comments only heaps of stink eye and hassling for waves which I am seriously over that is why I took up sup to get away from the crowd. Generally the supers are up for a chat.

hilly said...

Generally the supers are up for a chat.

Hilly's absolutely correct, most SUPers are very sociable & affable over here, & yours truly has met more afficionados of this great sport in the last 2 years than surfers in the previous god-knows-how-many-years of shortboarding/longboarding!!
However, as more & more people get out there, there's now a tendency from a few of the "newbies" to decline to say hello to fellow SUPers (& other surfers for that matter; should try it, sure breaks the ice ). And I heard that it's pretty icy out at Yallingup, even amongst the SUPers, especially if you're not a "local" (funny that, I know for a fact that none of the old crew were born there---like the rest of us baby-boomers, they all migrated down in the 60's/70's; only young guys like Taj grew up there).
A guy told me he had lots of waves at Bali recently, much to the chagrin of the prone surfers on the inside. When they complained, he said, & I quote: "get over it, surfing's an aggressive sport". Gotta share guys, otherwise karma will get you when the tow-ins come to town
We've all seen the Kook vs Cool advice (for those who haven't: www.seabreeze.com.au/articles/stand%20up%20paddle/kook-or-kool--your-first-go-in-the-surf_2965007.aspx).

My 2c & a $1.50, don't post much these days so making up for it.

Thanks for the comments. Appreciate the thoughts of others on this topic as it's actually one that's really bugged me of late.

I still think that if we all just shared a little, concentrated on quality rather than quantity (and I've been guilty of going the quantity road plenty too) and embraced the 'whole' surf experience we'd have a much better road ahead.

I did assume the SUP community would be pretty tight in the car park and line-up too as it's a minority, much the same as longboarders did in the mid to late 90's, that it isn't as I imagined is a tad disappointing although the sport itself couldn't disappoint anyone who dipped their toes in (or on).

Thanks again guys, have a fabulous and safe New Year BTW.

Hey SA,

The SUPers on the Vicco west coast mostly are a very friendly group!

We all work together and as a rule share waves, stoke and friendship.

The majority of issues we have here is hire boards and imports with serious attitude. These guys would still be pissed off if they won the lottery.

There are several breaks that are left to different craft ( Short / Long ) and even then if you play your cards right and mind your Ps & Qs your still welcome.

I have never ever had anything but Aloha from breezers I have met either here or interstate. In fact the breezers (bar a few sh1t stirrers on the forum) are more like a brotherhood of stoked out grommets.

Long may it stay that way!

Happy and safe new year to all.

Phill

mybrosweeper said...

what the world needs now is love sweet love?
Glad I live in the sticks,
Robbo

I can't wait to get back down your way Robbo... Last time I was there a total of three people were out, just magic.

pete joseph said...

attack is the best defence

LOL Well we come pre-armed with paddles