Was I wrong to take this kid down?

[bubonicphoniks]

you know what stresses me out? people who repeatedly ignore the rules of the lineup. are you one of those free love surfers who drop in on people with a smile on their faces then can't believe anyone would get mad over a wave and we should all just chill and get along? screw that. follow the rules or get regulated. it's the only thing that keeps the lineup from turning to total chaos and more regulars should speak up when people get out of line.

again, we should all be very cautious about physical confrontation but there are other ways to handle this and just ignoring it and smiling is the worst thing you can do.

No, I obsess over refining my etiquette the entire time I am surfing, and please do not lump me into a category I am an individual.

[Sloop John B.]

but I have to say I damn near lost my composer

I, for one, really hate it when Vivaldi decides to play hide and seek in the dunes . . .

[OCLocal1219]

What the world is wrong with him? People need to learn respect!

[stayabovetheweather]

DPS, I doubt its a real story. Its just too convenient of a write up to have actually happened.

I have to admit that I went back and forth on this subject... not on if I would do it again. but if it was the right or wrong thing to do.
Im mixed on it. It was wrong for the obvious reason that I might have gotten injured.... def. not worth it.
But it was right in that this kid is part of a group that blatantly disreguards the etiquette of surfing at anyone else's peril. So what, we collided. He took his act to a different beach, and when he finally paddled back over an hour or so later, he wasnt dropping in on people.

Its funny how the most aggressive and confrontation responderes to this post are the people saying that dropping in is just part of surfing. I have a news flash... its not right and if you have an opportunity to correct it, take it.

I dont think you really needed to tackle the kid ... it seems like you could of easily went under him. If this was like the 3rd time of him dropping in on you then I can understand the tackle, but if it was his first time doing it then you should of just let it slide.

[DKennedy]

I can't believe people are still talking about this. stopped reading after you commented on my post and called me pathetic. you are a old kook man. you videos speak for themselves. you suck at surfing, your videos are embarrassing, and you have some kind of inferiority complex and thats why you need to find validation for your weak and pathetic actions on a message board from strangers. maybe surfing isn't for you. take up stamp collecting or something where you might find some joy, don't need to pick on people half your age in dismal conditions, and have the opportunity to develop some skill. loser.

[CaptObvious]

I can't believe people are still talking about this. stopped reading after you commented on my post and called me pathetic. you are a old kook man. you videos speak for themselves. you suck at surfing, your videos are embarrassing, and you have some kind of inferiority complex and thats why you need to find validation for your weak and pathetic actions on a message board from strangers. maybe surfing isn't for you. take up stamp collecting or something where you might find some joy, don't need to pick on people half your age in dismal conditions, and have the opportunity to develop some skill. loser.

ding, ding ding, winner! Settle it like an adult, right there. Use your words. Don't go crying on the internet, seekinfor validation for your immature behavior. You easily could have gone around that shortboarder.

I suppose I should thank you for posting your video so that I know what to expect when I see you at rockaway when its waist high.

also, someone said that you see stuff like this all the time in videos like War(d) stories. Tough guy Chris Ward got charged with felony assault on two women a few years back. You can be a great surfer and still be a total skel. So if thats your role model, hope you like legal fees and jail time.

[nynj]

I've been reading this thread for a couple of days now... And I find myself swinging back and forth with my opinion... But the fact is you should not tackle a kid for dropping in on you. Especially if you are a responsible adult and he is a child.. I don't care if he is 17 years old, he is a child. And you are a grown man. If that were my kid I'd smack him for being a punk then I would knock your teeth down your throat for torpedoing my kid...

The kid is much smaller than you. You should be able to scare him with a strong yell and a solid BIG TIME VIBE...
That being said, I don't think you are a horrible person. Your just a dude that lost his cool. I have done the same... But coming to a surf forum and receiving validation doesn't make it right...

That being said.. The people calling this an assault are crazy. That is what's wrong with this country. You can sue someone for anything... And win. This was not an assault. It was and act of poor judgement

[Turrtle]

If only it was Sunny Garcia's kid....lol Wonder how that go pro footage wouldve gone down...EPIC!

Lesson: teach kid by tackling him for dropping in on wave

Lesson: Dont teach a kid etiquette by using force

Lesson: Dont tackle Sunny's kid while he is videoing it for an INNERSECTION CLIP

Lesson: Make sure your COBRA is up to date

[cepriano]

i couldnt make out shyt on that video..looked like u were on a 2ft wave and someone fell on u??did u tackle the kid,i dont know...usually u just let it pass and if it happens again then confront the kid.but if ur a grown as$ man and u jump on a 15 yr old thats some jerry sanduski shyt right there.other people surf,it happens to everyone.nobody owns the lineup...karma always wins at the end..and chris ward is a psycho path!!he surfs great but he is a peice of shyt.iv had run ins personally with him.he got his as$ kicked a lot when he was younger.just dont drop in people!

[MFitz73]

I would knock your teeth down your throat for torpedoing my kid...

Um you're talking out of your ass here. Going on about being all adult like, huh?