Standing a chance in the sj ESA competitions

Surf!! that's what i think you should do. do it for yourself, who cares about the rest of 'em. if you want to enter the comp, do it for yourself. if you place, great. if you don't, it really doesn't matter either way.

the question you are asking, is not much different than a lot of the questions we have to ask ourselves in life... whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure you are doing it for yourself. if it's what you really want, and you are not hurting anyone else along the way, then by all means go for it!

competition isn't for everyone. there's a good chance that you are going to get smoked. but guess what? in the scheme of things, it's an amateur contest. you might make some new surfing buddies, you might get smoked, you may even advance into the next heat. either way, it doesn't really matter. why? it's only an amateur competition. it's not like your life depends on whatever result you get.

do whatever it is that "you" want to do. no one else's opinion really matters.

 

oh by the way... if it's flirting with 23 feet while you're at the comp, it's probably best to let the ShredMachine do her thing.

 

This is great advice.

Zman, before we can win we have to learn how to lose. Stepping up on the stage of competition is a platform that behooves us to gain more and more experience with. Preparation plus opportunity equals success. If you do everything within your power to achieve a goal, you can be emotionally free of the outcome. The fact that you have a will to compete is a great thing. You'll only grow from this. Enter that comp, look forward to that day like its your damn birthday, treat that heat as if it's eternal and never going to end because there's no other place you'd rather be, and you'll be quite pleased with the result. If you wipeout and eat $hit, that's one less time you'll fail out there in the world when it really matters.

Looking forward to hearing how you do, and more importantly, how much fun you have preparing and then during the event itself.

 

you can't be the world surfing champion with a wishy washy attitude like this...

 

I know this might fall on deaf ears knowing how I was at 14; but there is a great, and funny, book out there called a "Kooks Guide to Surfing" by Jason Borte. Besides highlighting the kookiness out there he has a nice section on competition that both Johnny and Spicoli channeled that basically says Competition's help you learn, meet more people in the surf family, and challenge yourself to see what you can do. He also gives some practical insight on how to compete (know the rules) and how to win not just on skill (if you wait for that perfect wave all heat and it never comes you score a 0; but if you get up and ride you get points).

It's a pretty good book that I give to my buddies each year when they think of taking up surfing in a "don't be that guy" on the break.

My girls, though half your age, will be in their second competition this year. They don't go to win but to have fun; but its funny that when no competitions are on they are always asking to go surfing so they can "be better" next year.

 

Alot of good advice,Just go out there and give it your best and have fun.If you get waxed so what.Sounds like you will regret it if you don't try.Maybe you even come in last.If you do,your next comps make your goals to keep trying to improve where you place.Your only 14 little bro.The world is your oyster.Go get it.

 

you're too big for competition, especially on the east coast. smaller more compact surfers have a distinct advantage and if the esa still runs the way i remember it, they go no matter what so be prepared to bob around in crap surf while kids half your size flop around and 'outscore' you on every wave. seriously, nothing says kook like a bunch of wannabe slaters sitting around in meager surf wearing a jersey on a saturday morning.

screw contests, dude. they are everything that's wrong with surfing.

 

Dude, the ESA, at least they used to back in the good old days, has different divisions even amongst specific age divisions. Like:

They have Boys 1A, 2A and 3A
Junior Men 1A, 2A and 3A

The 1A are for the novices. 2A is for the intermediates and 3A is for the friggin Matt Keenan shredders.......

They used to have this back when I howled at the moon many eons ago.

 

This is so cool! Go for it. You def will have a ton of fun. You'll also gain appreciation for how it feels to compete in a surfing contest. Grab as many new, and legal, experiences you can in this short life. You'll never regret it.

 

Zman- i am stoked for you! Just go for it... you will be suprised! GO FOR IT!!!
AND keep in mind- its all about doing your best-not placing or winning a trophy. after your done- look at the areas you need improvement and train in those areas- and dont let your placement or how you did get you down... just look forward at improving. Start surfing in any and every wave condition so you will be ready. start paddling distance to get stronger. Your at a good age to start! Keep it up! the swellinfo.com team has got your back!!! maybe we could get some sponsor shirts or something for you: "team swellinfo.com"!!! hook it up!

 

I'd try it out. You'll get to surf without a crowd and there will be lots of girls there. Who cares if you win.

 

I understand your anti-contest attitude, the old surfing is an art v. sport. Don't be a hater, be a congratulate r! Kelly rules! That being said, many of my friends are great comp surfers, but alas, not I. But so what, I've surfed heats to gain knowledge, have camaraderie, to support the local surf scene, etc. But always remember, in a heat there is only 4 guys out, in a usually crowded peak, so you have an opportunity to score some really good nuggs without a big hassle. Travy...lighten up, he's 14 and stoked, unlike you bro.

 

Goodluck Zman,Just have fun out there.Use your strengths and really make smart wave selections.What's the tide looking like on that day and time of the contest.Maybe you want to surf that break a couple times to get a vibe on it.Just like that other post said about paddling and getting your cardio up.G luck.

 

oh, i'm quite stoked bro. but when i was 14 sitting in 2 foot mush trying to catch crap i wouldn't even look at if there wasn't a 'contest' on while 80 pound kids slop-hopped to the shore before doing some lame azz close out snap to 'beat' me i was most definitely, not stoked. i agree that there are some positive aspects to the contest scene, but i'm just saying if you are a 6'3, 14 year old east coast grom there may be better ways to spend your saturday mornings.

 

Hey now, many of life's greatest pleasures exist outside the long arm of the law. And most fun doesn't occur until after midnight.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

VERY good advice. Always familiarize yourself with the terrain prior to heading into battle. We need to exist outside our comfort zone constantly to progress, however, during times of assessment we want to be right in our comfort zone. But ready to persevere if externals present themselves as well.

 

I couldn't possibly disagree with travy any more.

Zman, I'm 6'3" and 34 years old. I started competing when I was your age but quit sometime around highschool and didn't pick it back up until this year. I wish I hadn't stopped, forgot how much fun contests are--and not just the surfing in a heat part. I surf in my age division AND the open division, so I've gotten whooped by a handfull of 14 year olds more than once. It's no big deal. Sure, it can be frustrating if the waves suck, but that's where you work on your strategy game and start paddling all over the lineup. Hell, at least you're getting some exercise.

If your ESA region is as cool, laid back and supportive as mine you'll have an excellent time.