Im no kook and Im not exactly Dane Reynolds, but when it comes to winter condition I kook it up sometimes. The cold kills my endurance with a quickness. Takes me 3x longer to paddle out but once I catch a wave Im good for half an hour until Im cold again and I begin to look like an idiot once more.
Well said! Been there, totally stoked paddling out into those frigid, perfect peeling winter waves, then that first duck dive mysteriously kooks me out. However, after making it out sometimes - yada, yada, yada - the cycle continues. ...and yes for those Seinfeld fans, I just yada yada'd past the best part...
whatever dude. if you suited up and went out yesterday, you're not a kook. everybody wants to judge everybody. lets just ride waves, huh?
saw plenty of kooks Sunday. Probably like previous posters said, the availability of cheaper winter suits.
Kinda hard to 'just ride waves' when you have people dropping in on you or floundering to get out right in the prime take off spot and then bailing off their tanker board when a wave is about to crash on them.
I understand that some of the people out yesterday weren't kooks and that the cold makes things even harder, but when I see someone floundering in the white wash while everyone else is paddling along the jetty - I don't believe they're experienced. I just can't believe people drop that much cash just to temp fate. I should have done them a favor and offered them some money for their suit!
I actually thought the paddle out wasn't bad at all. The rip pulled me straight out. Maybe a few more ducks than normal...but getting out was not an issue. Oh and those 4-5 second shacks.
i surfed a few spots yesterday in mon. cty. def well overhead and heavy. first paddle out was a mad dash but made it pretty easily. the second one was a bit more difficult. current was a pain yesterday for sure.
Where I was there was a nice rip to take you out and put you right in the perfect take off zone. But....the aforementioned kooks didn't have the experience to know that so they felt it necessary to paddle out right in front of us.
That's my point. If you're not riding the rip or up the jetty, you can't be too experienced. Only real kooks would risk drowning and/or being drilled in the head. I guess I'm just salty that they had an awesome new suit while I was in a one-time loaner.
I could care less if they drown or get drilled. My issue it trying to take off with them littering the take off zone.
Communicate I am always amazed at the discussions on this board. People seem to communicate fine behind the mask of their PC but cant talk in the water or on the beach. If a new guy is out in the winter I give him credit. If I have a tip about conditions or etiquette and he is interested in hearing them, I let him know. See I remember my first day, and I have let go of my ego long ago. I am just a squirrel trying to get a nut like everyone else. I completely understand why someone buys $500 worth of gear and goes and gets damaged in 45 degree water, he is lookng for "animal chin" just like I am. I am and will always be a kook. I am never to old to learn. I am always open to advise. And for as long as I am physically able I will surf and skateboard. And if you see me around I do know how to talk and I won't run back to my computer and write kook this and that.
Just having some fun dude. Someone's always holier than thou though. We're not worthy! I log on from my work computer! I've been selling stuff too but it is going to student loan bills.
a friend of mine - whom I've seen charge 12-15 foot heaving Nicaraugan beach break with no one else out- got denied on Sunday - just swept right down the beach
Yeah it definitely wasn't a walk in the park, but paddle out the rip or up the jetty. That's pretty common knowledge.