does localism still exist

No way man...can you imagine all the blown waves you would witness while taking the lift back out lol? Out manuevering and being smarter in the line up (without being a dick) equals higher wave count.

I rarely surf crowded spots...very rarely. I will surf one of the piers, which get crowded or lighthouse, but generally speaking, I’m surfing a quiet sandbar with friends and/or family.

 

Do you surf Avon Pier?

 

It has been a few years since I paddled out there. Over the last 33 years yes but rarely over last 10.

 

Any reason why you don't as much these days? I stayed in a house just to the North of it two years ago in April for my B day (29th). I caught some waves right by the house which was a short walk to the pier. It wasn't that great due to some funky wind / swell mix but enough to have a little fun on the SB. There was some old guy with a new red long board that showed up. I thought it was BB lol, but I didn't bother asking. He paddled out and drifted off into oblivion, but he was stoked.

 

I see so many blown waves on crowded days lol

Yeah this is one big difference between surfing and skiing: you can’t out position a lift line. Although kind of a gray area, the same rule generally applies tho

 

I just surfed buxton a couple hours ago at the motels. I paddled out to a bar where there was no one in sight.
Got a couple nice waves. Three guys paddled straight out.
I flop around and struggle mightily, so i immediately paddled far away from them.
Don't want to get in the way.

 

That was wrong of them--they should have left you to enjoy your choice in solitude.
They could have gone elsewhere.....
just opinion.

 

Them boys need some jail time. For assault.

 

I surf buxton, frisco, hatteras. Not avon.

 

Exactly. But if you surf a beachbreak and get a great ride and someone sees it, quite often here they come...
And it is always wrong.
There's a million empty sandbars here today with nice waves all over the place and 70 degree water. Headin' back out!

 

Hope you have a great session.

 

Good on you man. That's how i was growing up. Id walk far away from everyone. It wasn't until i was in my late teens that i joined the heard on the better peaks. Hell even now I'll paddle away if it's going to get me frustrated. However usually they are inexperienced and just paddle out on top of you because they can't figure out where to go on there own. In which case I'll paddle circles around them. Or they are experienced and happen to enjoy that peak and are willing to share in a respectful manner so both are happy.

 

Good question. There have been times over the years where Avon Pier sandbars where working and good. Buxton bars typically set up better as they accept similar swell wind angles...so I will typically (almost always drive the extra few minutes to be rewarded). Otherwise, with different wind and swell angle, I’m staying further North.

 

Oh OK, that makes sense. I need to make another trek up that way, we're talking about next year so we'll see.

 

LOL I was just kidding BB, I know it wasn't you, he wasn't salty at all...

 

I prefer a pier a little farther north. Avon and Buxton are great for spreading out and surfing alone. Even the lighthouse spreads out.

 

That would be the one exception. But really, how many of us who live on the east coast actually have that issue? If I was to be extremely generous maybe 5 percent but I'm guessing more like 1 percent. I really think a lot of these surfers who exhibit localism are surfers who never get out and surf other breaks. Who go to the same tired spot every time a swell rolls around. If they did travel and enjoy experiencing new surroundings I believe (or would hope) that they would see how ridiculous it is.

 

Dang man, you’re so worldly. You must be one of them “woke” fellas.
I don’t speak for anyone else, but I certainly see what BB was saying. I’m fortunate enough financially and with health to be able to make trips each year. 6-8 quick EC runs and 1 bigger trip. I live here on the gulf because my wife is from here and it makes her happy. We take multiple trips a year because she knows it makes me happy. Anytime I travel, I obey protocol. Though honestly I usually actively search for low crowd areas.
80% of the surfable waves here are not great. When it’s on, it’s great. There are a few spots that work much better in any condition because of the artificial reef project. There is always the usual crew that has really good time. Being a tourist spot, we always have a few new faces. Most of the time they are cool, share the stoke, and add to the experience.
Sometimes, we get duechebags from Gashville, Tn or other such hipster locales that show up in their range rovers or bmws and try (probably unintentionally) to disrupt the session with their intitled khunt attitudes. They are easy to spot. The have gel in their hair and a kumrug beard, giving looks of who the Fock are we.
Call it localism or whatever you like. I’ve never gotten into anything physical over surfing and really have never had to experience more then a couple drop ins and dirty looks while in a new/travelled to spot. Like most others have said. Give them their space and take it as it comes. But we wait for a blue moon here for it to get really good. Of course the line ups will be thick when it is on, and it is usually a good group that’s out. But Fock any douche that is there once a year that tries to take over one of the spots with attitude.
My $.02
And yes, I hear what you were saying. You just seem very quick to judge. I’m sure you’re a good guy. Peace

 

Not my opinion. How it was. Maybe not anymore.

I started surfing.
Saw the local crew over there.
Said, that is the goal. Someday.
Paddled out 2 bars down safe distance.
Up the street from where i was born, mind you.
Soon as i hit the water, guy comes flyin' down from said peak,
Kicks out in shorebreak spraying me in the face, says get out of the way kook.
All good. I respected that.
I was a kook.
After my first winter i was out there with them.
It's actually quite beautiful.
You work at something and you earn something.

 

You nailed it. And to boot, we are content with our said same tired spot. To each its own i guess. Your ridiculous is my stoke.
Lightning bolt. Pure stoke.