Newbies in the lineup

DBD's! Nobody likes a DBD, especially if he's on a SUP

 

200 yards down the line? You must be talking about Cali conditions bro... In the summer w/ no storm swell we are happy when we get a 30 yard ride round here.

 

Put "The Sit Test" into effect at your local break next time you're out. If the guy can't sit on the board while waiting for a wave I will drop in on him knowing he is 1 not going to catch the wave or 2 fall immediately on take off or 3 if he takes off only going to ride the wave straight in anyway.

If he can sit, and he's got the inside but takes off on three waves and blows it on all three (either doesn't take off or falls during take off) then he gets paddled around and/or dropped in on and can't be trusted to make the most of the wave.

* The statments above assume that the waves are rideable (over 2'). I don't care if I get dropped in on in knee high conditions. It's not like I was gonna be able to do anything anyway...

 

I try to stay away from these blogs as its mostly haters out there...BUT, I am surprised how brave (translate irresponsible) newer surfers are on bigger swell days like the one we had other weekend in Monmouth County and are bothered for their...and my wellbeing as they flop around the white water 50 yards in front of me—it kind of makes for bum ride knowing that there are potential speed bumps out there. When I was a new surfer, I would sit on the beach and watch the big boys surf but I guess everyone feels "entitled" these days...
If a newer surfer is reading this, respect the ocean, be smart and know your boundaries--don’t endanger yourself and others.

 

i have way more problems with experienced longboarders than i do newbies. Newbies are generally clueless and innocent...they typically wont take off deep, cant read waves and cant paddle very fast to set themselves up at the peak.

Experienced longboarders, on the other hand are driving me nuts the last couple weeks. Just because you CAN sprint paddle 20 yards to intercept a peak thats coming right at me, and catch it further outside than i can on my shortboard, doesnt mean you SHOULD.

 

That is just bad F'n manners, and you have a moral obligation to address that in whichever way you feel is appropriate and effective. But before it gets to that, you better be chasing down that peak, too. He may be thinking you don't want it, or just don't care, and is taking advantage of your inaction. If you paddle out further, to get it at the peak, and he's racing you for the wave, he's just being a pr!ck.

 

Having surfed in this area most of my life and many other locations, I just enjoy getting wet! Do I get irritated with newbie's, No, but I can with kooks, but I just shake my head in wonder, smile and continue to shred! The best thing is when I get to have a session with both my boys and some friends. Aloha

 

Yeah thats what I see alot and it people standing in waist high water on the inside dropin in behind me as I go by them . They think cause I go by them and they are in the foam they can seak past me or something?

I can see if you are going for the same wave as them on you are both paddling for it and its happening over and over agian that pretty messed up of that person. But, if you just sitting there not making any type act of paddlin for the wave . Then I dont see what your getting bent out of shape about. Not everyone is a mind reader and not everyone stays in one spot and catch waves

 

spongers are bad down south in nc they will drop in on you and they only come out for the good swells and they piss me off so much, like one once grabbed my leash when i was pumping down the line. and another borrowed my wax and got sand in it and that pissed me off alot.

 

hahaha. yea screw kids that get sand in your wax.

 

Seriously?

 

it's refreshing to see not everyone is hating on "newbies". after a way too long break, i'm just getting back in the water. it's really just some common sense, knowing when to stay out of the way and respect for the people around you.

 

Exactly. Unfortunately, common sense seems to dissipate in the summer.

 

even the most aggro guys rarely hate on newbs. it's the kooks that piss people off and as stated on here many times, a newb is not a kook.

 

yup..exactly...I'm going out for it and spinning around when these guys swoop in from down the line and hop up outside of you on the slopey part you can only catch with longboard momentum. Sure Ive said something calmly to them but these guys are about the "first up" concept...first up has rights/keeps riding no matter where they are in relation to you or the pocket. whatever.

 

Remember, we were all beginners at one once..........show them the way....good karma always comes back around.....

 

yea i know how that is, on the east coast there is always the older guy in sunglasses with the longboard hoggin everything. But if i see a newbie i actually try to help them out. I remember when i was learning, i mean we always are learning but you know. its hard catching waves especially if your on the east coast so these guys dont have much of a chance. but its all true about kooks and newbies newbies are usually really respectfull wait there turn, ask for advice, and really listen. and then the kooks just ride everysingle wave of everysingle wave and push down your head if you are paddleing out. i hate that crap

 

I've discovered the importance of helping out newbies anyway possible. I know they wont catch the best waves but I also dont want them to be sitting in the takoff zone and not paying attention. so if we educate them on proper etiquet and give them some tips on surfing better that info may indead help everyone catch more waves and have more fun in the water. If everyone is getting some good waves and we're cheering them on then the stoke can only get better for everyone and the kooks will also behave (most of the time). Sometimes its also good to just give people some waves. I've certainly had my share over the years so why should I get upset, right? There will always be the kook that decides to wave hog or sit right in your way or run over to your wave while your setting up, even on a diffferent peak. I hate that the most. What I'll do if that happens is I'll pretend to be racing for a wave, They'll see me and follow, hoping to snake me but then they're suddenly out of position or tired and I'm still sitting in the proper takeoff zone. works almost every time. That strategy should be in the "How to Deal with Kooks" journal.