Hello and Making SI Great Again

Long time no see Bbop. To me, a beginner is someone who can barely catch a wave or maybe not at all. Those that can catch a wave in this category, probably cannot do a proper bottom turn and aren't going to be trimming or going down the line very much. It's pretty much hold on for dear life going straight. Intermediate means they can catch waves under head high and complete a proper bottom turn and be able to ride down the line while having good lineup etiquette. Everything else is just extra and will put you closer or in the advanced category.

 

intermediates know the proper leash technique.what's with the Hanson username? welcome dude...or chick?

 

Hooked you up with a report dog, now we're even.

 

I've been surfing for 6 years. There are many days I still consider myself a beginning surfer.

My two senses on this;
A novice surfers is a surfer that can't catch an unbroken wave and surfs straight to shore.

A beginning surfer can catch an unbroken wave, do an angled take off, negotiate a bottom turn.

An intermediate surfer can do all of the above with stylee and grace on the regular and get back up the face, hit the lip then get back and make the section on the regular.
I guess that's three senses...

feel free to add, delete or flame me and my comments.

 

Wellcomme.

I'll ask, what difference does it make how you are classified as a surfer? I mean who cares what label you attatch to your skill set? There's no handicapping at surf spots beyond how you actually perform when you're in the water. But nobody's gonna say "Hey, beat it, you're only a beginner not an intermediate" due to some label. The only place you might need some classification would be in some surf school or something of that sort. Or maybe if you are trying to compare yourself to others and why do you need to do that?

For the record, roughly four years into this journey, I consider myself an advanced beginner and might not progress far beyond that. That's by my own scale, according to DP I guess I'm an intermediate. But I'm having a hell of a lot of fun so IDGAF. That' s all that matters to me and that is great and I like that all the time as well.

 

Agreed. It really doesn't matter, but sometimes you just want to know where you stand, so I understand the question. Your assessment is accurate I believe btw

 

I finally got the IDGAF attitude about surfing last summer. Someone complimented me on a particular wave and I said no I suck and a guy I consider a very good surfer actually called me out and said, "STFU, Who are you comparing yourself to?" Made me think, then relax, and enjoy surfing more, and I too like that all the time as well.

 

agreed. that's why i don't care about WSL. talking about it at the bar yesterday w a couple buds, JJF getting his title. told them i like a couple other guys better, but that's just cuz of style. i know JJF can kill a lotta aspects: turns, aerials, and whateva but i personally like the style of someone charging it or trying sumtin different on the water. putting surfing on a scoring scale it's as stupid as grading essays at school - it's all first person perspective. do your own stylee, just dont get on ppl's wave like a total kookster

 

This question is being answered all wrong. Your level really depends on how many people you hit on your ride!

1-3= From DC
1-2= From PA
0-1= Beginner
0= Intermediate

 

The terms are used... to sell you boards. But that's about it.

 

From PA, can confirm that my session is a bust if I drive an hour and only hit 1-2 people while in the water

 

It's all about perspective but I'll admit that these types of labels consumed me in the past. I'm older now and know that I can hold my own in the water (or not depending on conditions). I've surfed in areas where I would probably be considered a lower intermediate surfer (gold coast and west coast) and other places where I've been the best surfer in the water. Someone in the water that is pulling airs and shotting piers will think everyone else is a kook beginner.

You asked the question though, so...

I believe a beginner surfer is someone that still gets pounded on the paddle out in small waves, turns to paddle and gets blasted in the back of the head by the white water, pearls regularly due to their positioning on the board and or ****ty wave intuition. Even when a beginner is able to bottom turn and trim down this line they are still a beginner. If a surfer of this level is out in good surf they are often a danger to themselves and others.

An intermediate surfer will have no issues getting into the lineup on a bigger day, will rarely blow a takeoff, will be able to get around sections and will be able to execute turns to stay in the pocket. Performance of basic short board maneuvers is expected (i.e., hitting the lip, floaters, cutbacks). Competence going in either direction is expected.

 

Sounds fair to me.

 

Bwahahaha, you need to aim higher!

 

I love the Surfer Mag board forum, and the companies that will have like one step-up / mini-gun model that will be for "advanced-expert"

and all 11 other models that are all for "beginner - expert"

Nice. Always Be Closing.

 

+1 excellent post, well said; rings true to reality

 

+1 so true


Third prize is a set of steak knives.

 

"From shin high -double overhead"

 

WTF does this even mean? Seriously, I've never seen it before. Can you explain it to me?