Localism Article

I can't open the link. Is anyone else having trouble opening it up?

 

here i fixed it
http://www.surfnewsnetwork.com/feat...eres-a-good-article-that-puts-some-sense-back

 

"Take a breath. Respect each other. Respect the waves."

I'm glad that this quote will mark my 100 post milestone.

 

That is awesome for 100!

 

Greatly appreciated, rcarter. 101 goes out to you.

 

I agree with much of this article but not all. Surfing is the only thing I know of where the people that live nearest the resource (the ocean), pay the taxes to maintain the roads near the resource, use the resource to make a living, clean up the resource on a regular basis, give up larger incomes to be close to the resource etc and yet are not allowed to take some sense of ownership in the resource. If this is how things work then everyone from here has the right to show up at some random skatepark stuck in the middle of the country, when the temperature and sun is just right, when the cutest girls are hanging out and take it over, displacing everyone who uses the park everyday, and expect to be welcomed like conquering heros? And we can do this even though we can't skate for crap but just because the skatepark is on public property? Doesn't sound right does it?

 

not even reading it. Reading is for kooks. I'm better than you.

 

I suck at surfing, not gonna lie. I surf as much as I can and I am getting better. I also live at the beach (see Zippy's comment), but whenever I see a buch of boards in the water I just keep walking until I'm alone. I get the "stoke" philosophy, I also get that some people have put in the time, have the scars and been around long enough to look at me and say, "Not this one, bro, this one is mine". I don't want to be that person, although if I'm honest, I know there will be a day when I get all snarky with someone who is out there just trying to get better...kind of like I used to be.

 

No worries sreeder, your day will come. At that point, you can determine how to act in the water. Regardless of your future, don't take purplewhatever's advice: reading is not for kooks.

 

No problem with a beginner out there trying to get better. No problem with someone from far inland coming to surf. The only problem is expecting the locals to take a back seat while you have your beach day (not directed at anyone in particular). I was sitting all alone yesterday and turned and saw a couple of kids paddling out, not a problem. They paddle to the peak side of the sand bar and just as they arrive a set wave comes, I turn to go and just as I do the kid closest to me says are you going, ok go ahead. I paddled back out and said it's not for you to tell me to go or not to go, I'll tell you. I said this in a calm cool manner and the kid got the point and paddled down the beach a bit. Turns out the kid that was giving me the ok to go could hardly stand up.

 

Congradulations on 100, not much localism in Texas, probably not enough surfers. We can always move down 100 yards.

 

good point. but what if the kid could rip? doesn't it ultimately come down to skill? if you show up somewhere other than your local and you're the best one out (or one of the best ones out ) and respectfully make that clear with your actions, what's anyone gonna say? let your surfing speak for itself...

 

Everything is bigger in Texas - except the waves (joke). In all honesty, I have wanted to surf Texas since "Step Into the Liquid." The tanker surf scene looks like a ton of fun - I want to bring a log down and ride forever. On a side note, Sterling Spencer rips.

 

Yeah that is true but my point is they paddled out to the mediocre spot that I had been struggling to eek out a decent wave for the last 30 minutes and went right by me. Until I saw his skill level my only recourse would have been to start paddling once I could tell where they were going to try to close that 30 foot gap between me and the most likely spot for the set wave to break. To be honest I hate doing that, and wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt that they would let at least the next set wave come to me before they would work into the rotation. Either way we had no more issues after those few words and the two of them moved far enough away that I'm sure their session as well own was much less stessfull.

 

Yeah he does! Our waves are definately not bigger, but from what I hear they haven't been too good on the east coast either. We do have our days though. Maybe I'll see you down here sometime. Water stays warm till late October!

 

Localism... I get it. But I only see it as a way to help a beginner or kook not do something stupid. To teach, guide, help.

I don't know any easy going, nice, cool people on land that turn into a holes in the water. They are a holes on land first - probably yelling when they get cut off in their car.

 

Yelling seems to me like a perfectly rational response to someone acting irresponsibly, ignoring rules and endangering you, either on a crowded road or lineup. Why would yelling at someone who does that make you an "a hole"? How about the calling person actually causing the problem an a hole.

Just a thought.

 

it might be more rational to take a breath and count to ten. then either converse with the guy in a more civil tone or maybe just let it go and enjoy surfing.

but that is not easy to do. especially if you've just been run over by a Kayak.

 

how does the offender learn if you just let it go. I agree to cool off then talk, but not the 'let it go' part.