For the record, I have no problem with people who ride stand up paddle boards, if that's your thing and you know what your doing then great, have fun. Unfortunately, incompetent stand up paddle boarders far outnumber the competent ones.... You get these people who read about the "stand up paddle board craze" in the latest fitness/outdoor adventure magazine and then they run out and buy one for "exercise". Often these types have little to no experience on any type of board in the first place, making them a complete liability to be around. Put four or five or these guys out there in a crowded summer line-up and things get down right sketchy. I've seen some really close calls so far this summer. Unfortunately, I feel like its only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt....somethings gotta give
I completely agree. I actually own one to use for exercise OFF the ocean, but I have nothing but animosity for the kooks that try to surf these things. They're almost always the least skilled or respectful people in the lineup; they pose a danger to others and they abuse their ability to move faster and see further. Having met a number of people who "surf" them, I will say that not all of them intend to be this way, so I think something can actually be done about it. I take every opportunity to give them my little speech about how the sports are different, and if they want to learn to surf they should go do it on a SURFBOARD. I try to explain that the guys they see surfing these things in the media are almost all professional surfers who could both rip and be safe riding pretty much anything - that they, particularly if they've never surfed, don't have that skill and shouldn't be out there. I think we could all help out with this issue by writing letters to shops asking them to warn their customers about surfing on SUPs. I've been thinking about making a website with a well reasoned, non-confrontational letter that the shops could just point them to. For the shop owners/employees out there, would you guys be willing to distribute some flyer like this if it were respectfully done? Also, since we're telling stories - I was out in OCMD one day last summer with my GF pushing her into knee high mush on my 6'0 and this SUP guy paddles over from a few streets up and sits on top of us. So it's already apparent that the guy has no etiquette and will be a problem, but we stay there for a while and I push her into a few more. Finally, he has the balls to paddle over and tell US that we really shouldn't sit underneath him and should watch out. ...that guy was promptly informed of where he could stick his paddle.
whoever is making the SUP should put that kind of letter on every single board they sell, letting the buyer know the rules of etiquette just like u see at beach entrances
Since a lot of surfers are no better, maybe we should put them on surfboards, too. Fourth of July weekend... remember that micro swell? My brother-in-law and I and his Portuguese Water Dog pup SUPed from under a bridge, out an inlet, out to some outer shoals that looked like they had some crumblers. Too far to prone paddle even on a longboard, but definitely decent access on a SUP. We caught the last of the outgoing tide to make it easy on the way out, and once we got out there we found out it wasn't bad. There was actually a SUPable wave... maybe waist high... and clean. Nobody around us for literally a mile. Beautiful day, clear, warm water, a fun little wave, and no crowd... full on summer stoke. We surfed the bottom of the tide, then caught the incoming to get another free ride back in through the inlet. On the way back, we scooped up a bunch of mussels, cleaned them up, and took them home... tasted great for dinner with some saffron rice and grilled garden veggies. Like a buddy of mine said to me the next day... those things have their place.
The sad part about this, the "surfers" that are being talked about in this thread will never see this. Most of the SUP'ers that are being spoken about will never take the time to learn anything about the sport of surfing. Therefore, will never use this site. The letter posted at shops would help some but, my thought is most of the SUP's being discussed are bought at large box store like Cosco, Sports Authority, ect. I just wish the area that I surf would open an area just to kayakers and SUP'ers. That way everyone is happy, their out of my way and I'm out of their way. Or just wait until the waves are head+ or the need for some rubber, that usally thins the heard.
A few years ago you hardly saw one out there.Now just about everytime I surf I see one.In 5 years they might out number us.Their here to stay.
