Westport surfing question
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Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12422
Printed Date: 23 May 2025 at 1:56am
Topic: Westport surfing question
Posted By: DonL
Subject: Westport surfing question
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2012 at 3:56pm
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I am going to be staying at the beach at Westport, WA this weekend through early next week. I want to bring my playboat to try a little surfing. I have not play boated in the surf at Westport before so I wanted to get some local knowledge from others who have surfed around out there at the Jetty, Groins etc. What wave height and period should I look for for max fun while not getting slammed. Best time of day typically? How is the climate with the surfers etc.? Any bits of beta you folks might share would be much appreciated.
Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark47n
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2012 at 5:00pm
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Stay away from the Groins and hang further to the south. The boardies get grumpy if kayaks start to stray up there. To avoid getting worked over, try to stay >6' wit (I think) a 11-13 sec period. Keep in mind that trying to get out of the surf zone in a WW boat is a lot of work so don't kill yourself trying to get to the outside. ------------- You mean I'm supposed to wear something UNDER my spray skirt? Where's the fun in that? |
Posted By: DonL
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 11:13am
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Thanks Mark for the information!
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Posted By: Scott_H
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 11:38am
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I had some fun last year taking my playboat down south a bit to Graylands and just playing around in the chopped up little breakers closer to shore. I found the bigger waves a bit intimidating. The plus of Graylands is you can drive your car right out onto the beach and set up a base camp right there on the shore - my wife appreciated that part. The other advantage is that it has no surfers since the break sucks.
If you have surfed before - ignore the above. I hadn't and found that messing around in the little stuff was a nice intro with nobody around giving me the stink eye. ------------- “The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” |
Posted By: DonL
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 1:25pm
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Thanks Scott. Very helpful. With spouse and 5 yr. old in tow may be the way to go.
Don |
Posted By: oukr9965
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 7:49am
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Heading to Westport on Sunday to go tuna fishing. Not bringing my boat, but maybe I'll reconsider. Talked to a guy at one of the surf shops there last year and he mentioned that they see paddlers out there periodically. Seemed nice enough, but maybe I'm too niave when it comes to surfers and boaters. Never really made much sense to me why'd there be an issue to begin with. Anyways, if I see you out there I'll stop and say hi and probably have a cold one for you. Cheers. ------------- -Lanson |
Posted By: DonL
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 10:14am
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Sounds good. I'll be staying at a place just south of the jetty. White and blue Pyranha, Red helmet.....not standing on a board.
cheers Don |
Posted By: fiddleyak
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 10:22am
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Westport is a pretty shallow break close to shore. The few times I've gone to kayak surf there I've been disappointed. It would be possible to hit your head pretty hard. Certainly not a place to learn how to kayak surf or learn how to deal with surfers. The area south of the jetty could be fun to paddle around in
I usually look for wave periods greater than 12-13s. The "star" rating in predictions is usually a good indicator of quality. Google "westport surf forecast" |
Posted By: autonomicpilot
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 3:49pm
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Regarding the advice to stear clear of board surfers...I disagree. Actually, make it a point to paddle exactly where board surfers are because that's usually where the best waves are. Also, make sure they know that you're staying right there and not going any where else. If a board surfer starts running their mouth...just ignore them because they're usually doing it to impress their board surfer friends. If they try to start a fight then--if you're up for it--very calmly remind them that as a kayaker you naturally carry a weapon (paddle). You might get hastled, but only temporarily. The bottom line is to make sure you can control your boat and are not a hazard to anyone AND don't snake waves--remember to give up a few and / or take your turn. Once you're a regular visitor to a particular break folks will leave you alone. Of course, all of this really only applies to areas with a point break. Open beach breaks are generally more spread out such that you can find an area all to yourself. |
Posted By: Meghan
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 3:51pm
| Surfers hate everyone, including each other. Just check out the forum on Swellinfo.com. |
Posted By: TastyWaves
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 8:12pm
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It definitely takes a certain etiquette to be respected as a boater out in the lineup but its plenty doable. If you go for the waves that the surfers aren't catching that helps, and try and find your own space as much as possible. Surfers often have to be very, very patient when it comes to getting a good wave count. So when they've paid their dues, waited for the right conditions, etc. only to be beaten by a guy in a plastic boat, grumpiness ensues.. I rembember a day at the crescent bay in westport and I was on my board while Hawthorne was charging in his kayak, he didn't seem to have any issues. Be respectful, courteous, and chill, and you should be golden. ------------- Wise men say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza. |
Posted By: Mark47n
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2012 at 6:51am
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Board surfers are, understandably, nervous around kayaker. When we wipe out we don't stop...now we're an out of control projectile and no one know where we're gong or what that paddle's going to do. Additionally, surfers get frustrated that we can catch so many more waves in spite of poor positioning and setup, to say nothing of etiquette. In my experience, it's best to steer clear of them at the outset. When they start to crowd me, however, I don't budge. ------------- You mean I'm supposed to wear something UNDER my spray skirt? Where's the fun in that? |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2012 at 11:22pm
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Unless you are legitimately a board surfer and can competently ride waves and negotiate the surf zone, please do not comment. I thank the comment regarding the patience and time paid that it takes to become a decent surfer, as it is much harder than most people think.
I started boating when I was 8 or 9 years old, in wood and canvas canoes none the less. Royalex was utilized for whitewater trips, and a few Kevlar boats floated me at times too. Life took me out of boats and a few years later onto boards in the surf zone. Unlike playboating at, say, Turkey Shoot, ocean waves are a limited resource made even more rare in quality when local winds and tides are factored in. Westport is a beach break and it has been mentioned in this thread that point breaks harbor even more tension and that is an entirely different discussion. Simple point is this: as boaters, we surf waves in a different manner (generally. True surf kayakers with optimzed gear excepted). Paddle power and at what stage of a wave breaking that it can be caught by what craft is another. It is harder, even on a longboard, to catch a wave because your hands just don't have the paddle power of a kayak blade. Safety is another concern and unless you are prepared to deal with the surf zone you could be setting yourself and others up for trouble, no different than putting on a river a bit too above your level. I surfed for a long time without a leash because it taught me a lot about being deliberate. I still try not to use it as a crutch but only as an "in case" I need it device. The time before the last time I paddled out my leash broke while on the initial voyage for the day and that only made me a little more reserved. I still took off late and deep, but mainly pulled out early and certainly fought harder to get back into the outside. What does that have to do with surf kayaking? Knowledge. To be honest, I do not want to kayak in a surf zone as I have too much fun on my feet. That and without a real surf kayak (basically a marriage between a surfboard as the hull and a deck for the paddler above that), any WW playboat that doesn't accept fins would be too slow once trying to go "down the line," and too unresponsive without fins. Does not mean it can't be fun, just not my persuit, that's all. Remember, ocean waves are a limited resource, unlike standing river waves. Yes, a river wave can be gone tomorrow, even later that day if the river is that flashy. But tides, winds, swell direction, period, height, and their relation to break bathemetry are generally not issues playboaters have to worry about. Just levels, generally. It's a few hour window of opportunity for the possibility to have a decent breaking wave (beach break. Points are more consistent but may be more finicky with tides and period). Surfers have to put in a ton of time to get good, and even a good surfer does not have the speed a kayak has and thus not the ability to catch waves a kayak has. There is also a huge difference between stationary planing and kinetic planing. In the former (think Turkey, Snowblind) you aren't really moving but the speed of the water below you interacts with your planing hull. In surfing, the water itself doesn't really move until the lip has pitched, your planing comes from being in actual motion, the curl of the unbroken wave face providing an offering to exploit gravity. Being inside the barrel is beyond my abilty to explain, but the feeling is timelessness. Consider yourself in all I've just thrown out there, consider yourself a surfer and you've put in your time, and you're in the right spot and you have a craft that can actually ride the wave down the line (along the breaking direction of the curling, unbroken face of the wave with your direction of travel nearly parallel to the shore) and a novice boater or boarder isn't paying attention and drops in and just heads towards shore (perpendicular to to shore and the ridable wave face) terminally interrupting your ride. Beach breaks are notorious for disappearing channels and other f¥ck ¥ou moments when you are trying to get back outside the break. It's an equation of effort and payoff. As well, someone mentioned making sure they go where surfers are because that is usually where better waves are us untrue when it comes to beach breaks. That is part of their beauty. As well, be wary of wave periods over 15/16 seconds as the wave tends to be too fast, deep, and too wide to exploit sand bars. Especially if the height is over six feet. This can translate to eight foot high hollow close out sets that will send many board and boat back to shore thinking nothing more of where to get a bite to eat. Point breaks can handle this activity (every spot is different, but generally....), some beaches too, but not only do you need exquisite sandbars, but a hell of a lot o talent as such a swell will generally tube up a but and a pitching lip doles out punishment with little regard for anything. Quick note, for starters, an on shore wind (from ocean to land), 2-3' swell at about 10 seconds is great to start. Tides are dependent on what the sandbars are up to, but know that waves arrive in sets. When it seems to have settled into a lull, quickly paddle towards shore, roll over, and extend your paddle deep to check depth. Roll up, quickly paddle back out. This will help you gauge comfort with the situation. Now's the time, too, as the Alutians aren't cranking yet. Ok, back to my drivel: in river etiquette this is akin to sitting in an upstream eddy while someone surfs a feature down stream, then just peeling out and headif right toward them (oh, and they do not have eddy service to the feature, think Granny's) with no intention of surfing. If you have a true surf kayak I hope your approach is akin to that of a board surfer. This statement pertains to lurkers in this thread. I, as a surfer, always give up waves to other surfers unless experience dictates they aren't in the right spot for the wave anyway. As said, the room for errorwhen catching a wave on a board is much smaller than in a boat due to speed and float. Oh, and the last time I got worked (over the falls, oh yeah) in the surf I remember thinking how much it would suck to be in a boat compared to not. Just something to thing about. That was in just overhead surf that was lightly barreling at the peak. The very lack of buoyancy a board has compared to a boat equals lack of retention and therefore getting driven deeper, but not being held onto by the wave energy as well. It really isn't simple. It really isn't all about bad attitudes. It really is addictive and beautiful. It really is its own thing, the whole way around. ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Mark47n
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2012 at 1:32pm
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I don't think anyone said board surfing is simple, but catching rides in a 'yak is simple. I also like, and agree with, your assessment of a surf kayak. A board with a deck. While I've certainly been the giant fiberglass missile hurtling down a big wave (surfing sea kayaks) I tend to do it where I have plenty of room. Also, it's really scary to be caught in the wave (think Maytag)and you can't stop. This includes WW boat, Sea boats and surf kayaks. You, in your boat, holding on for dear life as you tumble down waves hurtling towards the beach wondering when you'll have a chance to roll back up or crash into the bottom. I've seen some crazy out of control surf boaters (all kinds of boats) and seen both close calls and some wicked collisions. I've been stuck surfing down a wave, my bow diving deeper and deeper until I've pitchpoled an 18' boat and landed it. the surfers steered as clear of me as I did of them. Fortunately, the folks I go surfing with steer WAY clear of the boardies, both for their safety and to make sharing the waves a bit easier and less stressful for them. It's about courtesy as much as safety. So, that's, generally the etiquette here. We self segregate by our choice of craft. ------------- You mean I'm supposed to wear something UNDER my spray skirt? Where's the fun in that? |
Posted By: autonomicpilot
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2012 at 1:53pm
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Like anything else, it boils down to how much time you spend doing it before you realize what works and what does not work. Logging lots of days with a boat and a board also helps. As for type of boat, I couldn't imagine anything better than my old Riot boat on a long-board wave on a head-high day. Days like that delivery nothing but long rides and fat blunts. Had such a day last weekend in Oregon...until my backband broke (lol), which is a problem you don't have with a board. |
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2012 at 9:55pm
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Originally posted by Mr.Grinch Unless you are legitimately a board surfer and can competently ride waves and negotiate the surf zone, please do not comment. I won't comment, but have a question: If you're not a great surfer, how do you become great if surfers get angry at you for trying? When I surfed a longboard in Hawaii I definitely got some bad vibes/words from surfers that were better than me. I waited my turn and never dropped in on anybody... I get that there are a finite number of waves, and therefor a limited number of people who get to use them, but who decides who is worthy of trying? Full disclosure, I've only been kayaking surfing in the ocean once, and I hardly even playboat... I'm glad this mindset doesn't seem to occur on creeks... maybe that's part of the reason that's all I do!  ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: TastyWaves
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2012 at 1:12am
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There are 2 keys to becoming a surfer (for someone who didn't grow up surfing or start at a younger age): 1-Patience 2-You have to move to the beach Spend 4-6 months surfing every day, and you'll have learned enough to get on the right track. From there it takes a solid 4-10 years to get legitimately good depending on how often you surf, how quality the waves are where you chose to become a surfer, and certainly depends in part on how athletic you are, and how small you are. The smaller/lighter the better. The biggest problem I see that most people have when they come to surfing from another sport, is adjusting to the slow learning curve. Snowboarders/Skiiers/Boaters/Climbers are used to sports where you can try until you fall down, and then get back up and keep going. If you're really driven maybe you put in a solid 6 hour effort for the day. I became a pretty solid snowboarder after just 4 months doing a full season and riding every day. Surfing is different. Way slower. Probably 10 times as difficult to learn and improve. You can't practice until you are patient enough to be in the water at the right conditions for your level. Its rare to log more than 2-3 hours a day in the water and during that time as a beginner you spend 90% of the time sitting, not knowing what to do, missing waves that a better surfer would have caught, etc. Its a a slow learning curve, but if you know what you're up against from the beginning it helps to relax and realize that you have a long way to go, and you're just going to paddle out again one more time tomorrow because its fun. If you have fun and want to go back for more, and you do that consistently, the rest falls into place. If you're not willing to live at the beach and wait for the conditions to be right, you have to get comfortable with the fact that you'll most likely never be a strong surfer. Surfing is a sport where it really, really pays to take a few lessons. If you don't have an accomplished surfer to take you under their wing, it can really go a long way to take some lessons and get on the right track from the beginning. ------------- Wise men say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza. |
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2012 at 3:20pm
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The same could be said for kayaking. I wasn't really asking how to practice, but how are you supposed to practice if your peers hate you? That was my experience, and what was discussed in this thread earlier. I'm glad I rarely see this attitude in kayakers. It certainly is aimed at kayakers... even legally! /media/photoview.asp?File_Id=5084">  ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2012 at 8:50pm
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The Wedge in SoCal prohibits surfboards during certain times of the day in certain seasons due to their inherent danger compared to soft boogie boards. Kayaks being banned from breaks are due to uninformed and irresponsible people creating tha situation. There are also beaches where, depending on where you are in the water, when you look ashore the parallax setup of certain signs will read "no" meaning no to certain groups (I've seen it years ago in passing but forget the details, other than to distinguish different areas of the break for different riders.) I've seen all surfers:boards, boats, and bodies banned from other parts of beaches so bathing people don't have as much to worry about.
I edited and re-edited my post and still messed some things up. Please forgive me, a phone is all I have for internets. I meant to say that if you aren't or at least haven't been a competent board surfer and lived that lifestyle, please don't make generalized comments. I was homeless in 2001 and though I had a job, I slept on the beach. I started surfing. When I saved enough money, I got a shack near the beach. This continued for years. It is true that surfing is one of those lifestyles that is easy to become enamored with, hard to let go of, yet even harder to progress in. I currently only have a longboard. I used to have a bunch of boards for different moods and wave conditions. Now, this is my do-all, be-all for how much time I get in the ocean. Last time I surfed, after almost two hours and coming to shore for some water, a few friends on the beach were around and one remarked how he wished he had his longboard instead of the smaller board he had. I was feeling amped and switched boards for the next session. I don't know how his session went, but I was overjoyed and apt to take advantage of my body remembering how to surf a short(ish) board. No regrets whatsoever and a few handshakes from unknown people after my last ride. I'd say it's like riding a bike, but the road doesn't move while you're riding it, and you don't have to catch it to begin with. I credit the time and dedication I put in in Cali. Once again, what does my drivel have to do with any of this? Once again it boils down to experience. It is untrue that te best place to sit is where the most surfers are. Especially if you are greedy, unreliable, dangerous, and do not make the most of the waves you do catch. Surfers judge each other his way, and judge kayakers in the lineup harder because many we see there do not seem to either know nor abide the etiquette. How do you become better in such a confusing and potentially hostile yet magical and rewarding place? Baby steps. Don't go for the peak if you can't surf the foam, at least. Don't go for the peeling breakers if you can't trim. Dedication is huge in surfing because you are responsible for yourself. Nobody is gonna throw you a rope, and if you are unprepared to be pinned to the sea floor, keep your cool, and work with the ocean dynamic, then don't get into situations that can potentially lead to such situations. Just like whitewater. If you are unprepared to be pinned, strained, or seived, and your crew isn't ready for the possibility, don't go where those possibilities are. I'm not prepared for some kayaking situations inherent in cl IV, so you won't find me there. If I get there, it'll only be because I'm sure I should be there and that I'm sure the potential for disaster is as much offset as possible by the experience of all of us on the water. Surfin can be quite dangerous, though not as inherently dangerous as whitewater. Still, the limited resource aspect is what drives aggression in the lineup. I have yet to see a surf kayak at Pipeline when it's on. Te'ahupoo, don't even joke. Maybe one day, but boaters are a ways away in craft development and skill to tackle the heavies. Shipstern's Bluff? No way. Though boofing the six foot barrel forming on the face of a twenty foot hollow monster that is basically the ocean folding over on itself sounds fun. Not. Just like Parrot Ice (pair-a-dice, Paradise, etc) might be a good feature, might not be the best to begin on. Rodeo as well. Accessible, but when it's on, might not be for beginners. Of course, they're generally safe enough downstream, but for someone looking to learn, it might not be the wisest choice. I'm not a good playboater, though I am competent enough to hit those spots. I've enjoyed the Green solo, some of my best cartwheels on a feature! I've surfed some sketchy spots solo, too. One sketchy aspect is one whitewater will never have: sharks. But ocean surfing doesn't have sieves, strainers, undercuts, or holes. Anyway, until I hear about a trout attack, and since I've seen someone get bitten by a shark, surfing north of Monterrey has the wildlife while in action factor. It really is unnerving to be pinned underwater by a wave. While sitting in the lineup, I may be ten or more feet deep. As swells roll in, ya might get caught by a lip and driven down. Just like having to swim out of a hole, it is all about being prepared and aware. Back to progression and beginning with surfing. It will most likely, this time of year, be easy to get outside the break. If it happens to be a day with many surfers, and good conditions, the hardest thing to realize will once again be the manner in which boaters are accustomed to surfing vs how boarders approach it. This is not at all to say that boaters cannot realize nor try to follow a breaking wave along the curl, merely saying again that surfing a stationary wave is different than trimming. A good surfer can make short work of quite a bit of distance if the wave has even a minimal amount of peel to it. If the wave is hollow enough, being inside the tube can provide an insane amount of speed. Doesn't take much, too. I've gained serious speed on my longboard in tubes I've crouched to fit in. Single fin, of course. This harkens back to my remark about boats with fins. I got a DR Thrusters years ago because it accepted fins. I thought it'd be a good dual purpose dedicated playboat and surf kayak hybrid. I'm sure it is, but that seat was never comfortable so i sold it. Still, that boat was an excellent hybrid in my limited experience. I should have don't what Brett suggested and just gone full foam for outfitting instead of using stock plastic. Whatever, I love the feeling of surfing while standing when it comes to the dynamics of ocean waves. Boats do much better when dealing with stationary waves, IMHO. To progress in surfing is to stay out of the people who are better than you, for your sake and theirs. Start by riding the foam, traveling perpendicular to shore. Slowly progress to catching unbroken waves and then learning how to do a bottom curve. From there learn how to trim along a peeling face (this is where bad vibes begin, as riding the breaking direction of a wave is the goal, thus the goal of better surfers you'll have to compete against. Never drop in, though). Familiarize yourself with the commonly accepted etiquette, and allow to know that every place may have a tweak or two of the rules, locals favored of course due to the limited resource. When it comes to beaches, never underestimate the will of people to pack together. My best trick in surfing is to spot the unridden break and exploit it while others are packed together in a crowd. I cannot stress this creativity more when it comes to beach breaks. It doesn't apply well to points/reefs, but Westport is a beach, even with the jetty. My experience allows me to maximize my out of the pack lineup, but it pays for itself in less hassle between me and others in the water. I remember remarking many months ago when a few things clicked with me and running cl-III/IV as a playground that the group dynamic, overall, on the river is more fun than in the ocean lineup. I still love that. However, given the choice, I'd rather be in the tube. Surfing is, to me, that powerful a drug. I'll bring my toy out sometime for you who are interested. Google carveboard for more info. Inflatable tires on a skateboard, oh my. |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2012 at 10:24am
| You typed all that on a phone? Dude you are a tap master! |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2012 at 12:11pm
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I still dream about surfing. My nightmares are when I can see the waves and can't get to them.
I still enjoy the social aspect of kayaking a whole lot, though. The paddling part ain't that bad either. Nothing like the tube, though. ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: dave
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2012 at 4:09pm
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Westport, Westhaven beach is a great kayak playboat surf spot. Never had a problem with other surfers there, everyone has been real freindly, even when I ran a guy over. ------------- Nomad |
Posted By: brig
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2012 at 2:43pm
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Originally posted by dave
Westport, Westhaven beach is a great kayak playboat surf spot. Never had a problem with other surfers there, everyone has been real freindly, even when I ran a guy over. Well put Dave, answered the OP's question.....and in one sentence no less!  ------------- Chris B. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2012 at 6:09pm
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Originally posted by brig
Originally posted by dave
Westport, Westhaven beach is a great kayak playboat surf spot. Never had a problem with other surfers there, everyone has been real freindly, even when I ran a guy over. Well put Dave, answered the OP's question.....and in one sentence no less! Sorry. I love surfing too much not to ramble on about it. I got very deep into the lifestyle and though I don't get to do it often enough, it is my heroin. Understandably some people will have bad experiences, but plenty of positive ones are to be had. It is a complex social situation when out in the lineup, and I've been on both ends of the stick. Truth be told, I'd like to know what Dave has to report about conditions when he was there (wave heights and period, tides, wind direction, his overall experience in surfing and how the waves were breaking that day. All this can be a contributing factor to who is in the lineup that day-really good surfers generally won't be found in crap conditions, and I they are, they're generally much more mellow. At least that is how I do it). It may be simple to say that you ran someone over in your boat. But who was that person? As a surfer and a kayaker, I'd be livid if a kayaker didn't know how to handle their craft and ran me over. It is a safety issue. I take same issue with people who use leashes with disregard to who their now somewhat loose board may hit. I try to never let my leash see tension, which means my board is in my control all the time. Too many words, I know, so I'll just go play with my dog! Adios! ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2012 at 9:20am
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http://www.canoekayak.com/whitewater-kayak/end-game-tao-berman/ - http://www.canoekayak.com/whitewater-kayak/end-game-tao-berman/ ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2012 at 11:31pm
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIBgWI_BTyM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Let us get back to basics here. Surfing in the ocean is a different ball of wax. The potential for less than ideal social interactions arise from various sources, some of which are unwarranted, others justly so due to lack of knowledge/lack of respect in a unique social agreement. While not as inherently dangerous as WW kayaking, surfing has a number of dangers not found on rivers. Knowledge, respect, courtesy, and above all, honesty about the situation will get one very far of they wish to endeavor. Just like WW. We're well past the O.P.'s question on this, but I'm gla we're talking about it (or that I'm at least trying to expunge my take on it for whatever sake). I remember surfing one of my shortboards at a break in NorCal years ago, and a few older guys with longboards showed up and hogged all the waves. A week or two goes by and the same people are all there, but I'm on my longboard as well. I couldn't help it, I got revenge and abused the situation. They didn't share with me before, so I worked hard to make sure they didn't get much that day. Vengeance isn't a virtue, but neither is greed. Surfing can do strange things to people. Many good things. Some are just odd. ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2012 at 9:49pm
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Originally posted by Mr.Grinch I worked hard to make sure they didn't get much that day. Vengeance isn't a virtue, but neither is greed. Surfing can do strange things to people. Many good things. Some are just odd. That's exactly the attitude that I have seen in surfers and really didn't care for. It's hard to get better or even start a sport when the people already doing it are out to get you. That happens a lot in surfing. SYOTR ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: huckin harms
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2012 at 8:22am
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sharks! ------------- |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 5:31pm
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Originally posted by Travisimo
Originally posted by Mr.Grinch That's exactly the attitude that I have seen in surfers and really didn't care for.It's hard to get better or even start a sport when the people already doing it are out to get you. That happens a lot in surfing.SYOTRI worked hard to make sure they didn't get much that day. Vengeance isn't a virtue, but neither is greed. Surfing can do strange things to people. Many good things. Some are just odd. Taking a snippet out of the story, which wasn't complete to begin with, makes us both look bad. The guys I did this to were "regulars" at the beach I lived at (as someone else posted the way to get good is to move to the beach. I did, and agree with the statement). They were not good surfers, just moderately wealthy older men with longboards who abused the wave catching power of their boards over the short board I chose to surf on that day. They showed me no respect as a local (lived there for many years by that point), and I didn't say anything at the time. When the tables were evened out, I used my better ability and showed them a little lesson. One of them had once said to me that I should find a different place to surf. Took that in stride as well. An eye for an eye makes the world blind, but this was not nearly as serious, and late in that session one of them did ask me to stop taking all the waves (of course a few snuck by, but that doesn't mean they were in any position to catch them, those guys followed me because they knew I knew where to be. I learned to jockey them on my longboard, trying the same on a shortie would burn out my arms). I responded a little snarky, of course, reminding him about the session a couple of weeks before. He just kinda sulked, looked down, and said sorry. One of the other guys was too proud to admit he had been an ass, so I kept messing with him. This is in no way my normal attitude in the lineup, and I'm the first to spot decent shortboarders and give them waves that they're in position for, as I'd hope for the same. Do unto others as you will have others do unto you. When good surfers who aren't dicks recognize each other in the lineup, they start communicating about who's going which way, who's in better position, who's been waiting longer, etc. Communication, I think that helps all of us. Being cold to each other and not being helpful to the group vibe brings the whole thing down. Some people are just dicks, good surfer or bad. ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 5:50pm
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Oh, I learned a lesson a long time ago, so let me state:
No ill will, travismo! No harm meant! I know forum posts lack the inflection that would make my comments more the way I mean fo them to be taken, and people's moods affect how hey read them (at least, I know mine can). Indeed, SYOTR, Tilton last winter was fun. Killer job of self rescue in your vid, too. This goes to anyone, I know I'm blabbering on and on about surfing, but I hold it very close to my heart. I cost me a lot, but it gave me a lot as well. I know it is complex, and I know surfers have a bad rap (pretty well justified, too). I just hope to bring an honest and well experienced point of view to this subject on this forum. Doesn't make me always right vs someone else always wrong, not at all. But having lived and surfed up and down both coasts, I have seen a bit. I hope to help, and this winter, I hope to be sitting in the lineup with some of you, be it on boards or in boats.  ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: dave
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2012 at 10:39am
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I ran a surfer over when it was packed out there. He popped up out of nowhere and flipped over then I glazed his board slightly. He was cool and no damage. I have surfed there a lot over the years in different conditions and also surfed in many other spots in Washington. Westhaven has a nice easy break for kayaks and nice sloping sandy beach (not to shallow). Plus it is plenty big to avoid other people if need be. I have been out there when double red flags were flying in 10-15 foot swells with no one else out there. That is a bit big though and wont do that again... ------------- Nomad |