Did you think it was all in your head? It's factual!
NPR, or National Public Radio, is one the United States’ most esteemed news service. Its thoughtful hosts and journalists are rarely given to fits hyperbole. They report the stories that are most important, most essential to our shared world.
And so, yesterday, when the Boston affiliate WBUR reported on the hatred boiling between surfers and SUPers, it became an official issue. The journalist went to Malibu and talked with surfers Zuma Jay, former Mayor of Malibu and surf shop owner:
“It’s just a matter of time until they ban ‘S.U.P.s. It’s just waiting for the first monster injury, or the first monster lawsuit. It should not be out there. It’s another safety hazard. They themselves may feel that that’s the experience they are feeling, being one with the wave. However, I don’t feel that way. And that’ s just my opinion. It is not surfing, even though they might think it is. They have a paddle, an extra appendage. I am not rushing out there with an extra appendage. It is just myself and my board.”
And Rain Lehel, who must be in the film industry:
“If they are in the line up, they piss me off! Because they can really get in the way and can kill you if they drop in on you. Several times I’ve been on a wave and a paddle boarder has tried to go for it and it’s almost taken my head off, so they can piss me off if I’m in the line up.”
Al Duka, a paddleboarder, responded to these claims:
“Surfers, they are very chauvinistic and paddle boarding is more difficult. Yes, because you have to stand up. As a surfer you just wait for the wave to come to you but with this you continuously have to be alert. You cannot drift off. You have to be at the moment.”
NPR did not end the story with an opinion on who is right and who is wrong in this conflict but they are generally ethical and do not pick a horse in a race. Just the facts. What do you think, though? Where will history write the mighty SUP?
SUPs are the next SUV killers. WTF?!! Like the mythical “rogue” SUV that careens into a Prius carrying a family of 5, the SUP is not the assailant but rather the vessel. Lets put the focus on the inexperienced SUP rider that ventures into a crowded beach break rather than the sport itself. I’ve been surfing HB since I was 12 years old and although experienced on both short and longboards, I’m new to SUPs and know when its my time to get in the waves and when to stay the hell out of there. I’ve been hit and had boards damaged by surfers of all class and skill level, so lets put a stop to the hating and just enjoy the amazing opportunity that we all have.
I’ll keep the NPR comments to myself.
really surprised no one mentioned Laird running over that guy and breaking his arm at Malibu during Marie. as far as NPR correspondents go, Chas, I’ll see your Nina Totenberg and raise you a Lakshmi Singh and Ofeibea Quist-Arcton. Don’t make me bust out my Eleanor Beardsley-Clam, either.
SUPs are hazardous kook mobiles.
Usually, quotes attributed to surfers in “mainstream” media story are pretty bad. But these, these are the creme de la proverbial creme. Such incredible dumbassery!
“You have to be continuously alert!”
“If they are in the line up, they piss me off!”
LAAAAIRD!
A local surfer was hit in the head by a SUP last year. Was knocked out, almost drowned, and had to be choppered to hospital, where he spent several weeks recovering from a fractured skull. SUPs in the surf are satan’s work.
Is the trill gone? 4 hours of a surf vs sup article and no comments?! Has the surf media beaten this dead hose too much? Have we grown tired of the media sowing distrust between kindred watermen? Is a revolt already in the works?
I think you buried the lead on this one Chas. NPR is invading your media space, dropping in on YOUR proverbial set wave, and the best you can muster is a bit of sarcasm? They should have at least talked to two of the leading authorities of our beloved sport: you and Laird. (BTW have you ever met Laird? I bet he doesn’t like your smoking? Have you quite yet…. ah I digress yet again)
I welcome NPR with such open arms! Years spent driving, listening to Carl Kasell, Robert Siegel, Linda Wertheimer, Bob Edwards, Scott Simon, Nina Totenberg….I could go on all day…have made me feel dancing in the fields. They are so welcome to drop in on me any time they want!
And I have never met Laird……I dream.
Until Diane Rehm comes on.. Fuck her