“The etiquette that (barely) exists today was hammered out by your predecessors. Classic entitled millennial chicken sh*t!”
Surfcasual is a clothing label that was founded a couple of years ago on the back of a very unusual premise: as a bulwark against aggression in surfing.
“As passionate surfers ourselves, we have firsthand experience of the negative impact that aggression can have on the surfing community. It takes away from the true essence of riding the waves—the freedom, the connection with nature, and the camaraderie among fellow surfers.
“Our aim is to raise awareness about reducing aggressiveness in the lineup and to advocate for a community where surfers of all levels, whether beginners, casual riders, or intermediate, share the awesomeness we experience on our boards, learn and apply the principles of surfing etiquette while showing respect to each other, and create a surfing culture that thrives on positivity, happiness, and leaves toxic behavior behind.”
Yeah, well, they got a little pushback on a reel from old school heads a few weeks back when they ran with a vid of a couple of kooks pushing their chests out at each other, tossing a board etc.
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The reel, which has been viewed almost nine million times, is accompanied by Surfcasual’s anti-violence ethos.
It’s time to promote accountability and respect in the lineup — qualities that every surfer should embrace. Sadly only a select few follow these principles and truly understand the pure excitement and positive energy that surfing can bring. Surfcasual is an alternative surf community for those who choose to be accountable, responsible and respectful in the lineup through empathetic and effective communication.
Violence and aggressive behavior have no place in the surf community. Join the movement and become a member today.
Greg Webber, who is sixty-three and the shaper who made concaves his own personal fiefdom, beginning in the late eighties, was among the first to pile on.
“What a load of politically correct rubbish,” wrote Webber.
Another, Mittenscoops, wrote:
“These conflicts have limits and help to produce better and more reflecting men. This idea that passivity and non-violence is the highest form of morality is simply naive. The force of pressure has always helped us become stronger men. Nature will always test men, and if men want to thrive, they must face it and push it back. In a world where most of nature is conquered, it’s important to encounter it in play. It builds respect for danger and restraint in the person. Without lessons like this, a man will be protected too far, to the point that he will never see the far bigger and worse moral failings that result in atrocities. It’s easier to see this kind of social evolution in the ways moms and dads raise their kids. Over protection absolutely RUINS children. Moms do far too much of it. So when fathers are largely absent, that coddling results in unrestrained, amoral violence like in gangs or state committed atrocities as seen last century in Germany, Russia, and China.”
And, more:
“All these dopes winjing about getting shit just don’t have respect. If you’re an open gym bball player with no vert and a dad bod would you expect to be welcomed onto a court with nba players fuck no, get your ass in shape learn the craft and etiquette and work your way up.”
“This is a very dangerous sport and people who drop in on me or those who haphazardly roll into the lineup and go over the falls without a leash while kids are on the inside or you are paddling out need to be held to account. They are dangerous. It is our job to communicate to them and sometimes when you’re in danger and narrowly escape another visit to the UC, you have to raise your voice to get their attention to move down the beach or go take a lesson. We are animals, we got hair on us. Surfing is primal. Learn how to surf or get out of the way or someone’s going to yell at you. Try going to the North Shore and tell the boys to ‘relax’.”
“From enforcer to enforcer regulation is a must in waves of consecuence. The wave in this clip doesn’t show the real danger of surfing in line ups out of your league. You just don’t put only yourself in danger but everyone around you, and yes trying to help someone in a critical situation endangers that person as well. Sadly this last decade everyone has something to say and everyone feels entitled to do as they please and worst of all everyone is kind of a news reporter now with your cams in your phone and your profiles in social media. So bottom line is “be good, get good or get out” no questions asked no quarter given. And if you feel after some time you can handle waves of consecuence you’re welcome as long as you respect the pecking order of the line up. Sorry boys and girls but you got to pay if you want to play. Respect the ones before you and pave a solid road for those that follow after you. Respect and love, if you don’t respect yourself and others you are incapable of love. This might sound stupid and whatever for some people but it’s not fun to save some kook who almost killed him/herself and almost hurt someone in the way. Earn your stripes, learn to read the line up, ask old timers for some advice and play safely. Much love from Perú!”
And on and on and on!
Surfing ain’t that serious, boys! Or maybe it is?
Where do you stand? For, against, reformed for or reformed against?
