“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.
“Inspired by the endless chase of perfect
waves in multiple destinations around the world, Surfcasual was
founded and officially launched in 2022 after an unforgettable surf
trip to Sri Lanka back in 2019,” goes the Our Story
spiel.
“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.
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?
