"And people wonder why there’s a shortage of new surfers…."
Surfing’s rules and regulations have generally been an oral tradition, passed from mother to daughter, father to son, grouchy local to kook via either calm explanation or spitting invective. How to behave in the lineup learned thusly. The Covid-era surf participation boom eroded much etiquette, as adults came in without surfing parents and did not care what the grouchy local had to say and the aforementioned lineup a mess.
Well, a “Surfing Rules” sign posted at a beach then onto social media, in an attempt to clarify, is dividing the surf world, today.
It reads:
Surfing Rules
One wave = One rider
No shoulder hopping
Always respect the locals
NO DITCHING YOUR BOARD
Etc.
All sensible, no?
While some agreed, penning:
Anyone who has a problem with this? Should not consider Surfing or continue. Surfing, it’s not toxic, it’s not unfair. It is the way it is, and the way it’s gonna stay. Just look at any clips of crowded lineups in exotic places. And it’s a dangerous kook fest. Everyone on here, who is complaining follows rules at their job on the road. When they’re playing a game, all the sports, they play doesn’t always seem logical or fair. But those are the rules learn, Em, and prosper. Don’t learn em, get punished or just don’t play.
Others cried “gatekeeping!”
A sampling:
Love surfing – surf culture is unbearable! Everyone was a kook once … why can’t ‘locals’ or ‘pros’ support the people learning and why do they have to rip the beginner breaks and ruin it for beginner sby hogging all the waves.
Part of this is safety. Part of this is respect. Part of this is bs localism. Bet whoever wrote this sign doesn’t give a crap about giving every wave to locals when he travels.
Don’t believe in locals and I love helping beginners. No one owns the ocean.
Surfing is amazing. Surf culture however, is amazingly douchey.
And people wonder why there’s a shortage of new surfers….
A shortage of new surfers?
Thoughts?