I think its about time that some body comes up with a code of practice for SUP.
As the sport is bound to become more and more popular , i think it would be a good idea if we come up with a set of guide lines for sups in the surf.
I have noticed lately the silliness of some of our fellow supers in the surf.
We have a couple of simple rules .....
1 Try to avoid a crowded peak if posibble
2 Be courteous
3 Encourage the grommets in the surf as they are the next generation of supers
Theres a old saying you cant buy common cents.

Mate I know you mean well, but there's no point in having a code of practice for an unregulated sport. For starters what body will enforce such codes (cops, surfing australia?). I think there's enough advise and advertising about etiquette in surf, it's just that some don't give a ****.

Next they will call a carbon tax for the sweeper


A dickhe-d is a dickhe-d no matter what they ride

I'm sure glad Laurie gave us the red thumbs again.

goatman said...

kourgen said...

I think its about time that some body comes up with a code of practice for SUP.
As the sport is bound to become more and more popular , i think it would be a good idea if we come up with a set of guide lines for sups in the surf.
I have noticed lately the silliness of some of our fellow supers in the surf.
We have a couple of simple rules .....
1 Try to avoid a crowded peak if posibble
2 Be courteous
3 Encourage the grommets in the surf as they are the next generation of supers
Theres a old saying you cant buy common cents.

You're prob not to know but it has been done to death. This article is on the breeze and explains it pretty well:

www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Stand%20Up%20Paddle/Kook-or-Kool--Your-first-go-in-the-surf_2965007.aspx

You beat me to it Goaty. I was going to link to this one as well. There is no "code of practice" in surfing apart from the obvious. Dont drop in, dont snake, show respect the locals if surfing somewhere else. Just common sense, most of the time. My thought is it is up to the individual. If your out on a SUP and see another one being a tool. Let him/her know in the nicest possible way first. Apart from that, around where I live there will be no shortage of abuse coming there way.

SUPing in the surf needs to follow the same code of practice as surfing in the surf:

- Respect the locals.
- Don't drop in.
- Don't surf breaks beyond your ability.
- Don't bail out/fall off in front of someone.

And this is my favourite one:

- If somebody can surf much better than you and therefore make better use of the wave, don't hassle them out of a set.

With a special one for SUPing:

- Always wear a legrope, even if you think you are really good.

The problem often comes from the windsurfer and ski paddler cross-over guys who have jumped on a SUP without growing up learning proper surf etiquette via years of surfing at their local breaks (with severe grommet abuse repercussions when we got it wrong).

Education is key for the uninitiated but it takes a long time to learn all the subtleties of surf etiquette.

goatman said...

And while we are at it, if you are going to surf a SUP with a crew of prones, don't stand up out the back like a lighthouse keeper. It just p1sses people off when SUPs paddle out past everyone and stand there like the lord of the surf. If you sit in between waves it keeps your 'popup' skills for when you go back to a prone board as well

sorry don't agree with that one, I tried it but ended up having hip trouble due to width of board.

micksmith said...

goatman said...

And while we are at it, if you are going to surf a SUP with a crew of prones, don't stand up out the back like a lighthouse keeper. It just p1sses people off when SUPs paddle out past everyone and stand there like the lord of the surf. If you sit in between waves it keeps your 'popup' skills for when you go back to a prone board as well

sorry don't agree with that one, I tried it but ended up having hip trouble due to width of board.

I did qualify it by saying 'if you are gonna surf with a crew'. But you can only do what the body will let you.

This might sum it up

CMC said...

Don't be like Chicken scratch!!

He and a number of others copped a mouthful from a couple of grumpy old men at the Alley on Sunday.

The biggest thing I see is wave hogs, if you are paddling back out after a wave, don't turn and take the next one through just because you can. Also be aware of paddling from the outside to the inside of other surfers looking to paddle onto a wave. We can do this easily and I can say it really pisses everyone off.

As for the comment about ex windsurfers and ski paddlers etc, has nothing to do with it. It is all about respect for other water users, and using some common sense. And we probably just need to accept that there will be a number of other water users that don't, can't and won't ever like us, they would generally prefer we all dissappeared and see our existance as destroying ther places they once loved so much.

hey kourgen,welcome to the sup room hahahahaha its all good mate,hope you abide by your own rules

Crikey. What's wrong with us? Since starting SUP the only people I've had trouble with in the surf are two or three clowns that weren't going to get waves whether I was there or not and one local board shaper who I always thought was a dick even when I was on a shortboard. If you are finding that you get in a fight every time you go out, don't try to blame other SUPs who don't know "surf etiquette" for giving you a bad name. Take a long hard look at yourself, realise that you are not Kelly Slater and modify your approach.

goatman said...

Great vid Byron, no wonder the lad is so good, his mates rip as well!!

Thanks Goat...Noah has had to adjust and SUP every different break in all conditions because he is the odd man out. Good training and experience. The kids don't care and always have fun.

just do what u have to do and enjoy it [my only rule that should apply every where is anyday in the surf is better than not being there ] and keep smiling

I can't believe some of you are still taking the bait.

billboard said...

goatman said...

And while we are at it, if you are going to surf a SUP with a crew of prones, don't stand up out the back like a lighthouse keeper. It just p1sses people off when SUPs paddle out past everyone and stand there like the lord of the surf. If you sit in between waves it keeps your 'popup' skills for when you go back to a prone board as well

Pfft !

It's STAND UP paddling isnt it ? - if I wanna sit down for a chat I'll ride my longboard or get a goat boat.

You need to make up your mind cross dresser
I hate to say this but I agree with goatboater on this,I see guy's paddle out and standing tall not a good thing to do where I surf,it just sparks the fuel.