WA sounds like a great place.

I'm quite comfortable knowing my place in a lineup kneeling. I can deal with crowds (not that I enjoy it). I'm just amused when people get upset about their place and feel they should be afforded rights that will never be theirs.

Education is a waste of time unless it's directed at local groms. Imagine trying to educate people at Bondi. A highly transient crowd. Spend time educating someone and never see them again and the next day a whole new set of faces. We have transient beaches too. Not Bondi, but you can make analogies.

I do OK, and that's all I care about. I'm happy in the water with surfers, boogers, sups, goaters, whatever. Even crippos. Just everyone needs to know their place.

E.g. place I surfed last few days I'm quite happy to sit inside someone whose turn it is and vice versa because it's the nature of that spot and I won't go when it's their turn unless they don't want it and vice versa. And we know each other and there's that unspoken trust built over many years with the same faces. It's when an unknown paddles inside that I (and others) get uneasy. Sometimes that happens and they jump the queue, but only once. We don't want to play hassling games when we don't have to but we can if necessary.

Guy today on a boog, he's polite and well-mannered and waits longer than most. Two other guys kept sitting inside and a set came so boog went. It was more than his turn. One of the others also went and was soundly burnt. Came back out and the two of them couldn't believe it. What was there to think about? They shouldn't have even paddled for it. Long time local, out all the time, gives away more than he gets, charges.

I'm sure you know all this, but for the possible benefit of others ...

Mac, we do fine. It's all good in the water, except for people like the OP who expect more than they're going to get. Put in the time, you reap rewards. It's a slow process, OP. Decades.

Reminds me of years ago surfing a nice little bank on Phillipe island one arvo midweek, bout ten guys out i have not surfed for awhile and don't even live on that coast, first time there for 10 years. Six guys paddle out at once and announced to all of us,"if you haven't worked today, get out of the f###en water". I was surprised at how many paddled in, after eventually chatting to them, they told me not to be so polite and take my place in the line.

The biggest problem in the Surf over here is adult learners and females. Chicks just think they can get away with anything. The adult beginner is another story with no idea but a bucket load of arrogance. Groms are cheeky little pricks and will snake,steal and take what they can,which in the end those hungry groms will end up shredders. Yet a quick word and a few more will generally get the food chain back to order.......this all applies except for snapper.
And there is no excuse for dropping in,yes I do it sometimes,generally to.greedy snakes that think they rule and are way more important than everyone else.
Just imagine some kook.smashes your brand new stick because they can't turn their head,even repaired I would still be spitting.
To the op your mate is a arrogant cock,dropping in is not a accident and because the bloke gets upset he says feck him I'm not paying,he was lucky he did not get another gash. Plus if he was your inexperienced mate you did a poor job in looking after and encouraging the stoke,you just let him flail around like a retard. Oh I am upset as I have spent the arvo fixing a ding because some knob bails on a fat head high wave

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Legion said...
Learner groms are doing just fine. At the two more populated places I surf there are heaps of them. Probably 20 on Thursday, 20 on Friday. They know their place and will ultimately progress to ruling the lineup. It's learner adults that refuse to accept their place at the bottom of the ladder that cause problems.

I agree wholeheartedly with you on that one but disagree with you regarding not bothering to educate people at a transient location. It just gives them affirmation that how they act in the water is acceptable so they continue to do it no matter where they are. Obviously it's an uphill battle but I will nearly always say something for repeated bad behaviour.

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subasurf said..

Buster fin said..

I'm often the first out, and with Ks of empty beach, some tool will indefinitely paddle out and sit almost within arms reach of me and avoid eye contact. I say G'day and get stink-eyed.

Any time I paddle out to a spot where there is one guy out having a good time, I always try and make a point of letting the next few decent waves go through without even pretending like I am interested in them. Simply to make it obvious that I respect the fact he did the early and had it to himself and that I don't intend to come out and take everything away from him.

It's always resulted in a fun sesh where two strangers have had a bit of banter and cheered each other into waves.

Muchos respeto! You obviously never surf near me...

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Legion said..


Lol at people not owning a spot. Try that theory at Pt Packed. Try that where I was yesterday. At one stage there was a pack of about 8 long-term locals, many years of experience and some very good surfers. State level, former and current. Try paddling out and taking turns with them.

Imagine a super consistent Pt Packed. A 3' day. Say 4 wave sets every 5 minutes. Everyone's equal, learners have the same rights as locals. An average crowd of 24 gets 2 waves an hour if they form an orderly queue. Yeah, right.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just that people like that are self entitled wankas :)

I think you need to come over and surf the GC points,the vibe is generally good until a wanker who thinks he owns the place turns up,nobody owns it.A good surfer will always get respect and get more waves but if he acts like a wanker he will cop it no matter if your good or bad your still labelled a wanker,that's how the peaking order works here,its called respect wait your turn.If a learner scores a bomb wave does the wolf pack drop in on the learner no he is entitled to his share,often hooted at and encouraged.Maybe you guy's need to learn how to share because on matter what you do or say its only going to get more populated in the water.With one of Legions posts re-locals only and state and national champs get a look in at this break,remember there's always someone better than you,what happens in this case do you simply blow him off too or is he ok because he can out surf the pack?Living on the GC we see all types, euro and interstate stickered up riders who are what we call average,its much harder to get a sticker on your board here than most places,just look at how many past and present world champs this place has produced. I'm not blowing your posts off Legion but some of your comments are what we call so 80's here,it all comes to biff if you don't respect each other.Party wave is a coming,you mite not like it but its coming.

So glad I now live in Nth Qld. The surf might be absolute crap, but every wave is mine . Have to agree with 62mac, surfed Noosa at the same time as the recent surfing festival was on and the vibe in the water was great no matter kook or pro. Having come from there I know its not always like that but it was refreshing to see

Mac, I have a mate that surfs with me in WA and he also regularly surfs in the GC as he has a place over there. He reckons the vibe in the GC is way more mellow and welcoming than the arrogance and agro attitude of some of the old guys here in WA that reckon the **** waves at Scarbs, Trigg and other such metro spots belong to them and them alone. My mate gets called into waves all the time in the GC and get's a whoop when he gets a good un. That never happens in Perth, ever.

I guess I just wish the people here were more decent to each other in the surf. As my Mum says "manners don't cost anything" people!

Yesterday 3.5 hours at snapper and not an ego in sight and just arrived home from 2.5 hours at snaps all good everyone enjoying there time in the water and a fair few party waves going on,one thing we try is not drop in on a bomb wave and let the lucky bugger smash it.There's always going to be one or two that think they are king but they receive the cold shoulder and soon pull their heads in.Today a guy who is well known for taking waves and getting agro paddled out and I said to my mate here comes the vibe killer,but him and I shared a heap of waves and had a good old chat and laugh,now that's what it should be like.

Perth metro and probably an hour either way from it's a farkin joke. Too many arrogant pig headed people with no stoke who think they are king **** surfing waves that are realistically less than average.
I can't see any reason to paddle out and be rude straight out in the surf. Doesn't take a lot to give someone a smile or a nod too lift the mood. A friendly lineup is a fun lineup.
Paddle out into a crew who are giving the cold shoulder and getting agro and it's just a **** time for all.
If people are doing the wrong thing let them know first off in a respectful way. If they want to keep doing it then f#ck em. I will generally give a person 2 or 3 chances. If they continue to drop in or snake well then 2 can play at that game.
A lot of the time the vibe at perth metro feels like your surfing pipe. I mean seriously locals only. Perth metro. Cmon people....
show respect get respect. Simple.

^ great post.

^^

+ 3 for Woodo ,spot on . Pretty much exact attitude i carry .

now I'm worried about returning cause I won't be recognized as a local after being out for 5-6 months. i'm already a kook.

Well said woodo, it seems that you, me and my mates and a few others share the opinion that many of the locals in perth are arrogant, self centred **** heads! Just a total shame tbh and I will not become one of them, I will always say hi when I paddle out the back and give a smile to everyone. Call me a kook if you like, I really don't care, we all were kooks one day and eventually my kookness will be gone and I will be killing it. Killing it with a bit of respect and consideration for learners, as I will remember how hard it was to learn in this town.

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sporto said..

... eventually my kookness will be gone and I will be killing it.

You sure will, sporto. You sure will.

It's amazing how negative some of the posts get on here when there hasn't been good solid off shore day for a couple of weeks

Sporto, do you tend to surf the same spot regularly? I suggest you pick a spot (beachie) and just surf there as often as you can. I reckon sooner than later you'll have it sussed and probably start to build up a rapport with those that do the same. If your positive attitude doesn't rub off on others I'd be surprised and you'll create the type of atmosphere that is essential for a good session. I think when you move around a lot and surf places that some crew only ever surf it's difficult to work your way into the lineup. Totally agree with your views on this issue but I have to say it exists in virtually every sport I've been involved in but if you pay your dues and know/follow the rules it becomes less of an issue.

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rydoba said..

Looks chest height at best...and given the location...probably less

I took a chance yesterday and tried a fickle point break that is awesome when its on.. and it was ON.

A guy who could surf really well, but wasnt a local. dropped in on me TWICE mid wave (i hadn't just taken off either.. i was 2-3 turns into my ride.) and then paddled up to me and said 'you weren't gonna make that section anyway bro'

actually i WAS going to make that section.. i have been making that section all day!!

i didn't really care cos i got about 10 good longs rides that session. but it did seem like he was only doing it to me.. and i see this happening a lot.. bloody arrogant imo.. i could only imagine what it would be like in qld

Woodo makes some very good points.

When I was learning, my friends and I would choose uncrowded beachies, where we could both get enough waves to allow ourselves to progress, and stay away from the crowds. When we improved and moved up to busier spots, we would wait our turn for the good ones, and satisfy ourselves with the scraps in between. If you've waited your turn, acted respectfully and you can stand up, you are entitled to the wave.
That being said, the mature learner today seems to feel much more entitled than the grom learners of old. It is unrealistic to think that you can paddle out at a crowded break, with little to no experience, on a giant board and get your pick of the waves. Waiting for the scraps, staying out of the way, and being aware of the other surfers in the lineup will go a long way to you being made to feel welcome in a lineup.

Education is key
Mistaken drop ins from learners happen regularly...When it is taking all your focus to just stay balanced on your board and paddle, your not thinking about looking inside. Surely we can all remember doing this once or twice when we were learning? I feel most of them shouldn't be out there in the first place(more due to the danger they pose for other people in the lineup), but we live in a me, me, me culture, so they are going to paddle out anyway. Rather than getting abusive, let them know what they are doing wrong. Most won't even realise what they are doing wrong, will appreciate the advice and won't make the same mistake again. Those that keep repeating, keep endangering or give you attitude need to be given there marching orders.
Sporto - you need to understand that respect goes both ways...Learn the etiquette, be aware of the lineup, respect your betters, don't act entitled, and remember that that big hunk of fibreglass attached to your leg can and does do a lot of damage.

I can understand the frustrations felt by some of the crusty, negatives on here, but, its Perth FFS! We all know the waves suck, its already too crowded and getting worse by the day. If it makes you so angry then move somewhere else. Raging because someone pushed down the section on a waist high onshore semi-closeout is just laughable, however, giving a learner a firm word when their board almost takes off your head is vital.

^^ I think its funny that you are all saying the waves suck here. I will admit we dont have waves on our door step like other places and we have to work a bit harder to get them but imo wave quality isnt that bad!!

If you know where to look (even close to busy spots) you will score great waves.

Have a look around, you might see something you missed

This is a tad semantic, but one person's idea of great waves can be very different to another. Given, certain spots can be very good on their day by any standard, but those days are rare and the banks fleeting. I've scored a bunch of 'good' days at lesser surfed spots...but good in relation to the general bad trend, rather than good in absolute terms. Perth metro has, by any international, absolute standards, inconsistent poor quality waves. An adjusted mindset, and the correct board is vital to enjoying(tolerating) this Huey forsaken city!
I find it tormenting that an hour south or north and 20 mins west lie consistently good waves.

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MickCam said..
This is a tad semantic, but one person's idea of great waves can be very different to another. Given, certain spots can be very good on their day by any standard, but those days are rare and the banks fleeting. I've scored a bunch of 'good' days at lesser surfed spots...but good in relation to the general bad trend, rather than good in absolute terms. Perth metro has, by any international, absolute standards, inconsistent poor quality waves. An adjusted mindset, and the correct board is vital to enjoying(tolerating) this Huey forsaken city!

I find it tormenting that an hour south or north and 20 mins west lie consistently good waves.

You're doing it wrong

I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to? I have very enjoyable surfs here-and I surf everyday that there is something rideable, and time permits. I'm just under no allusions as to the quality of the waves i'm enjoying!

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MickCam said..
I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to? I have very enjoyable surfs here-and I surf everyday that there is something rideable, and time permits. I'm just under no allusions as to the quality of the waves i'm enjoying!

Just jokin mate, Im the same. I even like onshore mush some times, I feel if you can get a wave when normally you wouldnt get in its a win win