Sorry it took me a few days to reply to all your posts. I’m living in Mexico—soon to return to Santa Cruz—and it’s not always easy to make yourself sit in front of a computer for any lengthy period of time.
Thank you all for taking the time to come by here and add your two cents, it really is going to go a long way in helping me create something that will actually be effective in indoctrinating beginning surfers into our sport with the necessary level of respect and civility. This is by no means a thread ending post, but I just wanted to say: THANK YOU! Ok, now for some feedback, questions, etc.
Silly: lol, at the stinky bacon fart ploy. Maybe that can go in the appendix. That is seriously classic, though, thanks!
Lillibel: I’m afraid you might be misunderstanding what I’m trying to say. I actually agree with you 100%, and the wording is meant to imply that. Does anyone else think that the wording is ambiguous? My intention is to imply that a leash is in fact a convenience (defined as: the quality of being easy, useful, or of increasing comfort) and not something to be relied on as a safety device (e.g. seat belt, air bag, etc). The paragraph I have following that “tip” says almost word for word the advice you offer in your post. Thanks lillibel, comprehension is 99.9% of something like this, and I do not want to be misleading! J
Benny1: That chart is insane! Can you tell me where you found that? Something like that could go a long way in a guideline style article to explaining the etiquette of surfing. I know that most people learn visually, and words mean nothing. Thanks Benny!
Hiroprotagonist: thanks, that’s pretty classic. Seems like that’s the root of the “blue crush” phenomenon right there. Don’t know that I’m going to address that in my article, but its another perspective for sure. 
Gracias.
Oneula: I am certainly trying to emphasize the importance of social graces in the water. I find that so many people go out, especially beginners, and sit stone faced facing the horizon. I know that I learned so much by being humble, smiling and asking dumb questions prefaced with the phrase, “I know your going to laugh at me, but….”
Nels: Your argument for keeping etiquette is quite strong. I am debating about keeping it and not. I guess its about conceptualizing your target audience, and I think your right, that you have to aim for the lowest common denominator the “ill-mannered, arrogant, disrespectful herd.” Thanks for your points Nels, I think you may find some of your ideas in the list, especially the bit about civic minded surfers and unnecessary rescues… EXCELLENT!!
Walrus: Yeah ive seen that sign in SC. Id love to incorporate something similar to that in my article.
Surfstheword: Good bit of advice. Ill have to find a spot for it in there… though its not “etiquette” it seems fairly necessary. Don’t panic, stay calm. Especially if you happen to upset a surly local, haha, could be interchangeable from wipeouts to heavy social situations.
Taylor O: Good addition. I’ll be sure to include a section, tip on only going if you are fairly confident that you are going to make it. How many times have we all been out when someone keeps going and falling, and each time reasserts themselves to the front of the lineup! Not exactly the best way to ingratiate yourself as a beginner. Crucial! Thanks Taylor…
About the phone thing… I guess I’m just trying to address the issue of people calling every surfer they know when they recognize its firing. Maybe it’s a little farfetched, and I will have to think about how I phrase it. Understandably and with good reason people use their phone near the beach. So, we’ll see. I had in mind the car loads of Hondas with a flotilla of sponge longboards tied to the top and six guys, all on their cell phones screaming to their buddies while looking at the surf. Haha, that’s my rant, anyways…
Again, thanks everyone! Muchissimo gracias a todos aqui! Nos vemos…
Juicenosis
