Do you agree with these statements? “Undoubtedly without surfboards there can be no surfing. Sorry bodysurfing purist, mat riders, spongers (oops, body boarders), lowly kayakers and other fringe wave riders. Surfing, classic surfing anyway, is all about surfboards as much as it is about waves. Surfers need surfboards and there is no one more qualified to make surfboards than surfers themselves.” http://www.allaboutsurf.com/0305/articles/moonlight/index.html
no responce needed go to the archives or go away
I checked the archives. Other than one recent post, I havent written anything in Swaylocks since Sunday, 11 November 2001. I read through a few of the old posts and it was sad to see how much things here have changed. Ill take your other “advice” and not return. Cretins like you are poisoning all the good forums, including this one.
It was a nice article. I think the author was simply caught up in the ectasy of surfboard rapture. However, let us not forget the best and most experienced surfers are probably porpoises. After them Mark Cunningham. After Mark you can start arguing over who is best of the rest. Rob Olliges
That quote of Wayne Lynchs: "No surfboards, no surfing"- funny how simplistic! Ground zero behind his generations design and surfing inspiration was an American kneeboarder/mat surfer by the name of George Greenough. Hell, who knows how long the Aussies might still have been posing on paddleboards and rowing dories through the soup if it hadn`t been for him!
“No surfboards, no surfing”? Hmmm… just try convincing these mat surfers of that… “paddled full steam across a peak. thing looked like a long wall and i was deep but i was also in real early. had so much speed paddling sideways that the wave just kind of grew under me and i was up and planing, never felt a drop so to speak. really got a good feeling on that one. i saw a few suprised looking faces and i had pretty good speed up. i was up and moving and guys who were 30 yards down the line who started paddling just gave it up when they saw me bombing across. i easily made the end section they were trying to paddle into. was at least as far out as the farthest logger when i grabbed it. i think i could easily get tubed at a hollow point break now… only 5 sessions and im claiming im not a kook” James Sowell, former pro bodyboarder — “… Had a great session at 3-5’ Lower Trestles this AM dawn patrol. Guys on boards were backing out of waves for me if I was deeper. Got the wave of the day. Perfect left - 100 yards long and peeling. Some guy said “somebody pop that thing”! I loved it!” Greg Hulsizer, waterman/shaper — http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
Adrian, The best way to counteract that sort of internet “poison” is to continue finding ways to contribute the exact opposite. Swaylocks is made up of many generous people who have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share… theres far more good to be found here, than bad. Its all in one`s perspective. Hope you decide to stick around! Dale http://neumaticsurfcraft.homestead.com/NeumaticSurfcraftwebsite.html
Wouldn’t Dolphins and Porpoise be considered the “original body surfers”? I think they would. No surfboard…no surfing.
OK, let me get this straight. You’re saying that if you were stuck in front of a reeling break with no “surfboard” you’d sit it out??? I’m sorry man, but that wouldn’t happen on my watch. Bodysurfing, mat riding, the infamous “bookie” board or a piece of wood, I’m on it. BTW- where has Bonta been??? we need his insight into these issues. Tom Sterne
“OK, let me get this straight. You’re saying that if you were stuck in front of a reeling break with no “surfboard” you’d sit it out???” NO, that’s not what I’m saying…and you know it. If I had no surfboard, I’d body surf or use some “other” device. A surfboard is a surfboard; A boogie board is a boogie board. They are built to be ridden differently, and in different body positions. Everyone seems to be afraid to separate the categories of these wave riding devices. They are all built for a person to ride waves, just ride them in a unique style or body position. I totally believe this…NOW LET IT RIP…
I don’t think the craft you ride is of any consequence it’s an appreciation of nature and a respect for others who share it. That being said there is no comparison to nailing a big wave in a 20ft long surfboat weighing 200 kg with five guys on board. regards Aussie dory rower/longboarder
Grant: My reply was to the original poster, NOT to your comments. Kind of hard to keep the heirarchy of comments straight witht the “new” format. Tom S.
According to the latest SIMAN trend statistics it really isn’t all about surfboards but in fact surfwear. What you are wearing is rated much more important than the dusty board inside the SUV. I believe that having an up-to-date dusty board in the SUV is rated third behind surfwear and the SUV brand and model itself, but don’t quote me on that. Water isn’t actually necessary for total lifestylee participation anymore.
baneful topic, i banish thee to the archives! away with thee! begone, i say, begone! 
I love bodyboarding. Granted, I haven’t done it in almost two decades because I love standing so much, but bodyboarding and bodysurfing are great and just as legitimate as stand up surfing. The difference is that stand up surfing requires much more time to get proficient and, therefore, deserves respect for that. A person could easily, in one month, become very good at angling and getting tubed on a body board. Body surfing takes a lot longer than that, but can also be picked up quicker. I happen to love surfing with a handgun. It makes a huge difference when you get that upper body lift. In fact, I think I’ll make one soon. Yipee. My personal opinion is that everyone should do all water activities, including kayaking. And if Dale keeps posting messages about those darn mats I’m going to, to, to… buy one! But I want one with a purple dragon on it[smile]
…makes up only a small part of being a Waterman…Keep Building!Herb