I haven’t seen a surf mat in 30 years. I saw your picture at > www.longboard.net. I didn’t realize they were still out there or maybe I > didn’t notice. Novices at anything need to learn to respect the more > experienced and not create hazardous situations for themselves and others. > There is little excuse for being careless. – Joe, Someone else (“Michael”) posted that photo in longboard.net. I made that particular surfmat about a year ago. IMHO, learning proper respect in surfing is just as important as the actual riding skills. In fact, it
s more important now than ever, because of frequent, crowded conditions. By the way, the surfmats I build arent anything like what you may remember from the 1960`s, in construction or function. I very rarely ever make them for anyone other than adults who are widely experienced surfers/watermen. http://groups.msn.com/InflateAbleDreamSpeed/shoebox.msnw?Page=1
“It Doesnt Count Unless You Stand” “I just tried to give myself permission to do things I love to do. I am trying to be myself here and that happens to be a lot of things. I don’t want to be led around by classifications as to what I can and can’t do. I’m not a kid and I want to indulge everything, even confusion.” - Patty Griffin “I wish you could see me flying in my dreams” -from one of her songs
“It Doesnt Count Unless You Stand” What do you do when you’re the Alpha Male heavy at the local break and… your back goes out / your hip goes out / you get hit by and drunk driver and can’t walk anymore / you get Parkinsons or MS / your knees go out… and you still want to ride waves? You get a bellyboard and eat humble pie. Do experienced surfers who, through no real fault of their own except living a long time, have to put up with “I surf upright” shit from the selfish hoardes? Everyone ought to learn to cut slack and share.
What do you do when you’re the Alpha Male heavy at the local break and… > your back goes out / your hip goes out / you get hit by and drunk driver > and can’t walk anymore / you get Parkinsons or MS / your knees go out… > and you still want to ride waves? You get a bellyboard and eat humble pie. > Do experienced surfers who, through no real fault of their own except > living a long time, have to put up with “I surf upright” shit > from the selfish hoardes? Everyone ought to learn to cut slack and share. I don’t know if this thread is still active but I’ve got to jump in on this one. This is not the first time I’ve heard this “if was a crippled I might a ride one o those danged bodyboards”. I ride a bodyboard (a paipo board, not spongy) because I like it. What is my response to that comment supposed to be? Maybe if I get brain damage I’ll ride a surfboard? Oops. A little to much blood pressure active there. Breath, breath, breath. OK. Actually I paipo board in SC almnost every day (the hook, sharks, privates (dawn patrol)). And almost everybody is mellow and cool to be around. But there are a certain percentage I’ seem to be invisible to, and a very smaller percentage who seem to be offended by my exisitence. Whatever. But the fact remains almost 100% seem to feel no problem paddling out 10 yards behind me and picking up the swell because of their longer boards, even if I’m the first one out. I just figure that’s the way it is and I look for another section of the break. Maybe some of the spongers you are riled about are reacting to that. Sorry if this gives offense to anyone, just wanted to say it.
Everyone ought to learn to cut slack and share. I don’t know if this thread is still active but I’ve got to jump in on this one. This is not the first time I’ve heard this “if was a crippled I might a ride one o those danged bodyboards”. I ride a bodyboard (a paipo board, not spongy) because I like it. What is my response to that comment supposed to be? Maybe if I get brain damage I’ll ride a surfboard? Oops. A little to much blood pressure active there. Breath, breath, breath. OK. Actually I paipo board in SC almnost every day (the hook, sharks, privates (dawn patrol)). And almost everybody is mellow and cool to be around. But there are a certain percentage I’ seem to be invisible to, and a very smaller percentage who seem to be offended by my exisitence. Whatever. But the fact remains almost 100% seem to feel no problem paddling out 10 yards behind me and picking up the swell because of their longer boards, even if I’m the first one out. I just figure that’s the way it is and I look for another section of the break. Maybe some of the spongers you are riled about are reacting to that. Sorry if this gives offense to anyone, just wanted to say it. – Surfing can be one of the most selfish activities imaginable… or seen for what it really is: a fortunate blessing for a few… not only to experience, but also to share, learn and maybe… even make some new friends along the way. Sadly, many surfers wake up each day and act as if it just simply isn`t within their power to choose the better way. Go Kim!