What would You Do??

[OldBaldie]

In a former life, I used to surf every chance I could (in NY). Then after a long break (and I mean long), going back to school, raising a family, I started surfing again (about 3 years ago). Now I don't want to sound to lame here, but I find myself a little (or maybe quite a bit) out of place. So let me ask you this.

If you were surfing in a new area, and were about twice the age of the other guys in the water, what would you do?

[Soul Surf]

Have fun and if anyone gives you .... give them the stink eye. If your completely lost again like your starting over don't sit on the peak or try to stay out of the way. Other then that and you should be OK. If you can carry yourself in the water then pull the d a m n kids respect your elders.

[Dan]

as a relatively new surfer, i can only say this... within five minutes of getting to a spot, i know if my skill and that break equal out. if they don't, i take pictures. if it appears that i can get out and have some fun, then i go to the bak of the line up and ask questions i already know the answer to(weather or upcoming swells, etc)- but 99% of the time a couple people i had spoken to will say "go get this wave"- and from there on out, it is cool... i would rather let three nice waves pass me by to know that i will not have anyone snaking me on the fourth wave! to me it is all about respect... on yr end and theirs. as time goes by, i am getting out there way more than doing the picture thing... and i have started recognizing a number of people that, like me, are there consistently.
having said that, i have only met a handful of as$-clowns... more often than not, everyone just wants to chill and have some fun.
peace, dan

[OldBaldie]

When I first started again, I stayed off to the side, to avoid getting in anyone's way. As I progressed, and felt more comfortable, I moved into the regular line-up, but showing respect. Only had a problem one time, no matter where I moved to, this dick-weed just had to follow me and bust my chops.

Its funny, your mind can remember what needs to be done, its getting the body to react to it.

I guess my real question was more about socializing. Back in the day, there was a group I hung around with in and out of the water. Now it seems that I have some idle conversation while out in the water and just go back to my other life when done for the day. Just don't know if its me or are others in the same place??

[Dan]

When I first started again, I stayed off to the side, to avoid getting in anyone's way. As I progressed, and felt more comfortable, I moved into the regular line-up, but showing respect. Only had a problem one time, no matter where I moved to, this dick-weed just had to follow me and bust my chops.

Its funny, your mind can remember what needs to be done, its getting the body to react to it.

I guess my real question was more about socializing. Back in the day, there was a group I hung around with in and out of the water. Now it seems that I have some idle conversation while out in the water and just go back to my other life when done for the day. Just don't know if its me or are others in the same place??

i am guessing that this was before text messaging, myspace, etc...
i have a theory that commerce is pushing very hard to minimize any contact with other people. you can purchase anything you need on-line, including groceries... it scares me that our culture will be locked into their houses, rarely emerging. i don't even have to go to a music store any longer. hell, i can buy a surfboard on-line without ever seeing it. if you have enough dr's tell you you have generalized anxiety disorder- or if you realize prozac is rx'ed twice as much as any other prescription med...
i'll get off my soapbox. yes, i think it has changed. and yes, i think most of america is a very well-behaved, sheep-like population. but every once in a while someone surprises me and i appreciate it more than ever:)
peace, dan

[Dan]

When I first started again, I stayed off to the side, to avoid getting in anyone's way. As I progressed, and felt more comfortable, I moved into the regular line-up, but showing respect. Only had a problem one time, no matter where I moved to, this dick-weed just had to follow me and bust my chops.

Its funny, your mind can remember what needs to be done, its getting the body to react to it.

I guess my real question was more about socializing. Back in the day, there was a group I hung around with in and out of the water. Now it seems that I have some idle conversation while out in the water and just go back to my other life when done for the day. Just don't know if its me or are others in the same place??


check the main thread a little later... this is an interesting conversation and i am curious what the others think... this forum doesn't seem to get the traffic the other one does.:)

[Soul Surf]

you will always have some a hole who thinks that he's the next Kelley Slater or I live here or I'm the oldest mentality. Fact is almost everyone travels esp. in south florida. Talk about greedy mutha ........ try surfing on the gulf. That some built up energy here

[shellfish]

i would just do my thing, respectfully like u say, stay outta the way till u feel comfortable. screw the douchebags. and dan is right about how our sciety is hiding behind their computers. thats obvious. i surf t surf, not to make friends but if it happens, thats cool to. havin a job, family and classes to take puts a damper on the party of it all. but at the end of the day, the ocean is fr everybody (as a wise man once told me).

[OldBaldie]

I'd like to tell a little story that is directly related to Dan's Theory in a previous reply. About 7 years ago I was taking life a bit to seriously, working hard for the family. Then it happened, I started to get chest pains. Not a little pang, it was the Holy $hit, this is bad. I went to the Dr who had me take a stress test. Turns out I was having Anxiety attacks. Following their advice I went from Zoloft to Lexapro, with some Xanix in between. Don’t believe the commercials, its not take a pill and your life is all good and smiles. I was in a cloud and foggy all the time and it sucked. Then my Blood Work came back, and they wanted to give me more medication to offset what the other junk was doing.

I went to an Internist who sat me down and very calmly said, you can’t live like this, you have to make some changes in your life and stop taking this $hit. I thought he was talking about walking away from everything, but no, just make some changes to my diet, start to exercise and most importantly start to play again. Fast Forward to today, I’m 30 pounds lighter, in a lot better physical shape, all my physicals and blood work are great. AND take no medications. One of the few things that really pisses me off are the commercials from the pharmaceutical companies, telling you that one pill can make your life wonderful. I’m not saying that all prescriptions are unnecessary, far from it. Just don’t loose track of the important things in life. Its not all about the $$$

[Sprocket]

baldie, where R U located?
If your in FL I'll be happy to paddle out with you.

[Water Walker]

Heavy man! Mother Ocean loves you.:)

[Dan]

Heavy man! Mother Ocean loves you.:)
perfect:cool:

[Water Walker]

Although she loves you she will still beat you down.

[40thStreet]

the guy giving you a mouth full is probably a kook. there should be some requirement for people to leave their mouths on the beach before paddling out.

[Dan]

baldie, do not ever hesitate to tell a story, or spread some experiences.
i had a disturbingly similar situation (it makes me wonder how common this really is)...
very long story short, i had a great job, very nice money, and i actually did a little skip on the way in:)
one day this lady came in and her cat was blocked (male cats are not very well-endowed, so this is a VERY common thing with an expensive, but simple, solution). so, she says she wants to euthanize the cat. i spoke to the dr first- he said i could talk to her and try to persuade her to let me adopt the cat, i would pay for the treatment, etc...
she said no:mad: i calmly told her she was just like those psycho lifetime channel dickweeds that have that "if i can't have her, nobody will".
she euthanized the cat- i even offered her all the money i had in my acct (like 300 dollars!!) to buy the cat from her. the dr euthanized it.
her and i never got to be friends after that.:mad:
fast forward ten days and a fat-as$ dog helped me rip apart my L knee; in short order, i was on clonazepam, prozac, lexapro, blah, blah, blah.
about six months into it, i flushed everything. this has been just under two years now. i always have heard people throw around panic attack or anxiety attack... it is like migraines- anyone who has had either now has the thousand-yard stare:)
the whole point of this is surfing has really filled that void... i go out on the crappiest days and the craziest days. i don't go out if i am just going to get hurt- but i dig the ride, the smell of the water, the sinus flush, etc...

[Dan]

the guy giving you a mouth full is probably a kook. there should be some requirement for people to leave their mouths on the beach before paddling out.
i am trying to understand what yr saying? i think i do...

[40thStreet]

i am trying to understand what yr saying? i think i do...

1. he is a kook because he give people a hard time


2. To much smack talk going on these days in the line ups. The line ups would be a lot nicer if people would learn to mind their own business and shut the f$ck up and just surfed.

[Dan]

1. he is a kook because he give people a hard time


2. To much smack talk going on these days in the line ups. The line ups would be a lot nicer if people would learn to mind their own business and shut the f$ck up and just surfed.

wow... you must be a blast to go surf with.

[shellfish]

I'd like to tell a little story that is directly related to Dan's Theory in a previous reply. About 7 years ago I was taking life a bit to seriously, working hard for the family. Then it happened, I started to get chest pains. Not a little pang, it was the Holy $hit, this is bad. I went to the Dr who had me take a stress test. Turns out I was having Anxiety attacks. Following their advice I went from Zoloft to Lexapro, with some Xanix in between. Don’t believe the commercials, its not take a pill and your life is all good and smiles. I was in a cloud and foggy all the time and it sucked. Then my Blood Work came back, and they wanted to give me more medication to offset what the other junk was doing.

I went to an Internist who sat me down and very calmly said, you can’t live like this, you have to make some changes in your life and stop taking this $hit. I thought he was talking about walking away from everything, but no, just make some changes to my diet, start to exercise and most importantly start to play again. Fast Forward to today, I’m 30 pounds lighter, in a lot better physical shape, all my physicals and blood work are great. AND take no medications. One of the few things that really pisses me off are the commercials from the pharmaceutical companies, telling you that one pill can make your life wonderful. I’m not saying that all prescriptions are unnecessary, far from it. Just don’t loose track of the important things in life. Its not all about the $$$


my sentiments exactly! i think society is too dependant on these pills. why cant ppl just look at themselves honestly an dfix whatever is wrong?! i hate to sound like im perfect but i have been in a few predicaments in life where i felt that despair of life being all mundane and fr what? simply to pay the bills? psh! i got in shape, paddled out one day with my hubby and re-navigated my path thru life. found out you only live nce and regret is a feeling i do not take well. so, stopped stacking up the regrets and started living for "me" .. still manage the family lifestyle whilst finding time for fun... and now we are planning a new addition. so it can all work out.. its nice of sprocket to offer up paddling out with ya. nice to see niceness.

[OldBaldie]

Sprocket: I'm located in Wellington and mainly surf Lantana/Kreusler Park (North side of Lake Worth), my daughter doesn't like Lantana because of the rocks.

Sometimes to change it up, we go to Deerfield, Delray, Palm Beach, Jupiter and Jensen Beach.
We usually stick to a beach that's guarded. Its a deal I have with the Wife, there has to be someone available to pull the body out so she doesn't have to wait years for the insurance money (thats a joke)

I'll take you up on that paddle out, just don't know when because its hard to sync-up my availability and a swell.

Shellfish: sometimes its hard to see the problem when its on your back, and took years to develop. The challenge is to find that person who can help you see it.

[Fishnsurfguy]

1. he is a kook because he give people a hard time


2. To much smack talk going on these days in the line ups. The line ups would be a lot nicer if people would learn to mind their own business and shut the f$ck up and just surfed.
It's that SIMPLE!!:cool:

[Dan]

Sprocket: I'm located in Wellington and mainly surf Lantana/Kreusler Park (North side of Lake Worth), my daughter doesn't like Lantana because of the rocks.

Sometimes to change it up, we go to Deerfield, Delray, Palm Beach, Jupiter and Jensen Beach.
We usually stick to a beach that's guarded. Its a deal I have with the Wife, there has to be someone available to pull the body out so she doesn't have to wait years for the insurance money (thats a joke)

I'll take you up on that paddle out, just don't know when because its hard to sync-up my availability and a swell.

Shellfish: sometimes its hard to see the problem when its on your back, and took years to develop. The challenge is to find that person who can help you see it.

if yr going that far N (jensen bch), just go to ft pierce N; no rocks, consistent small swell- watch the tides, lifeguards, etc. i have been there multiple times per week for 2 yrs and i have only met one dickweed out there... everyone is cool with kids learning, etc. it is not for the surfers who like to show-off; but if you want a fun surf day where you can just chill, it is perfect. :)
the ins money joke is hilarious:D

[Water Walker]

I agree the XTC family has been very kind to this keeook! The times I have been to Ft. Pierce it has been 99.9% Gravy Dude. Except for the older bald headed father who wanted to mouth off when I could not get out of his way. I took one on the head for him, spent alot of time paddling around his learning daughter and wife while watching him catch waves all up and down the beach and he still wanted to mouth off. Oh well, ya have to let it go.

Things happen like going for the same set wave with a more experienced friend and right before both making the drop............both pull back, and both go, ah shizzzzzzzzzzzzzzznit. Right Sprocket? Still have to apologize for that one. Sprocket is a real stand up waterman and as many on here could vouge a genuine human being.

[Military Mike]

1. he is a kook because he give people a hard time


2. To much smack talk going on these days in the line ups. The line ups would be a lot nicer if people would learn to mind their own business and shut the f$ck up and just surfed.


If someone like that gives me a hardtime when I get back in the water, I'll first try to reason with them. If he still by then is talking smack, well I'll give him a "friendly nudge" if you know what I mean haha. I'm pretty passionate about surfing so dont try to mess with me when I'm doin something I love like that. i'm all for the pura vida vibe!

[Fishnsurfguy]

If someone like that gives me a hardtime when I get back in the water, I'll first try to reason with them. If he still by then is talking smack, well I'll give him a "friendly nudge" if you know what I mean haha. I'm pretty passionate about surfing so dont try to mess with me when I'm doin something I love like that. i'm all for the pura vida vibe!
Dead on man.:cool:

[Dan]

i seem to be the only one who did not come out of the womb able to surf? i didn't try to learn at anywhere with rocks; but i did spend tons of time at ft pierce. it is perfect to learn there. imagine how the last person that trained you for a job felt... you sucked at whatever it was and you might have hurt them. but you get better and then you either help others get better or you feel entitled because you started before i did? i completely agree on the snaking thing. but it took me just a few to read the surf rules posted on SURFXTC!!! and if i started to snake someone, they were cool and i learned to keep my eyes moving just like when i am driving.
having said all that, surfing seems to be doing the cyclical thing like skateboarding... five yrs from now, it might be a much smaller sport. it is definitely peaking now... adaptibility matters on every level from animals to surfing philosophy. damn, xanix shakes for everyone:)

[40thStreet]

in reply to Dan -- i'm pretty cool to surf with, I'm just not into the agro personalities out there. there is no need for it. a few weeks ago I saw dude at tresspass give a guy a major mouth full for droping in on him. the drop in was bad, but the guy said sorry and sounded sincere, and even still the other guy felt need to give him hell and vibe him for the next 20 minutes. WEAK is all I say to that.

[shellfish]

weak is the word. you said a mouthful. but a better one than that douche you speak of. i learned to surf in delray & boynton. i guess hanging around surfers before i actually learned taught me a few points of etiquette about the sport so i really haven't had much trouble ... i mean a few times i goofed but who didn't? as big as the sport is right now (and as trendy dare i say) these self proclaimed womb surfers should realize just that. plus, besides somebody blatantly snaking you, what is so wrong with sharing your spot? Laird Hamilton once made a good point... he said something like he doesn't mind surfing blowing up like it is, and even if that means more heads in the lineup.. it just shws more interest in surfing, more funds being pumped into the scene and ultimately great things could come of that, like awareness of ocean pollution an dmore involved people in our causes as as surfing community.

[Fishnsurfguy]

in reply to Dan -- i'm pretty cool to surf with, I'm just not into the agro personalities out there. there is no need for it. a few weeks ago I saw dude at tresspass give a guy a major mouth full for droping in on him. the drop in was bad, but the guy said sorry and sounded sincere, and even still the other guy felt need to give him hell and vibe him for the next 20 minutes. WEAK is all I say to that.

Yeah. It all depends on the situation. Some people though just don't care and they NEED to be told, or dealt with accordingly.

[40thStreet]

Yeah. It all depends on the situation. Some people though just don't care and they NEED to be told, or dealt with accordingly.

my deal is if someone drops in an says sorry all is good so long as they don't do it again. if they drop in and act like nothing happened, then at that point a reminder is most def due ;)

[Dan]

my deal is if someone drops in an says sorry all is good so long as they don't do it again. if they drop in and act like nothing happened, then at that point a reminder is most def due ;)
i definitely think i got the wrong vibe from what you were saying:rolleyes:
i do apologize and what you said after that makes complete sense. i do think there is a fine line between feeling as if you have earned yr way into the line-up (the heavy spots, or the heavy days) and that feeling of entitlement. the one bad experience i mentioned at ft pierce i wrote about on here once... long story short, i completely accidentally dropped in on a guy who, now that i know a little more, was in the process of snaking me... anyhooo, he said something to the effect of "i wasted my time for that?". that sucks. i am in no way affected by it; but it also reminds me that everyone out there isn't as cool as you guys. we can talk sh!t about a lot of subjects and everyone either participates, doesn't, or says something so off-the-wall that i can't help but laugh. we are all going to be those wrinkled long-boarders someday...:)

[NorthEastsrfer]

we are all going to be those wrinkled long-boarders someday...:)

I look forward to it every day:D

[Military Mike]

haha thats funny dan, I tell my friends that all the time (becoming an old wrinkled longboarder).

[Sprocket]

glad to see I'm thought of as 'human'......hmm what's the alternative? LOL

[NorthEastsrfer]

sprocket does that mean you're a strict longboarder only?

[Sprocket]

sprocket does that mean you're a strict longboarder only?

I ride what the conditions dictate. Which means I do ride my LB about 80% of the time. Today however, I'll be riding either a 7'6" funshape or a 6'6" fish. Haven't decided yet....

Weighing in at 200lbs I don't go any smaller than the 6'6" (which floats the same as my 6'10" shortboard)

[Water Walker]

The alternative sprocket would be Vulcan, or someother form of extraterrestrial space being who is just passing part of thier galactic journey here on earth with thier primary mission being enjoying the ocean, being a champion for its environmental needs, and of course, reproducing. 'Human' being was just easier to type.