Sorry to the Stand-up paddleboarders....
I dissed SUP surfers pretty badly a while back.
I'm sorry I did....as it was more of a dissing based upon lack of knowledge and forethought than anything else.
After observing more SUP surfers and paddle-boarders in general, I've now come to the conclusion that instead of looking like geeks, they are actually pretty cool.
In fact, in terms of fluidity of motion, they can be downright graceful.
sort of like telemarkers, I guess. The grace comes from doing something artfully well.
I don't hold that ALL paddleboarders are graceful....but I certainly think it wasn't right for me to diss a whole group of people just because i thought a few of there cadre looked geeky amidst the line-up.
And that's another thing....I don't really see any evidence of paddleboarders hogging lines...they tend to be off by themselves.
What changed my mind? Well, besides common-sense, I've encountered some real cool paddleboarders who obviously take their time to put their all in their sport...and it shows in the art and the grace with which they apply their task.
In short, I think there is plenty of room for ALL to enjoy the water (maybe even pesky jetskiers...although that's a big stretch)...just like there is room on a mountain for both boarders AND skiers.
The grace comes with doing something you enjoy...the art comes from doing it well.
