So I know less than nothing about surfing, and I think I am going to buy a board.

[BS720]

^^Gotcha. I think with a new surfer, sometimes you're so eager to get to a shortboard, you're not willing to pay dues on the funshape.

Edit: This is amazing. Any other place, people would be saying to go with a chippy 5'10", then laughing as he flails. Gotta be the only place in surfing you can get solid starter advice without involving a shop owner(who pushes you into an $800 starter board).

[ill-advised strategy]

Any other place, people would be saying to go with a chippy 5'10", then laughing as he flails. Gotta be the only place in surfing you can get solid starter advice without involving a shop owner(who pushes you into an $800 starter board).

Probably the least attractive part of surfing is the bizarre culture of everyone treating each other like assholes, trying to pretend like every single thing is some sacred secret, and just generally acting like a group of people can own a section of ocean if they're big enough pricks about it.

[S4Shredr]

Probably the least attractive part of surfing is the bizarre culture of everyone treating each other like assholes, trying to pretend like every single thing is some sacred secret, and just generally acting like a group of people can own a section of ocean if they're big enough pricks about it.

Very well put. I started surfing 2 years ago and this is the main thing that turns me off from the sport. Especially here in new jersey. Sometimes I'll paddle out to a lineup and say something along the lines of "Hey how's it going?" and get nothing but a blank stare. I'm still sticking with it though, having a great time, and not letting that attitude rub off on me.

To the OP, definitely get a funshape/longboard or something you can easily catch waves on. Especially if your going to be surfing on the east coast mostly in the summer. The waves are usually so small that as a beginner you'll have a tough time learning on a shortboard. And remember, your out there to have fun, whatever board allows you to catch the most waves will be the most fun.

Oh and let me know if you want to paddle out some time, I'd like to check out that end of LI some time this summer.

[Tunco]

I've spent the last 2 years down in CA/MX and only got vibed on 2 times. Now that I'm back in the states, we will see.

[Piggity]

It's not all bad vibes but the saying goes something similar to "Surfing ain't a Group Hug". The closer you are to surf mecca's then the more that statement holds true. Places like Western Samoa and less traveled places have no vibe what so ever, some of the coolest people alive

[BS720]

Very well put. I started surfing 2 years ago and this is the main thing that turns me off from the sport. Especially here in new jersey. Sometimes I'll paddle out to a lineup and say something along the lines of "Hey how's it going?" and get nothing but a blank stare. I'm still sticking with it though, having a great time, and not letting that attitude rub off on me.

You're more outgoing than most. I don't open my mouth at a heavily localized spot unless I know someone.

On a funnier note, I keep seeing a Jeep Grand Cherokee in my neighborhood with a MASSIVE TGR sticker on the back window. Saw it in the Sloat lot today, walked up and asked the guy if he had change for a nickel. He's looking in his center console for five cents, I'm realizing TGR is bigger than just mag's. Embarrassing, but I got a good laugh out of it.

[Hugh Conway]

The closer you are to surf mecca's then the more that statement holds true.

haven't really found that to be true. good vibes at some great surf mecca's, and shitty vibes in shitty places

bad vibes are more proportional to the number of tweaker douchebags living nearby. Hence bad vibes in Washington and Hawaii.

[hop]

haven't really found that to be true. good vibes at some great surf mecca's, and shitty vibes in shitty places

bad vibes are more proportional to the number of tweaker douchebags living nearby. Hence bad vibes in Washington and Hawaii.

If this is the case then Santa Cruz must be the epicenter of bad vibes?

I've never been hassled anywhere I've been but I follow pretty basic protocol when I'm at a new place. Suss out the lineup from land so you don't end up being that guy on the inside when a set rolls through, don't paddle directly out and try and score the first waves that roll through, don't loudly chitchat with people I don't know or even those that I do know, don't sit right in front of people, don't bail on waves when it's "my" turn, if I do bail, get the fuck out of the way ASAP, etc. Perhaps those getting vibed are reaping what they sow.

[Hugh Conway]

Maybe it's because they think you're a chick

You can never eliminate the potential for pissing off some shit who thinks that square of oceans there's

[hop]

Maybe it's because they think you're a chick

You can never eliminate the potential for pissing off some shit who thinks that square of oceans there's

I'd rather be mistaken for a chick and have them realize they're wrong than have them think I'm a jerk/douche/dick/asshole/generally miserable person to be around and have them realize they're right. Being pleasant to people and following a few simple societal rules feels nice and minimizes hassle, you should try it next time you surf in WA or HI.

[Piggity]

Hugh, using Mecca was probably the wrong term. I mean places that see high volume tourist and/or are already whored out. Basically places where everyone straps a board to their car whether they surf or not. People need space and crowded places tend to have more chances of bad vibes. Not always but elbow to elbow in the lineup certainly doesn't create good vibes

[ill-advised strategy]

BTW...everyone's been friendly to me too, for the most part. It's more of a feel I get from reading and from vids and stuff as opposed to people being lame in the water around here. FWIW.

[hop]

Every time I surf in WA I meet Canadians that are down there to escape the "bad vibes" of Vancouver Island. I think that's funny/sad in a "could our nice polite and innocuous neighbors to the north really be worse than us?" way, even though I've never had any bad vibes there either.

Hugh is TGR's Bad Vibes Bob.

[Hugh Conway]

Not always but elbow to elbow in the lineup certainly doesn't create good vibes

Whatever bad vibes you get I'm sure it's all your fault

And back to the OP, buy a board, go surfing, have fun

[Piggity]

PS- I have never really been barked at in the lineup or had vibes sent my way. I've witnessed plenty of barking, cold stares and the guys that stare through you when you tell 'em it was a nice wave. There are plenty of cool people in the lineup too, it's just not a group hug like it seems on gidget


Very rarely in 15 years but I've had to bark at people in the past, it's how the lineup stays in operation if someone is throwing the cycle off and going to cause an injury. A board, fin or reef to the head is horrible and people dropping in or ditching boards are fair game for a vibe. It is very similar to guys on here that bark at fools in the backcountry for not wearing a Beacon or having Avy training, barking is sometimes necessary to save people from injuries in the lineup.

Zen lineups are magical experiences, know the unwritten rules from day 1 and positive vibes in the lineup will follow

[Ottime]

I have to disagree with the short option(pod, disco). The Pod comes in a 6'4", but that isn't the way that board is designed to be ridden for the length. From personal experience, if you skip the 8' funboard and go to something short, fat and thick, you will learn to turn with a jerky style. Then, you can spend much of your first few years trying to smooth out your style. Also, the 8' board has some valuable lessons about trim and glide. Don't miss these. Several people have posted boards that are great examples. Get on it!

I agree with the jerky style point. Love getting on the log time and again to s
mooth out the style

[BS720]

^^With the exception of my Pumpkin Seed, all my other boards are quads. I picked up a Joel Tudor single fin egg in HI 2 years ago. I think it's therapeutic for a quad surfer. On a full wraparound cutback, it puts a massive grin on your face. You plant your foot on the tail and it feels rock solid.

[Ottime]

I am so behind on the board design thing. Still riding all thrusters (except for the 60's era LB), and progressive* short board and gun shapes (and a 7'6" eggish board left at my house). I enjoy them, especially when the surf is on, but need to figure out a good high volume short board that still drives like I enjoy.

*for 2002

After being out on the EC for a week - to the OP. Get some volume. I forgot how meager conditions can be in between swells, and to learn, you need to get out daily (or as often as possible).

And +1 for Hughs comment. Buy a board. Go surf.

[Piggity]

but need to figure out a good high volume short board that still drives like I enjoy

I can't say enough about the sharp eye disco. I'm not skinny and I need volume for drive but I like the responsiveness of small boards, this board does it for me. I've ridden my 5'10" (rounded pin) in waves pushing 3' OH with punch and this board still delivers. It turns on a dime yet floats through the flat sections if you are trying to connect it through the next peak. I think i could order the Disco up to 6'2" rounded pin and it would have the same drive and responsiveness. That's just me but damn that board is $$