Community Corner
It's a Big Ocean—Why Can't We Share It?
Some old-school wave riders are harassing those that dare paddle into their turf.
As a surfer, it's common knowledge there are areas that are considered "locals only." In the South Bay, Lunada Bay is one of those places.
The Bay has epic waves, but it also has "The Bay Boys," a group notorious for harassing surfers who don't live in the area. One incident came to blows, followed by a lawsuit.
Just down the way from Lunada Bay is The Cove. The Cove is another beautiful location that has its fair share of big waves in the winter months. The Cove hasn't been plagued by tensions between wave riders. At least it wasn't until two weeks ago.
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A surfer friend who is also a stand-up paddleboarder took his paddleboard out to The Cove in hopes of catching a couple of small waves. Being a courteous surfer and stand-up paddleboarder, he stayed at the end of the line-up and never paddled into the peak, allowing plenty of space between people.
With only six people in the water, this wasn't a difficult task.
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He wasn't in the water very long when an older surfer verbally lashed out at him for being on a stand-up paddleboard. The older surfer continued to verbally harass him.
When my friend mentioned that he also surfed, the older surfer calmed down a little but then told him not to bring the stand-up paddleboard back into the water. He also told him to "tell his friends" the same.
The surfer went on to threaten bodily injury, suggesting that someone could kick their surfboard in his direction causing him to get hurt, and "that would be a shame." Both went on their separate ways without further incident.
When my friend came out of the water, another surfer who had witnessed some of the exchange mentioned that he has seen this surfer behave this way before.
Has this sport become so rigid that there isn't any room for anything or anyone else in the water? Is there any wonder why surfers are so often portrayed in an unflattering light?
What really saddens me about this behavior is it makes those of us who just want to have a good time look bad, and even worse, uncomfortable. I love The Cove and it would be a shame if I no longer felt safe surfing or stand-up paddleboarding there.
So, I wonder, is this what I have to look forward to the next time I want to stand-up paddleboard at The Cove? Tell us in the comments.
