When waves come crashing down on the beach, you’re likely to see surfers and paddleboarders. Yet these two rarely get along. Surfers, in particular, abhor stand up paddlers because of the size of the board. It’s hard to maneuver around SUPs when you only have seconds to spare.
Stand up paddle boards can reach up to 14 feet long. The coast guard doesn’t even classify them as boards. They recognize them as a vessel.
Size is a serious issue in the ocean and riding waves. When a surfer is riding down a wave, they may suddenly discover a paddleboarder crossing in front of them. That’s a lot of board to cross in just a few seconds. Typically, the surfer can’t turn in time.
As a result, they end up riding over the board, beaching, and falling into the water. A perfect ride on a wave may be dashed just because the paddleboard couldn’t move fast enough due to its size.
There’s also a lot of hate over the skill in stand up paddleboarding compared to surfing. Surfers believe that stand up paddle boarding is cheating when it comes to riding the waves. They’re using a paddle to help correct their balance and ride the wave easier.
Yet some paddleboarders say that it’s actually harder to surf on a paddleboard than a shortboard. This is because the length of the paddleboard requires you to constantly be aware of every inch of the board. If even one part of it isn’t centered where it needs to be, then you’re likely going to fall off the wave.
The paddle doesn’t necessarily help with their balance either. It can become cumbersome and difficult to use when the wave is pushing you at a fast speed.
Until surfers start paddleboarding and until paddleboarders start surfing, they likely will never understand the complexities of both.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why surfers hate paddleboarders is because of the lack of etiquette on the waves. Because stand up paddleboarding is typically seen as a way for tourists to try their hand at riding the waves, the sport sees a lot of beginners and newbies to the sport.
Those beginners don’t take the time to research surf etiquette. This can make quite a few seasoned surfers especially angry since they practice etiquette seriously. Like any kind of sport where you have to interact with other people, it always pays to do your research beforehand.
7 Things Short Boarders Hate About SUPs
In particular, surfers hate the following about SUPs:
- Large boards
- Lack of experience
- Lack of surf etiquette
- Tendency to cross surfers
- Tendency to steal swells
- Tendency to bail boards quickly
- Overall danger of paddleboards
Are Prone Surfers Mellowing Toward SUP Surfers?
It’s been a few years since the introduction of SUP to the water world. While it still gains a lot of popularity and tourists will likely continue to try their hand at learning the sport, you may think that surfers have become used to the presence of SUP surfers.
This isn’t always the case.
Surfers are actually becoming more concerned with the dangers of paddleboard surfers. Many have been in situations where the paddleboarder bailed their board only for the huge board to come soaring at them. When the board either strikes them or their own board, it can cause a lot of damage. It’s a heavy board that could potentially break bones if nothing else.
Many surfers instead want some form of regulation on using paddleboards to surf. Some even think they should be banned from surfing entirely. They believe that it’s just one massive lawsuit away from being banned.
Others are a bit more mellow to the presence of paddleboarders. They believe that the ocean is for everyone. As long as people are respectful to one another and follow surfer etiquette, everyone should be allowed the chance to surf the waves.
Yet others firmly believe that stand up paddleboards should be reserved for the locations that first brought them popularity–rivers and small lakes. Areas that don’t have much of a swell are ideal for SUP because they can safely paddle themselves across the water. There is less risk of injuring someone because the paddler fell off their board.
SUP Etiquette When SUP Surfing – 4 Tips
If you plan on SUP surfing, then the best thing you can do is make sure that you understand surfer etiquette. This will not only promote your own safety but the safety of others around you.
Here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind:
1. Respect the Line-Up
Just because the width and length of your board allow you to paddle deeper into the water and catch the swell earlier doesn’t mean you should. There’s always a line-up when it comes to surfing. Get in the line and wait your turn.
2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Your board could seriously hurt someone. It’s vital that you’re especially aware of your surroundings. Don’t cross into someone’s path, especially if they’re a surfer. It’s unlikely that they can ride over your board safely.
3. Under the Rule of Right of Way
Just like driving, there’s a right of way when it comes to surfing. Whoever is the closest to the point of the wave gets the right of way. If they’re heading towards you, then you need to slow up and let them pass.
It’s also important to understand that there is one rider per way. The only time two people are acceptable is if those parties are heading in opposite directions.
4. Don’t Throw the Board
While it can be difficult to control your paddleboard, you need to have some way of keeping it close to you. Surfers typically have a leash that binds the board to them. If they fall, then the board remains tethered to them rather than crashing through the waves.
This is important because it keeps the board from potentially injuring someone. You should have some sort of leash system for your board and paddle.