etiquette and aggression question

Was reading through this thread, and after a weekend (i.e. somewhat crowded) day at San O on Saturday I have an etiquette question that seems to fit here.

Mostly, I'm wondering if I should be *more* aggressive.

It was a pretty mellow crowd, of mostly long-boarders (My 7' 6" fun board was among the shorter boards out there, except for the short boards playing on the inside break.), and small, mushy surf. I found myself backing off of several waves when there were people next to me paddling for them.

I know the etiquette is generally the guy furthest away from whichever way it's breaking (i.e. the guy to my right if it's breaking left), has the right of way, but also, doesn't the first guy up have the right of way if you're both still paddling for it?

I tend to think of myself as the least capable guy in the water, so if someone else is paddling for a wave I'm paddling for, I'll generally defer to them.

However, that nets me a lot fewer waves, and several times the guy paddling next to me either didn't catch it, or sat up about the same time I did. Had I been a little more agressive and kept paddling for some of those, I might have got a few more fun rides in that day...

Should I be more aggressive and just keep paddling until I'm sure the guy with the right-of-way is in it, or am I better off being a little more deferential, until I develop more skill/experience?

...doesn't the first guy up have the right of way if you're both still paddling for it?

Should I be more aggressive and just keep paddling until I'm sure the guy with the right-of-way is in it, or am I better off being a little more deferential, until I develop more skill/experience?

Different people say different things about the first up thing. At Pleasure Point we have a sign that says first up and closest to the curl has the right of way. In practice, it's whoever is closest to the curl. I've never seen anyone defer to the first up thing here.

It's summer. It's San O... PP is a norcal equivalent of San O... it's packed with visitors, valley people, angry locals, beginners, etc. Before summer the longboard group would ask people in the line up if it's their turn or not, but since summer has hit things are just everyone for themselves. If they're going to wave hog or snake a beginner because they can then it's on their head to deal with the 9' death stick hurling towards them, IMO. In short: be more aggressive, but know when to shut the aggression off. Most people aren't dicks in the lineup.

A foam board is always a good idea for crowded days even if you aren't a beginner. No dings or sliced off heads

I am usually in a similar position, so I started watching the better surfers in the crowd to see what they did. It seems to vary with the break, but at Venice, typically everyone paddles for the wave and just looks to see if anyone who has priority over them is already on it. If not, drop in. It takes a bit of coordination, since you have to paddle like you're going for the wave and at the same time be ready to get out of the way.

Of course, the more crowded it gets, the more manners get tossed by the wayside. Just be aware of your surroundings and do what you can to not hurt yourself or anyone else.

A foam board is always a good idea for crowded days even if you aren't a beginner. No dings or sliced off heads

I've actually been eyeing one of those little foam finless boards just for messing around on crappy days. Anyone have experience with those?

Just be aware of your surroundings and do what you can to not hurt yourself or anyone else.

ignore hyuuj. violence answers everything. aggro problems? wait for them at the parking lot. beginners paddling out in front of you? launch the torpedo at them. jk jk... learning in the summer has to suck. there's a million people on longboards. be patient. crowds and scarcity brings out the best in people.

but yeah, on a longboard friendly wave you should be able to pull out really easily if someone takes priority. lean back on your board and sit up or stand up and put all your weight on the tail to stall out. if it's a steep wave that's hard to catch on a longboard anyway. San O shouldn't have that problem.

ignore hyuuj. violence answers everything. aggro problems? wait for them at the parking lot. beginners paddling out in front of you? launch the torpedo at them. jk jk...

LOL!!

haha.. or lunch when we forget to bring food for the outing..

"I'll give you 2 snake credits... for half of your peanut butter and jelly sandwich... FINE.. 1 snake credit for a bag of chips!."

Chow's on me guys

Well I experienced my first case of agression on Sunday.

I was suring some inside rights (by myself) and two short boarders paddled over next to me. I caught a nice long clean right and one of the guys was standing with his board right smack in my way. So I cut to the top of the wave and surfed around him. I missed him by an easy 3 ft. He didn't complain and he looked a little sheepish.


About 20 minutes later I take off on another clean right and he takes off going left and we were heading for each other. I hesitated in case he was just goung to bail out but he didnt so I did and then he did,too. So we both lost the nice wave.
When I paddled back his friend flips me off. So I said "No way man..it's cool" and I flashed the peace sign. Then I paddled over to them and apologized for any misunderstanding . The guy that was on the wave with me was cool but I could see that his friend was still aggrivated.

I dont know why but it still bothers me. I couldn't have been nicer and I have never had a problem before. I actually had three girls parked in front of me paddling around and having fun. They caused me to miss at least 10 waves and I never said anything to them and when I left the water we were laughing and having some fun banter with each other.

What the heck.We are surfing for fun...right?

I kinda think they were more worried about getting tangled with your longboard then surfing with you. You just happen to be on the board they don't want around haha! If it were me on your board, I would bet I too would have got the finger HAHA!

But yes. Have fun! That's why I do it.
Just keep that tank away from me. Or else haha!!!!

can't we all just.......





..... paddle out together in force and practice running interference for each other. or just snake each other yelling 'party wave' all session long. that'll be a sesh mood changer for sure. ha