Surf Talk Guru

Seaside was featured on the news the other night because local surfers were being investigated by police for vandalism, menacing, and harassment. Not a great reputation for Oregon surfing. Check out the video link: http://www.kgw.com/home/Surfers-fighting-for-Turf-78345637.html

Well, we all know what this about. Locals don’t want to share the world class point break that’s been featured in countless magazine spreads and surf videos. Since the secret’s out, the only thing thing they have to use as a deterrent against others surfing the point is criminal activity. Surfing is popular, people. Deal with it now, it’ll probably die down in a few years.

The localism in Seaside is legendary, legitimizing it, and perpetuating its existence, but it also happens in lesser surf spots on our coast. It serves a purpose in intimidating others from coming to the surf. But, if I had to choose between having a surfer come to my beach town or a fat family of five who are going to leave popsicle wrappers and dog shit all over the beach, I’d choose the surfer, even if he was in the way once or twice.

California surfers have been forced to figure out how to deal with crowds, strangers, and the like. Santa Cruz and other popular surfing towns in California post signs stating the “rules” for surfing in that spot. That way, if anyone doesn’t know what they’re doing, they’ll hopefully get a nod toward the sign and realize the error of their ways rather than getting an immediate punch in the face.