The StokeReport Code

While helpful for keeping SR tidy, I doubt we have any takers to operate ArgueReport or StokeArgue. I'm personally partial to AngryReport.

I find it quite interesting that you complain about the localism posts, yet everyone seems to be more than willing to chime in on these topics. Check out the most popular rants - pretty much all about localism. The utopian Stoke Report vision is a total fantasy. The recent post by cryptomail has over 40 comments! It's pretty funny watching everyone swagger and preen behind their fictitious name and avatar - I can surf anywhere I want, I will not be intimidated, etc...

Here's the thing - in most sports, there are written rules, a maximum number of players allowed on the field at any given time, leagues, divisions, etc to keep things fair and competitive. Players work their way up through the system and if they get good enough, they are allowed to compete at the highest level with similarly talented people. I seriously doubt that anyone here would even consider running out onto the field or court to join in an NFL or NBA game in progress because 'it's a free country and I can play anywhere I want to play', yet that is EXACTLY what you all feel you can do when you surf. Surfing has a much more organic system of rules and regulations. Yes, it seems primitive and unfair, but just as there is regulation in other sports, there needs to be regulation in surfing.

If you paddle out at OB, LindaMar, Bolinas, etc. there is plenty of space to find a peak and crowd that suits your abilities. If you are going to paddle out at a spot that is obviously for experienced surfers that has a much smaller playing field and take off zone, it is asinine to think that you will be welcomed with open arms and allowed to step right up and take the next set wave, especially if there are very few sets coming in and the regulars are barely getting enough waves themselves. This is the reality of the sport. It takes a lot of dedication and effort for people to get good at surfing. People who have put in the time and energy to do this are going to be very reluctant to welcome any new faces in their lineup, because they know what it takes to get to their level. They are serious about surfing, just like other athletes are serious about their chosen sport. I've been in the water with pros and I can tell you that they are far from welcoming if they don't know you. They usually have their posse with them, regulating and making sure that the pro gets whatever wave he wants. Why do you think they do this? I think the answer is obvious.

The ocean is free, but it is foolish to think that means you can surf anywhere you want to. This is the kind of attitude that will create more problems than it solves. If you want to surf at spot Y (or any other high quality wave), you need to respect the locals. You need to be patient and observant. You need to be prepared to spend quite a few sessions hanging on the inside, waiting for the occasional waves that are available because someone wiped out, that no one took, etc. You need to make sure that you don't drop in on anyone or ruin waves by crumbling the shoulder paddling for a wave that is already taken. If you surf well enough and show enough respect, you will eventually find that the locals will begin to recognize you and maybe start being a little less aggro towards you. If you have only been surfing for a few years and are not anywhere near the level of experience of the 'pack', do yourself a favor and recognize where you fit in. Do not attempt to paddle right up to the top and compete with surfers that have been surfing far longer and are obviously far better. You are not entitled to surf at the good spots because the ocean is free. You are more than welcome to try to get as good as you can and eventually, when you have a much clearer sense of the rules, understand the dedication involved and are able to respect the commitment it takes, then you can start the process of working your way into spot Y.

It is not just the fact that spots get more crowded that bothers the locals - it is the fact that inexperience at a challenging spot can also be dangerous to you and everyone else out there. I've seen all kinds of carnage out at spot Y. Broken boards, broken bones, gashes, fights, you name it. It is a serious spot that has serious consequences and inexperience doesn't work there. It's not going to change because of Stoke Report and the utopian vision contained herein.

By the way, it's pretty hypocritical to complain about localism and regulation when you localize and regulate your online community in the exact same manner.

wow - you really took the time to type all that BS?... spewing age old arguments that repeat the old tired "me me mine" mentality.

Comparing paddling out to certain breaks to walking onto the field during an NFL game is so dumb I won't even type any more of response to it...

given, there are some rules that make surfing better for people - but there are also no rules which make things great too.

as I said before.
get out of my way

this isn't directed at anyone (or any side) in particular, but i'm saddened by the downward spiral of the discussion on stokereport. i've turned off the commenting feature for the rest of the day to give us some time to ponder this. hopefully the surf will improve soon and our moods will follow.

surfing ain't all rainbows and unicorns. what's wrong with a little anger? Sheesh, lighten up.

nalu pretty much nailed it. the nba/nfl analogy was a bit over the top. but if you wanted to play some pickup basketball at a neighborhood park, would you expect to get equal time in any game at any park? hell no. you would look for games/parks that fit with your skill level. if you wanted to step it up a bit you would show up at the better courts and look for a game that was short handed to try and get some experience. parks are free, open spaces (supported by your taxes no less). how is surfing any different? feel free to substitute basketball with soccer/ultimate frisbee/hackey sack (sorry, 'foot bag')/whatever the kids are playing in parks these days.

just because someone subscribes to a utopian free-love vision of surfing doesn't mean they can force it on everyone else. likewise for the opposite of this, of course...

hey crypto - minor clarification. part of my point was that there is no park that you 'don't belong at'. BUT, if you want a lot of playing time you choose wisely. you don't expect equal time no matter where you go. oh, and you absolutely don't walk up with four of your buddies and expect to just take over half the court.

i don't understand why these issues have to be so negative and relegated to a 'taboo' subject around these parts. we've all been on both sides of this (or at least many have) and it certainly is an issue in some form or another almost every time you paddle out. there also seems to be a fair number of relatively inexperienced folks on here, and understanding the attitudes and mindset of others can only be a good thing. right?

@minyan: it's not taboo but (1) i think most of us are sick of hearing about it and (2) the discussion typically degenerates into personal insults, which i'm sure is fun to watch, but isn't the purpose of this site. it's the stokereport not the dickreport ;)

i can't believe i just got sucked back into talking about it. doh!

I agree with what Duckdive says about how it's gotten personal and unnecessarily angry in previous posts. But I think Nalu, Minyan and others have done a pretty good job of keeping things informative, and even factual, without being dicks or throwing out personal insults. A little chest thumping from Cutback Johnson, but it's understandable.

I think the best quote I've read lately is from Nalu:

"By the way, it's pretty hypocritical to complain about localism and regulation when you localize and regulate your online community in the exact same manner."

I really don't think you can expect to have it both ways. You can't winge and moan about how regulated the lineups are and then in the same breath try to regulate the environment in which these lineups are discussed. I think as long as people keep things out of the gutter, these criticisms are a GOOD THING and in fact can be helpful to people trying to find a spot in the lineups. If people can listen and learn to the pointers brought up in these recent posts without taking them as a personal attack, it’s all just more information that can be useful in the long run.

For the record: I'm not angry :)

also - not into repetition

This discussion is a slippery slope. I mentioned a while back that awesome public surfing forums have gone towards negativity and ended up being dismantled. The stokereport moderator doesn't seem excited about this progression.

Mark, I hate to call you out publicly, but you've been on here for few days and you're calling people's thoughtful posts stupid...

You might think it was a waste of time, but I happened to enjoy it and agree on mosts aspects. But I happen to find you're comments offensive. I think the numbers on the bottom are pretty clear.

I understand how such a direct comment is considered offensive (as it was intended to be) - I don't mean to explicitly stir up trouble - but sometimes passion takes over, rational thought is squeezed out and my feelings become obvious - I was stunned at the lack of though that went into a blatant re-peat of what has been the local (U.S.) surfer's mantra since the dawn of time. Like most, i'm not trying to re-start this discussion here, I have been surfing for most of my life (East Coast, West Coast, South Pacific) and have witnessed horrible practices of surfers towards other surfers - Just something I want to avoid more of in the future.

If i surfed dillon beach regularly, i would not approve of this site,
criticism is in order, hearing it from people at linda mar (and angry old dudes for that matter)

But thought that it got to be incidents in the am, i'm just surfing; I agree with what i said.

I think there is a lot lately. It's all about localism. I think i can to make the situation worse.

These are things you just do (or don't get it), or how extreme it is.

These people have of entitlement! It's all about the personal, and i'm not the surfing community.

Sort of imagine that you're not in one's best interest to drop into the
wrong spot, fine they deserve to be a byob and if you are not. To piggyback on @mark cutback johnson's well thought out message ever
posted here, no surprise it got chris some of the discussion is a
different vibe and i can live with.

And i have seen outright vehemence at other surfer forums!

This doesn't have to say there's a pack on a regular contributor to the
stokereport, I take the name calling when the time it happened.

Cutting to the water and minds my own at times - mainly interested in
funding or promoting local surf culture was here first, but the fact that
i find here. But then i think are essentially brainless meatheads simply because it is
clear that this was gonna happen.

But what i mean!

The mantra among successful internet businesses is "listen to your
opinion, i've gotten ###### is a time and do not agree
and that tensions have been two other threads with constructive
discussion.

The more you go, more you score' motto.

I really hate to say this, but, "Can't we All just get along?" Albeit there was a lot of interesting sparring, positioning, opinions both positive and negative, and even some vitriolic dribble spewed. In conclusion, I strongly believe that we all learned more about all who contributed to these posts about "localism," I know I did. And having said that, I'd welcome anybody at any break that I'd surf, weather it had been for decades, or the first time. I'm an Old Guy, but can still hold my own. So go ahead and drop in on me, snake me, yell at me, do what ever you feel you need to, I'll stay and keep having a good time in the surf.

The weather is about to change for the better, and when we're at the beach and in the water we'll all be in a better mood too.

Enough of this negativity, its run its course far enough.

Just my .02 cents.

BTW, I'll be at the Bo Friday late A.M. First time out in a year. Should make for something to laugh at.

this is get more totally awesomer not that I'm depravitivelyish postive like who agrees with what and who that doesn't ?