Surfing Waves

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:35 pm**

OK I have a hypothetical ethics question.

Picture an average day of surfing with 4ft waves. Surfer Bob is paddling out. Surfer Neal is about six feet in front and about three feet to the side of Bob. Neal decides to take a wave and runs over Bob. Now Bob’s board is needs a $100 repair. Who should fork out the cash to fix the board?

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:24 pm**

Its one of these situations where both are to blame. Neil should have been aware of his immediate surroundings and Bob should have seen it coming and be moving to the side when a potentially catchable way is coming.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:27 pm**

PapaW wrote:Its one of these situations where both are to blame. Neil should have been aware of his immediate surroundings and Bob should have seen it coming and be moving to the side when a potentially catchable way is coming.

Neal and Bob were so close that Bob could not do any evasive maneuvers. If Neal would have gone straight rather than grabbing a rail they would have never hit.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:41 pm**

Bob was in the way then. I don't go padding directly that close someone unless I'm talking to them and now neather of us are going to be catching anything at that time.
Anyway if they where that close then how did bob not notice neil turing round from a paddling out position then paddling for the wave that takes a good 5 seconds. more than enough time to begining manoeuvring out the way.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:46 pm**

PapaW wrote:Bob was in the way then. I don't go padding directly that close someone unless I'm talking to them and now neather of us are going to be catching anything at that time.
Anyway if they where that close then how did bob not notice neil turing round from a paddling out position then paddling for the wave that takes a good 5 seconds. more than enough time to begining manoeuvring out the way.

Bob was paddling out the channel. Neal was not a threat if he went straight but he decided to grab a rail. Neal was already facing beach ward, no turning around.

If you hit someone would you offer to repair their board?

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:06 pm**

Neal is at fault 100% and should pay for repairs.

Neil decided to take off and run into Bob so he's a dick.

Surfer up and riding has to avoid surfers paddling out or sitting on boards. Common sense really - who can manouvre faster? The up and riding surfer of course.

Bob was in the way but that still doesn't give anyone the right to run into someone and fk their board up! Bob is allowed to be in the way. It happens.

Anybody just takes off and runs into me when I'm sitting or paddling and then claims to be in the right will get a slap. :tut:

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:44 pm**

I would tend to agree with broosta.

Neil should chill out and wait for the next wave if he can't control his board well enough to avoid hitting someone!

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:02 pm**

Splinter wrote:
PapaW wrote:Bob was in the way then. I don't go padding directly that close someone unless I'm talking to them and now neather of us are going to be catching anything at that time.
Anyway if they where that close then how did bob not notice neil turing round from a paddling out position then paddling for the wave that takes a good 5 seconds. more than enough time to begining manoeuvring out the way.

Bob was paddling out the channel. Neal was not a threat if he went straight but he decided to grab a rail. Neal was already facing beach ward, no turning around.

If you hit someone would you offer to repair their board?

Ok that changes the case... but if its the channel surly there wouldn't be a wave there and thus its an impossibility that this situation could have happened :roll: