The psychology/sociology of "localism"

[Hang11]

Banned from surfing? That sucks.

[deaddreamer]

i personally used to be like this hatting locals and slashing tyers etc, and i now see this wasnt the way, im 17 now and i realized the dudes i used to roll with were right but handled it wrong, the locals were i used to live loved the beaches, loved the water loved everything there, and the spent a full day a week cleaning every bi of rubbish from the tourists up, then after that they would have to deal with touro's snaking waves and then abusing them, so they took action, which at the time seemed like a good idea.
but sometimes touro's need to be aware people live there and have a way of doing things, n that HAS to be respected, we all need to learn this then we can all just chill and not worry aslong as were respectfull.

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

in hawaii a lot of locals have animosity for tourists, including myself, even if they are family. its like localism on a large scale. i think it has something to do with their idea of it being "paradise' and they want to consume it, have no concern for metro hawaii. and they drive around in silly american convertibles

It's a double edged sword. We need those tourists to keep our economy afloat, but most of us prefer that they stay where ever they came from. What really sucks is those mainland guys who move here and think they're locals just because they have a Hawaii zipcode. During the last south swell I saw some haole guy hassling a Hawaiian. What the hell is up with that?! That guy seriously should have been "regulated".

[Otter]

Show respect, get respect. If your skilled, most surfers won't hassle you. If you aren't, surf somewhere that you're not interfering with more experienced people. When you get the skill, and feel competent to handle the size and shape of the wave, go where ever you like. Should be OK. BUT RESPECT THE LOCALS, kill the surf nazis.

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

in hawaii a lot of locals have animosity for tourists, including myself, even if they are family. its like localism on a large scale. i think it has something to do with their idea of it being "paradise' and they want to consume it, have no concern for metro hawaii. and they drive around in silly american convertibles

It's a double edged sword. We need those tourists to keep our economy afloat, but most of us prefer that they stay where ever they came from. What really sucks is those mainland guys who move here and think they're locals just because they have a Hawaii zipcode. During the last south swell I saw some haole guy hassling a Hawaiian. What the hell is up with that?! That guy seriously should have been "regulated".

that is the worst, like those kauai guys that were on the news protesting the superferry, and half the population of the north shore( seems like it to me)

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

in hawaii a lot of locals have animosity for tourists, including myself, even if they are family. its like localism on a large scale. i think it has something to do with their idea of it being "paradise' and they want to consume it, have no concern for metro hawaii. and they drive around in silly american convertibles

It's a double edged sword. We need those tourists to keep our economy afloat, but most of us prefer that they stay where ever they came from. What really sucks is those mainland guys who move here and think they're locals just because they have a Hawaii zipcode. During the last south swell I saw some haole guy hassling a Hawaiian. What the hell is up with that?! That guy seriously should have been "regulated".

that is the worst, like those kauai guys that were on the news protesting the superferry, and half the population of the north shore( seems like it to me)

Amen!!!

[Bub]

I thought I heard somewhere (maybe on this message board, not sure) that the locals of Kauai island are more protective of their "local spots" more so than on the other islands? Is that a true statement? If so I'm just wondering why is it that way (specifically for the locals / tourists to that island vs. the others).

[CHarvey]

From my limited experience I have noticed that the islands that get the most tourism tend to have more the locals only thing going on. I don't blame them one bit. Living in Mission Beach I can sympathize. I deal with the same crap during the summer. Bunch of tourists that think they own the place and trash our community.

[parrysurf]

ID badges and permits should be issued for surfing.....got to pass a test...the DSV...department of surfing vehicles...without this permit, your ass will be kicked, and your board broken.

[tomcat360]

Banned from surfing? That sucks.

Yeah. That's the product of a pointed thruster tip and lawyers.

Just idiots getting hit with boards, potentially by idiot surfers. And without a leash or outside of these lines ( I mean by like 20 yards depending on the patroller) it means 500 dollar no questions asked ticket. I have surfed outside of it some and I haven't gotten in trouble, but I have a friend who got a 500 dollar one for hardly being out of the lines. And it's not like it's clearly marked.....

But the way I understand it is that Hawaii thrives from tourism, yet is screwed by it. Property costs are through the roof because of rich mainland people buying it for vacation. So the economy was fine without tourism, but since it now has tourism, the economy can't get rid of it, otherwise the population couldn't be supported. Such a sucky situation....

[pkbum]

ID badges and permits should be issued for surfing.....got to pass a test...the DSV...department of surfing vehicles...without this permit, your ass will be kicked, and your board broken.

Hahaha nice one!

[isaluteyou]

From my limited experience I have noticed that the islands that get the most tourism tend to have more the locals only thing going on. I don't blame them one bit. Living in Mission Beach I can sympathize. I deal with the same crap during the summer. Bunch of tourists that think they own the place and trash our community.

ya every summer i shoot my eyes over to mission and just see a swarm its bad enough in OB but all i see in mission are bodies. If theres even a hint of swell i will surf some of those reefs on th cliffs that scare the tourists off unfortunatly every other local has the same idea

[parrysurf]

ID badges and permits should be issued for surfing.....got to pass a test...the DSV...department of surfing vehicles...without this permit, your ass will be kicked, and your board broken.

Hahaha nice one!

It would work in our crowded so cal waters.....

Imagine a newbie badge....like a learners permit...it would only let you surf at beginner spots.....then you could get an all access beach permit when skills allowed.

Should this be self governed, or let the life guards in on the fun.

The IDSV......International Department of Surfing Vehicles. Call your local chapter

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

ive never surfed on other islands, but there is a higher white/caucasian population on kauai so its ironic if thats true.

that surf marker thing tomcat sounds lame. really lame. its illegal to surf someplaces here but it goes by beach and break, not just sections. and its not really enforced much anyway, just certain spots like the wall, id expect a beatdown if i brought a surfboard there. not a ticket. and youre right about tourism.

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

Banned from surfing? That sucks.

Yeah. That's the product of a pointed thruster tip and lawyers.

Just idiots getting hit with boards, potentially by idiot surfers. And without a leash or outside of these lines ( I mean by like 20 yards depending on the patroller) it means 500 dollar no questions asked ticket. I have surfed outside of it some and I haven't gotten in trouble, but I have a friend who got a 500 dollar one for hardly being out of the lines. And it's not like it's clearly marked.....

But the way I understand it is that Hawaii thrives from tourism, yet is screwed by it. Property costs are through the roof because of rich mainland people buying it for vacation. So the economy was fine without tourism, but since it now has tourism, the economy can't get rid of it, otherwise the population couldn't be supported. Such a sucky situation....

We depend on tourism and the military in Hawaii and we do feel it when tourism is down (like now due to subprime lending crisis and volatile stock market), but yes the price of housing is still ridiculously high (A 650 sqft cottage in my neighborhood has an asking price of $587K) because foreign and mainlander investors drove up the prices over the past few years. Basically I think we're going to see more and more gentrification here as locals and Hawaiians can no longer afford the cost of living. This is a sore subject amongst locals.

As for localism here... There was a "regulator" who surfed at Bowls & Kaiser who punched a mainland haole guy and detached the guy's retina. The local had to serve some jailtime and was banned from surfing anywhere in town for something between 5 - 7 years.

When I was surfing on Kauai a haole girl was trying to be aggressive but she wasn't really an issue since she couldn't surf and her friends weren't bothering us. I just found it irritating since my husband and I looked more local than she did.

[Dr Rev]

I can understand why locals get miffed by newbies not showing respect, but it shouldnt lead to violence, thats not what surfing is about ! My view is no-one owns the ocean, we all share it, just some people are fortunate to live by the Ocean, where as some of us travel a great distance to be there !


Think it all boils down to is respect for each other and the Ocean !

[Bub]

I can understand why locals get miffed by newbies not showing respect, but it shouldnt lead to violence, thats not what surfing is about ! My view is no-one owns the ocean, we all share it, just some people are fortunate to live by the Ocean, where as some of us travel a great distance to be there !


Think it all boils down to is respect for each other and the Ocean !

I agree, I don't think there is a place for violence at all. Newbies need educated. I think most of the time, newbies just don't have any clue about etiquette, snaking waves, being in the way etc. If your experience or a local, paddle over and tell them how it works. If they don't take the advice...then perhaps a threat might be called for but I'd bet 80%+ or more of confrontations could be avoided with polite communication and education.

[garbarrage]

in ireland the limit to the coastal property that someone can own is the high tide mark. nobody can own the ocean... that simple. i can completely understand people being protective of their local area if its a case of civic pride and responsibility. that said there is never an excuse for violence out there. its dangerous enough as it is.
tomcat - sucks to be american... (no offence). went to school in chicago and was shocked at how sue-happy people are over there. seeing the beginnings of it over here now.ambulance chasers and no win no fee solicitors. hope it doesn't get as bad as the states.

[tomcat360]

tomcat - sucks to be american... (no offence). went to school in chicago and was shocked at how sue-happy people are over there. seeing the beginnings of it over here now.ambulance chasers and no win no fee solicitors. hope it doesn't get as bad as the states.

Yeah it really sucks. A guy I was talking with that owns a ski shop here said he went to the UK and one of the shops had a little rail jam out back of the shop with that weird snow carpet stuff and he said it was a blast. So he wanted to set one up here outside his shop, since we live away from the mountains and it will keep the kids out of trouble. But he said that the insurance alone from liability would put him out of business.

Said in the UK it's kinda more of a "I'm gonna sue you", "yeah try it" type deal?

[garbarrage]

kinda seen as cool to claim from a company or corporation, basically anyone who expects it and is covered. everybody knows someone who made a few bucks from an accident particularly in the workplace, but to claim from someone personally... who could live with the shame.

think we'd make a pariah of someone like that... haven't seen it yet but say its only a matter of time.