What to do in a crowded lineup?

[surfinggrrrl]

I have been surfing for over 30 years, however I only get out once a week, and that’s only been for the last 2-3 years. I am probably an intermediate surfer. Riding a 9’ 2”, and now a 10’ 4” log for super tiny days, I surf at a Northern CA spot, with generally 1-4’ waves. Definitely a beginner and longboard spot. Most of my recent experience is in very small waves.

If the surf is 2’ or under I am fine, catching my share of waves, since there is little to no competition. However, now I find myself out in the lineup on bigger days, which can be really fun, but mostly frustrating. I can be sitting on the outside, with maybe four other surfers, and as set approaches, everyone paddles for positioning, and I am usually the last one to find the right spot, and I miss the wave. No problem, I just catch the next one. Not… the other two guys got that one. Now set has gone by, well maybe next set. No, the same guys are back again, and the cycle keeps repeating itself.
So, what’s the solution? Paddle hard, get to the curl faster. Given my current level of fitness, I don’t see a remedy. (Working on it!) Go surfing more often? (Working on that too) Go to a new spot? Always looking for the right spot, but everywhere accessible seems so packed. Tried one spot, I thought it might break, and waited 30 minutes, for no waves.
It is really frustrating to go out for over an hour and catch only 3 waves. On a really small or rarely uncrowded day, I might get 6-8 waves, so I am not lighting it up, but it’s a lot more fun. I won’t even go to the bigger spots locally, so many surfers they look like ants in the water. I realize the surfers on the inside get even fewer rides usually, but they are mostly beginners at this spot.
So any ideas on how to solve the crowded lineup problem?

[oldmansurfer]

Well if it is the same guys did you try talking to them? It might be they would let you catch a wave or tell you what to do. Swimming can help build your arm strength and weights as well when you aren't surfing. Surfing more often is always good

[billie_morini]

Hi surfinggrrrl,
I used to live in NorCAL and surfed Pleasure Point at least twice each month. That's a little more than a mile from Capitola. I never surfed at Capitola, but it sounds like it has been your "go to" place for many years. Your 10 ft 2 in board sounds large. Is it a struggle to carry?

Anyway, back to your question. It sounds as though: 1) you are not in the sweet spot for the wave that's coming or it'd be all yours at the outset of paddling, or 2) you are not staking the claim to your wave. If there are many people and a few greedy ones thrown in, that will go if they see any hesitation in the other surfer. Some people go with the anticipation to pull out if the other surfer makes it or take the wave if the other surfer doesn't make it. I wonder if sometimes this tactic fakes you out.

The ideal thing would be for you to go out with two or more friends, especially guys. Collectively, you all should do better or should at least exert more fairness for everyone. Because you have been going to the same break for a long time, you should be able to cultivate some friendships, if you do not presently have any there.

I wonder, too, if you simply need to be more aggressive. Women are delightful and they work together to solve problems. In contrast, most men simply muscle their way through things. Support is often incidental. Become more bold and claim your wave. If it is legitimately yours, don't back off.

Wish I were still in NorCAL because I'm sure I'd enjoy surfing with you.
billie

[Big H]

I dream of only having to battle with four people for a wave......


....take the inside position on the wave if you miss out...next set is all yours....don't be the last to paddle into position....

[oldmansurfer]

If your only problem is the guys were taking off deeper than you then the solution is to lineup deeper so they have no chance of making the wave from a deeper point

[waikikikichan]

Your picture shows you at my home break "Canoes Waikiki". I don't know your current spot, but isn't there the Left side you can ride instead of battling for the right ? In Waikiki it's so easy to catch many waves and ride for so long. But another thing it's " Lady's First " in Waikiki. The Guys will let the girls go and the beach boys will block so the girls can have the clean shoulder. Maybe at your break it's Darwin's Law

[surfinggrrrl]

Thanks for all your replies, The picture is from vacation at Waikiki, yes great break, even when its packed.

[billie_morini]

Wahines and Kanaka,
That's "Ladies and Gentlemen" to you Haoles!
The Sharp Eyes 2015 Award goes to .....
(drum roll, please...)
Our forum's own, W. Chan!

[waikikikichan]

I think it should be Wahine and Kane. In Hawaiian, there's no singular or plural for lady/woman. Men's restrooms have Kane written on the door. I hear Kanaka, used more for a local person. While Kanaka Maoli is reserved for pure native Hawaiians. Does anyone know what a "Kanak Attack" means ?

[billie_morini]

Kanaka Attack = the feeling of intense laziness that one gets from eating too much

You are correct about Wahine and Kane. I've been away from HI too long and it especially shows when using the native language.

[312T4]

Hi,
i often have the same problem and there isn't a solution.
What i do:
(first - I surf points) i reach the line up and wait. i watch the guys/girls, see who's very good and who's just like me or worst. I wait 2 or 3 sets and in between i put myself a step closer to the sweet spot. If a good set comes all the good surfers will catch something and they'll be away for a minute. That's when I paddle and put my self first in the pack order. Now if the waves don't come fast enough all those guys will be paddling around me, but if keep your position the others will end up taking off in the white water and not going anywhere. So usually only one or two, maybe 3 person sneak around you while most of the surfers will let you have a go. Of those 3 only one is good enough, and catch a good enough wave to make form where he's. the other 2 don't and you have to paddle knowing that they are trying it anyway. Best thing is to go and check them just before of after pop up. Usually you have your wave.
In all this there's one problem: you have to be good enough and confident enough to go for it and make it. If you wipe out.. then it's hard.
But as someone else said, if it's not crowed and you make small talk, a smile, contribute to have a nice vibe, you shouldn't have too much trouble to be able to have your share.

another thing is: the points that i surf are usually long and in small, nice days, present more than one spot to take off. Something I paddle for one hour triyng different positions and seeing the changing tide..
often I'm able to find a spot where people are relaxed and you can have fun..

[flipper]

A great surfer once told me that he who starts paddling first generally wins. You've got to be in approx the right spot but lots of times if you begin paddling before anyone else, the others will (or may) back off. Also, at all costs, do not blow the first wave you catch if you're at the main peak. Do that and you'll instantly become meat for all the sharks looking for any sign of weakness. Ask me how I know .

[Surf Hound]

If you are surfing Capitola generally 3-4 people take off on every wave. Hoping that surfing etiquette will take over and people stop paddling if the wave should be yours just does not happen in that area, too many beginners. My advice would be keep paddling and catch the wave, (assuming it should be yours) stand up and take notice how many people are left on the wave. Typically one guy ends up going straight, 1 surfer pulls out and the others are left to surf. If its your wave be careful and continue surfing. I think some guys assume everyone will miss or fall on the wave so they don't pay attention to etiquette. If that is the case the ones behaving like that will notice you are capable of surfing and give way when its your wave. Basically, you gotta be more aggressive and don't give way it the wave should be yours. One or two waves like that and you will have eliminated half of your problems. The other half of the problem will be beginners which are always a problem in that area but will most likely be the guys falling off at take off or just going straight so no worries. I understand your frustration and have the same problems on occasion at Steamer lane or Pleasure Point. Bigger surf tends to weed out those problems the best. One of the many things I miss about Hawaii was the line up took care of itself and etiquette was rampant - or else. lol

[Tudeo]

If you are surfing Capitola generally 3-4 people take off on every wave.

This happens here (Bali) in Batu Bolong, this wave attracts a lot of beginners and surfschools.

I've seen local surfguides push their students in the wave so they drop into people already riding it, all accompanied with happy smiles. On the beginners and the local guides faces that is..

When I surf there I adjust my ettiquette accordingly If someone made the wave in a deeper position then I just make a mental descision: "he's not going to make it", and continue on the wave but not doing hard cutbacks to avoid accidental collision.. But if they give me a signal like a shout, then I pull out or kick out immediately, so they can enjoy their wave.

When I takeoff deep and know I'll make the wave I shout "Inside!" to the dropins, they always reluctantly leave the wave, slow enough to spoil whatever manoeuvre I wanted to do.

I would like to talk to them afterwards, but since I use putty earplugs that doesn't always work.. Last time I was on a beauty of a right, a guy paddling out spoiled my cutback and made me kick out. The guy, experienced surfer, said something that made me furious. I was ready for anything and shouted "You spoil my wave and now u complain to me!?". The guy just kept paddling and said: "I said sorry".

Hard to find Zen in crowds..

[drowningbitbybit]

Hard to find Zen in crowds..

He's the guy sitting off on the shoulder, happy to sit in the ocean and watch the carnage on the peak, right until the big set comes through and then it's his turn

[Big H]

If you are surfing Capitola generally 3-4 people take off on every wave.

This happens here (Bali) in Batu Bolong, this wave attracts a lot of beginners and surfschools.

bbchaos.JPG

I've seen local surfguides push their students in the wave so they drop into people already riding it, all accompanied with happy smiles. On the beginners and the local guides faces that is..

When I surf there I adjust my ettiquette accordingly If someone made the wave in a deeper position then I just make a mental descision: "he's not going to make it", and continue on the wave but not doing hard cutbacks to avoid accidental collision.. But if they give me a signal like a shout, then I pull out or kick out immediately, so they can enjoy their wave.

When I takeoff deep and know I'll make the wave I shout "Inside!" to the dropins, they always reluctantly leave the wave, slow enough to spoil whatever manoeuvre I wanted to do.

I would like to talk to them afterwards, but since I use putty earplugs that doesn't always work.. Last time I was on a beauty of a right, a guy paddling out spoiled my cutback and made me kick out. The guy, experienced surfer, said something that made me furious. I was ready for anything and shouted "You spoil my wave and now u complain to me!?". The guy just kept paddling and said: "I said sorry".

Hard to find Zen in crowds..

Hah....was out there on Tuesday....was pretty big (7-10ft) so I thought it would thin the crowd....it did but there were still several that had no business being out there....my sesh ended when I latched on to a big one, took the drop only to see a guy hanging on his shortboard in the pits on my line....I shift a bit and am going to thread the needle and get past him....the wave breaking on my back he throws his board and dives....when he bailed he pushed the board right across my path....manages to snare me with the leash....I know this because I slow a little then the board stops abruptly and flips upside down..... I am catapulted and in the ensuing whitewater that I'm getting rolled in I wind up taking a shot between the legs from his board....I know this because it lodges there and I have to extract it....I have a huge black and blue swollen bruise on my pelvis right next to my genitals from it....hurt so bad!!!!....anyhow, whitewater passes, I took his board, threw it at him and told him to always hold on to your f$%@#ing board......he just looked freaked out and didn't say anything....I wasn't happy AT ALL and took the very next wave all the way in.......still sore and skipped yesterday because it hurt too much to lay on a board.....I like that wave a lot but HATE the crowds there, mainly because it is a zoo and a fair amount of the people out there know very little about what it is all about and struggle to paddle their boards without falling off, let alone actually catch a wave.....

Tudeo, I won't even go out there in conditions like the one you have pictured....if the report says that I stay far away....days like that the Zoo really comes to life......

[Big H]

I yell all the time when I'm on.....makes little difference.....no one makes way out there, drop in with impunity and is a general mess.....at least if you take the bigger waves most can't make the drop so nature takes care of that.......happy to surf tuflite out there for sure.....

[Big H]

Here is a shot of a mid sized wave from that day.....not really raw beginner conditions.....

[Big H]

Writing this got me mad all over again......

[jaffa1949]

even when you are angry you are considerate, could have punched fin or two out or thrown the board to shore ( which wouldn't have worked, legrope)
the lethal chucked board.