Hi there,
My name is Nick, I'm a dedicated surfer and just going from beginner to intermediate. I live in SF bay area and usually go to Santa Cruz. I grew up trying to surf and never really learned how. But now as an adult (50+) I've been committed to learning and go religiously 1x week. I have even hired a couple locals for instruction. I graduated from a long board to a semi long board. I'm using a catch surf 8' thruster soft top board and it's perfect for my abilities.
I believe in showing absolute respect for the ocean, nature and the people around me when surfing. I work very hard to be kind, say hi, give massive props and respect. Especially when I see an older guy or girl catching a wave. I always bow out of the way and let people know when I see they get a great ride. If I catch a few rides, I always let the next ones go to someone else.
Generally speaking I've found the surfing community to be extremely friendly and considerate even at Steamer Lane or Pleasure Point. But recently I tried surfing at a new spot, 4 mile in Santa Cruz. I was shouted out of the water by an aggressive white dude on a short board (actually a middle aged guy!). It happened after about 2 hrs of great surfing, nobody else had a problem with me, I clearly didn't get in anyone's way, never dropped in on anyone and pulled out of many waves or didn't even paddle for them when someone else had it. I was chatting with others in the line up and having a great time until this person came into the water.
This was one of the most troubling experiences I've ever had while surfing. I paddled for a wave and this guy came right in front of me (dropped in on me) and yelled fyou go away and was cussing all throughout his ride. Then as he paddled back out, he was cussing at me, saying fyou we kicked long boarders out of here a long time ago, this is a hardcore locals spot, fyou, you should never paddle for a wave a local is trying to catch etc.
Anyway this guy was extremely angry and aggressive for no real good reason, and nobody else out there had a problem until this one person came in the line up. It was not a particularly great day, maybe 2-3' decent waves and about 5-6 in the lineup.
I'm really at a loss as to what do to. I don't want to be intimidated by one angry person, I do want to respect the line up and the sport. I don't want to just let someone intimidate me out of the water, I feel that I have just as much a right to be there as anyone else and really want to go back to that spot. In fact the aging/agro old school guys need to encourage more of us (beginners and women) to get out there and keep the ocean clean and the sport thriving. One day they will be aging long boarders too and they will have just as much right to be there as the new young guys.
Has anyone else experienced this and have any suggestions? It's hard enough to challenge yourself, break your fears, get in the cold water and learn a very scary and intimidating sport at the mercy of the ocean. This was a very disturbing experience for me. I want to learn and grow from it, not let it become another fear to overcome in an already challenging sport. Any advise would be appreciated.