DILEMA!

[jennie]

i read in this months carve that the surfing industry is growing really quickly and that more and more people are taking up the sport.

Of course this is good to hear, but i reckon it has a downside as well.
With more people taking up the sport surely the waters are gonna get more and more crowded...and there is gonna be some real rivalry over who gets to surf which breaks. Secret spots wont remain secret for long......any thoughts??

i cant decide whether its a good thing or not?

[PapaW]

The majority of seceret spots are that way because they are usaly dangerious reefs or just more differcult to access hence why only experenced or people willing to put in the effort find them/go to them. Crowding on all the usual haunts will be an issue for sure.
This winter will be a teller as the waters get colder we'll see who are the fair weather surfers and who is dedicated.

[CCsurf]

I've been hearing that the sport is getting huge about a million times. The fact is everyone during the summer has mighty idea's of becoming an elite surfer. But when winter time comes a rollin in they all dead stop. The boom is always during summer and dies when the cold water and bigger waves come in. I truely hope more come to the sport because its a great experience for people.

[calisurfer]

yeah they always say more and more people are picking up the sport but i never see that much of an increase of people in the popular spots

[schanti]

over here in south africa it really is booming. they encourage kids at school to take up surfing. it gets them off drugs and gangs and xxxxx like that. The first weeks these kids does it for a joke. but without noticing it themselves they get hooked on it.

so in that regard i think it is good. the beginner surf spots are really crowded over here...

[sinistapenguin]

The sport is always booming in the summer, then it all goes quiet until the following summer, then it's booming again!!

The media glamorises surfing, it's portrayed as super cool - but they conveniently miss out the downsides. Cold water, wetsuits, pollution, cramp, being held under. Looking like an idiot with a blue and yellow foam board etc etc.

Don't get me wrong - it IS cool, but it takes work to get to the 'tanned, blonde surf god stage' (I'm pale as anything with dark hair - see!!)

Sinista

[CCsurf]

Well to me and probably to most thats the fun of it. Yea sure the waters cold and most people dont understand us but its FUN. Surfing is just away to test myself and get away from what people stress about. Its a great way to be independent because when it comes down to it no one is going to hold your hand as your pulling up on a wave.

[oldiebeginner]

where do they get the imformation from, merchandise or boards, wetsuit sales?
if it's from merchandise, figures do not really count as alot of non surfers buy the products, same as wetsuits, which are used for most watersports. so board sales and surfing schools only real way to tell.
hope it is just a summer thing, so alot of people will want to sell thier boards about now...
i'm looking for a mini mal about 8ft

[gulfsurfer]

I dont care how popular it gets. I know a couple of jetties that i know noone will be at...

[CheeZee]

lol... i really dont think anyone has got anything to worry about ..its the same as any sport .. you have seasonal increases and decreases and then media juggle with it now and again to keep the Corp's happy but other than that i cant see anyone having to fight their way to find a wave ..

" the more dedication something requires the quicker the turnover' of people involved "

same in kickboxing ..around chrimbo everyone fancies themselves as Bruce lee because the films are on or they think it'll be a cool way to lose the winter fat but as soon as the gut spewing training cuts in or they get a few thumps in the ear .. " the beach soon clears "

[drowningbitbybit]

It's november... the breaks are clear of 'summer surfers' already... and the water's not even cold yet!

[jennie]

yea that is true the cold water does put alot of people off.....just i spose i only surf popular and known about breaks so whenever the swell is good it is just mobbed....

need to find myself some secret spots...how on earth do you find them or get to know about them??

[oldiebeginner]

secret spots...a girlfriend once told me about the G-Spot...still looking...

[calisurfer]

haha goodone. just look for one

[CCsurf]

Its deep I swear!

[Phil]

its great this time of year surfing mid week the line ups are empty never more than 5 people out

roll on thursday

gonna go up the coast and check a few spots that i think might work when the swell hits