RE: [Paddlewise] 2 Rides--$125

>Maybe Geoff will share some of his secret surfing
> spots with us new guys!

When I worked in a shop in Orange County, we used to sell a fair number of
the WS Kaos, SOT surf boat.  Decent little boat, surfs OK, cheap, durable,
good intro to playing in the surf. Since I was the most avid surf paddler,
other employees would come get me when someone was asking about surf.  I'd
sell them a Kaos, and they'd ask "Where do you go surfing?", to which I'd
respond, "Well, San Onofre is a great place to learn." 

It's not that I'm secretive about where to surf.  I surf depending on
conditions, swell angle, size, tides, etc.   I surf a lot between Seal Beach
and Newport Beach when in SoCal, especially now since I tend to be staying
at my mother in laws house, but I'll drive for good waves. But I'll pretty
much surf anywhere, and there aren't many secret spots, just look for the
boardies!  I have my favorites, but nothing secret. 

   I just didn't want to sell some guy a Kaos, then paddle out the next
morning at my favorite spot and find out he'd taken out three boardies and
that kayaks were no longer "welcome".   =>   I always encouraged people to
take a class too, and in the class I stressed wave etiquette. I liked
getting people in the class, it was my favorite to teach and meant I got out
of the shop that day! 

 Which is the other downside to San Onofre, a lot of the Wave skiers there
think nothing of "party waves", dropping in on each other, and other
behaviors that frankly, would get your ass kicked at other breaks.   That's
another concern I have about San Onofre.  If paddlers think that behavior is
OK, then go to other breaks and pull that stuff there, there WILL be issues,
and I wouldn't blame the pissed off person, since that is frequently
dangerous behavior.  If I'm on a wave, and you drop in, and I'm faced with
the choice of ending up on the rocks/reef, or a collision, I'm going to be
annoyed. (not you Mark, just SanO paddlers generally)  Surf etiquette
developed for a reason, and many SanO paddlers have developed a unique, very
relaxed version of it there, and I worry that that will create more issues
at other spots.  Hopefully not. 

And lest people think I'm down on SanO, I'm certainly not.  On a solid south
swell, that place is sweet.  Really long rides on nice waves. I've had some
solid, super fun sessions there.  

Mark, sometime when I'm down that way with some time to surf, we'll have to
hook up.  I'll put you in real surf boat! => 

Geoff 
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************