Surely I'm not the only one who's come within a split second of a fatal accident with an SUPer.
I usually surf spots that longboarders don't even go to, but occasionally I find myself surfing in Cardiff and half of the time I come really close to having my new worst accident story.
3 years ago, I had 4" deep rail gap taken out of a tuflite, using it as my shield.
It's lame to have regulations, but can we start some OFFICIAL GUIDELINES for building safer SUPs? I'm mostly concerned with cranial impacts. Please don't tell me to where a helmet.
I'll start it:
1)Entire board with accessories must be under 12lbs. Board itself must be under 11lbs....if you don't know how to do this, just ask.
2)No pointed noses.
i)Only blunt noses.
ii) Minimum radius of nose outline should 4"...about the radius of your skull.
iii) Minimum radius of nose rail should be 1" ....yes that's thick
3)Padded rails.
i) Minimum 1/8" thick x 1" wide thermoplastic foam on the apex of the rail, around the entire outline...like boogey board foam...would take care of your paddle dings also
4)Fins should yield with 10lbs force (now they probably yield at 100-200lbs...breaking point).
i)make a fin box that goes through the board. Pinned on the front of the fin base and
spring loaded on the back of the fin base. When there's an impact the fin rotates up into the board.
5) please add...
Maybe we should also ad some rules for short boards like no pointy nose. Maybe a rail to rail airbag on all boards that pops out at impacts. Licence all surfers and Boards. Surfer must have insurance wear proper helmet and use a floation vest. Police in the line up to enforce rules. Now do you feel safer?
According to Mikki Dora Malibu went to the Dogs in 1964. The Chumash Indians will tell you it was 1664.
People who mitigate risk, usually assess risk stochastically. So if a short board weighed the same as an SUP, the impact could potentially be just as bad or worse. However, the probability of being hit by a shortboard is at least an order of magnitude less than being hit by an SUP.
Just from experience:
I've surfed with SUPers in the lineup about 20 sessions in my life and I've been hit twice. 10% chance of being hit. I've surfed with shortboarders in the lineup about 2,000 sessions and I've been hit once, and he actually hit me on purpose...not sure if that counts or not. anyway that's a .05% chance.
10% versus .05% is a staggering difference. Add on to this disparity that an SUP impact is significantly worse than a shortboard impact.
Certainly it's mainstream surf culture to be so cool that we can disregard our surroundings (environment and people). But there might be a few kooks out there that want to consider their surroundings when designing a board. When they run you over, and you don't get severly injured...you might be glad.
Yeah, good luck with dictating what I or any one elses surfs.
Only in Cali...
mfw.... kook.jpg
I have had that thought on my mind lately, but not regarding SUPs. I had a couple of incidents recently.
1) I knocked my knee on the deck of my 16 lb. HWS. At the time I thought that I had cracked my knee cap in half. I just floated around for a little while until the throbbing went away, and luckily I was ok. Wooden boards are not fun to tangle with in the surf.
2) I went through the rinse cycle in the shore break at Marine Street while holding onto the handplane that I recently made. It came off my hand at one point, and smacked me in the forehead. The board is super light. I used 0.5 lb. packaging EPS foam, and epoxy'ed it with a single layer of 4 oz. on both sides. The deck and rails were covered with a thin layer of poster board cork. It is super fun to use, and I really appreciate the light weight. I added a padded strap so I can swim using normal strokes while trying to catch waves. It is almost like wearing one of those webbed gloves. Needless to say, the blow to my head felt like a marshmallow impact. I am now a big fan of cork.
You forgot the most important rule.
Only focus on your what you are doing at that moment. Don't be distracted by anything to include:
the flex characteristic of the test board you are on
inner monologue of why you hate SUP's so much
wondering if a surftec hater will run over my board
Now it is safe to surf again.
most people I see in the surf on SUP's are very skilled(way above average) watermen and woman.
The probability of a kook surfer being the problem and danger for everyone in an "A" rated surf break is much more likely than a stand up surfer. The break seems to regulate SUP's the best. Maybe consider a different break so you feel safer.
That's ironic because I feel safer in more consequential waves where SUPers won't go. When I go to a mellow break, I am in more danger.
btw, the only thing that is stopping me from SUPing is the cost to get one. I think it's a great sport...but it is young. Etiquette and design still hasn't reached maturity.
It is not ironic because that was my point. Sorry you missed it. Experts go to expert breaks, beginner SUPers seem to surf where you surf. Prone surfers on vacation here who think they are experts go to expert breaks and are a menace.
The sport of SUPing has been mainstream for 5 years at least. The designs have changed 5 times since. The use of 6 footish on up boards are used now. Men and women here are ripping on them. So far no related deaths. Can't say the same for prone surfing though. I don't recall the death count from last winter but it happened.
My take on your explanation is that SUPers get up 50 feet outside of you and you are probably in the way. When only with other prone surfers you basically are in the same line up are already out of the way.
Etiquette is for the inside floating buoy surfer is to get out of the way(or at least make an effort to) of the person on the wave, even if the inside surfer gets pounded by the white wash. For windsurfing, the etiquette states the guy coming back out has the right of way and the windsurfer on the wave goes around the guy inside.
STOKE-astically speaking, I have a PhD in SUPS which means I am Past Having Doubt that SUPs are absolutely AWESOME!!!!
Is there some move(snake) or conditions you can surf better or with more style on a SUP? Tiny surf maybe? You should be at work when its flat. Face it, SUPS ARE FOR KOOKS! Don’t kid yourself into thinking you haven’t given up.
Just for you!
supfish.jpeg
SUPfish4.jpg
As an occasional flat water paddler, I am somewhat neutral on the subject. During a recent surf session a couple of SUP guys were very careful around surfers and managed to get some great rides on some of the best sets. Anyone could see they knew what they were doing and generally speaking, appreciated their skill level.
That said, if I'm not mistaken according to Coast Guard ruling of Oct, '08, the use of a paddle changes the classification of a SUP from surfboard to "vessel." I've read recently that this classification change results in a whole new world of responsibilities and liabilities including the use of a Personal Flotation Device.
I'm not a lawyer but if I understand correctly the operator of a vessel is responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. Running down a surfer could be a violation of the law and in turn result in responsibility/liability for any personal injuries or property damage that might occur.
Perhaps you had witnesses and maybe got the guy's license plate number?
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