loco4viento wrote:So Peter, just to be clear...
Do you think a lousy rider on a SB who is interfering with the lineup should have priority over a (rare) TT rider who is ripping it up and respecting the lineup, simply because of the board he is on?
Or do you think that proper behavior should be required of each individual in the lineup regardless of the equipment used, and if behavior is good then the individual should be given respect in the lineup?
The argument that since most TT riders don't belong in the lineup, nobody on a TT should be in the lineup makes as much sense to me as saying that since most of the best wave riders are on SB's, any bozo on a SB has automatic priority.
I'm wondering if you judge people as individuals based on their behavior or do you prefer judging people by the group to which they belong?
Thanks Peter,
John
Seems very clear, also from my post, and as you put it:
"proper behavior should be required of each individual in the lineup regardless of the equipment used, and if behavior is good then the individual should be given respect in the lineup"
Nobody disagrees with this
BUT, human nature, and it makes sense no matter how wrong some think it is, will be to make an initial judgement based on experience and what you see.
This is very important, in order to avoid accidents, both on the rider and other riders.
So when we see a TT rider going out in the waves, at hardcore wavespots - we know from experience that we should pay more attention to start with.
Because, it could be someone not ready for these condtions - which means he/she could be in danger - so if someone you have never seen before, you will either observe in order to help if anything goes wrong, or maybe have a polite chat with him/her, just to ensure bad things are not going to happen out there (and share/tell about what to be careful about, where the rocks are and current etc).
Also, you keep your distance to this type of rider, untill you've seen the behaviour - simply in order to avoid accidents.
We actually see some jumping high on TT's on crowded wavespots where lots of wavewindsurfers, wavekitesurfers, and least and maybe most important - SURFERS are present !
Okay if they just went downwind (or up) a bit, as we have lots of space everywhere, and boosting high is fun - but no, it HAS to be right in the middle of "everybody"
Because most of them dont have any surf experience (just a fact), no matter how good riders they are - they dont think about surfers duckdiving under waves that could suddenly pop up where they land
This is not an example of someone not being able to cope with the condtions, but someone putting a lot of stress and real danger on everybody else out there, besides destroying the waves for a lot of riders.
So you got three (maybe 4) different scenarios:
1. A less experienced TT rider that might get in real trouble/danger for him/herself and others.
2. A really good TT rider who has no clue about reasonable behavior in waves, and how to act responsibly in order not to risk hurting others.
3. Okay or really experienced TT riders who act responsibly and are either good waveriders or not (not important as long as they are not dangerous to others or themeselves)
Personally, as I wrote in my post, I just love seeing TT riders that are good in waves - have seen this twice, and last time down in Capetown in 5 meter waves, this guy outsmoked most of the really good waveboard riders - AWESOME !
But to pay extra attention when a TT rider appears at a hardcore wavespot, makes perfect sense, in order to avoid accidents
Human nature, and very sane - I could come with many analogies that explains why this makes sense, but I think you get the point...
Regarding the 4th scenario you mention: A lousy "surfboard" rider interfering with everyone - of course that is bad behavior
Again - you dont see that (around here), because they have all started as TT riders, and quite experienced for one.
Secondly, they all start in really small waves and learn the basics on waveboards, and ramp wave size and spots up slowly during the next years, from there - and during this gradual learning, they also get to know the good behaviour when out there, as they get to ride with other riders and talk/learn.
So seeing some on a waveboard who dont know nothing about how to act responsibly in good wavespots, is hardly, or never seen here.
Of course it could happen, but again - very rare or not at all, compared to the problems seen with TT riders putting themeself in danger, or just as important, others
I dont care what equipment you use - I care about people not getting in trouble or danger, thus you should initially be more alert when alarm bells seem to whistle, even though you could be wrong when you see the actual behavior.
Last but not least - of course there are also GOOD riders, no matter what board, that has an incredibly bad conduct and just a nuisance for everyone, no respect for others - THAT is IMO truly bad behaviour of the worst kind
An idiot is an idiot - everywhere in the world
Peter
PS: I love riding waves on a TT myself sometimes too, so this is not a question about "groups"