RESPONSIBILITY, SAFTEY, ETIQUETTE AND RESPECT
- SURF/STAND-UP PADDLING
- RESPONSIBILITY: As a stand up paddler you are a very visable addition to the water sports world. People will form thier opinions on stand up paddle surfing from the way you conduct yourself on the water. The sport is growing fast and with new people taking it up everyday, each one of us needs to make sure we are passing on the god word and representing the sport in the best way possible. We are all members of the SUP & surf community.
- SAFTEY: The saftey of others and yourself is something that needs to be the top priority EVERY time you enter the water. ALWAYS be aware of the conditions around you ( currents, swells, crowds, ect. ) . If you are new to this sport, please take time to learn from an experienced guide/instructor like the ones here at ECH. Even if you have a strong surfing background, please remember that this is a new sport that rquires different techniques that are best learned in a safe and controlled evnironment. Avoid waves for your first session. Always wear a leash and if you are not a strong swimmer the use of a personal floation device is recommended.
- ETIQUETTE: Once you feel comfortable on the board and have done some flat water paddling you may like to try the boardin the surf! Surfing is an awesome sport, but it is not to be undertaken lightly! You will be going from a safe, calm environment to an unpredictable and often busy place. Demonstrating proper etiquette in the surf will get you a long way in the line up. Annoy the other surf riders and you will in for a hard time. If you follow these simple steps all should be fine.
- - Start slowly by going places that offer easy, small, mushy waves where there are FEW people if any around you.
- - Always wear a leash- this will stop your board injuring others or yourself when you fall off.
- - Never paddle out into a busy line up - the beauty od SUP is that you don't need the most perfect wave to have fun. Paddle further down the beach, away from the crowds. There you will most probably find your own, empty wave.
- - Never try to paddle on to a wave that somebosy is already riding.
- - With a SUP board you can catcha lot of waves. This does not mean you should. Be nice and if you are surfing close to others let them have thier fair share of waves. There is always another one coming. Don't be a wave hog or you and SUP surfers in general won't be welcomed back.
- RESPECT: Sharing waves and making friends is not only the right thing to do, but will make every session more enjoyable. We have an amazing opportunity to grow this wonderful sport in a positive direction. Let's all do our part and give respect to gain respect mantra every time we hit the water.
- Mahalo,
- - Bobby
