(apologies to Gerry Lopez)
AFTERMATH
In the wake of a satisfying two weeks of surf (followed by a week of dead flat calm) along the shores of Lake Michigan the most pervasive impression retained is the flaming of several of the lake surfers and Kite boarders in a couple posts on the Third Coast forum. It seems a certain faction of Lake surfers take exception to spreading the love of surfing to the masses. Surfers like Terrence, Gleshna and their predecessors Superior and sledgehammer, believe that surfing should be some underground sport only enjoyed by those that are pure to the joy and mystery that lake surfing is. They see anyone who rides a different surf craft, or who is just beginning as somehow less of a 'surfer'. They are Anti-kite, Anti sail and Aggressive (the "A"s for identification in this post) in the defense of the 'purity' of their sport. They have spent years learning the secrets of the Lakes and the mythical places they break.
In contrast; the Third Coast, Theater, Teaching Tards (the "T"s for identification in this post) believe that the waves are there for everyone to enjoy. They blatantly bring teaming masses to the beach and baptize them in the "Blessed Church of the Open Sky".
The fact that there is a polarization of surfing is hardly new becomes apparent with a brief review of the history of Lake surfing. This sort of historical overview will also reveal a general delineation of surfing styles or attitudes into two opposite types: At one end of the scale is the classic laid back Hawaiian style of Duke Kahanamoku; at the other extreme, the full blast, ego generated, anti-social style of one Miklos Sandor Dora.
HISTORY
From it's very conception here on the Lakes, surfing has been tied to the commercialism of the sport. The first surfers were fueled by Gidget and Beach Blanket Bingo. Because the waves were few and far between the 'surfers life style' became "the thing". Surf clubs were formed and they would have contests even if there were no waves. Surfers wore Hawaiian shirts and sandals. They plastered their cars with surf stickers. If there were waves, GREAT, if not they were content to hang out at the beach. Because boards were in short supply they not only shared waves they shared boards. Surfing was about the "glide." There were pictures in newspapers and magazines. They rode any surf craft they could find: body surfing, Hobie-cats and even an old sunfish without the sail. They were stoked and quick to share that stoke. It was the 60's and the free love/ hippie generation fit right in with the Great Lakes surf scene.
The 60's led to the 70's and the 80's (the ME generation) and the influence of some cross-over sports; most notably skateboarding. It was cool to be an 'outlaw'; a rebel. Surfing was about slashing waves the same way they ripped on the half-pipe. Short boards required bigger waves, which lead to a need to understand the weather and explore new breaks. It was no longer enough to go "hang" at the beach. They were 'real' surfers, they surfed in the winter when the swells were bigger and more consistent. They drove nondescript vans and took jobs that allowed them to leave at a moments notice. They had no interest in promoting surfing to anyone and enjoyed this underground status. New surfers were met with at best ambivalence but more commonly disdain. A new surfer had to "prove" to the tribe how hard core they were (there are legends about "the gerbil test" but i have no personal knowledge of it :wink: ) There were no pictures because all the surfers were in the water and the media was threatened.
But the 80's and 90's also brought windsurfers. It's popularity was explosive, suddenly there were hundreds of them all over the beaches. The windsurfers had alot in common with the first "T" surfers. They would have contests in (almost) no wind and just hang at the beach if the wind died. They formed clubs, had contests, got media attention and were quick to welcome others. Thankfully, the first couple of generations of boards were hard to maneuver in the surf and couldn't be ridden in winds strong enough to produce good waves. Surfing remained for the most part underground, but a few surfers also embraced the sail, and a few sailors found that when the wind died, there was a whole new sport they learned to embrace. To the "A" surfers these dual sport watermen were "sell-outs".
Now we add Kite-Boarding (surfing?) and Stand-up Paddle Surfing (yes; surfing) into the mix and we see a simultaneous convergence of the two opposing styles. Kiters are aggressive and relish the 'outlaw' persona. They bash the waves and perform skateboard maneuvers on their short boards. SUPers in contrast are laid back, quick to give a lesson or even take someone for a ride. For them (once again) surfing is all about the glide.
Ironically it's the "hard-core" surfers that harbor the most animosity toward the kiters.
ATTITUDE DANCING
Given this historical overview, the pattern that emerges delineates surfing into two opposite styles or attitudes; one is inclusive and one exclusive. The T's welcome newcomers, they promote the sport, they embrace all types of water-craft. They teach lessons, sell boards make magazines and movies. The A's dislike newcomers and the crowds they represent, they keep spots secret. They resent the movies, the magazines and contests
There has always been and will always be this yin and yang in the Lake surfing world. While we all have moments in both spheres our hearts lie firmly in one camp. Both groups believe that they are "soul" surfers and can make compelling cases: One group looks to Duke Kahanamoku: who spent his life bringing surfing to the masses and spreading aloha, the other looks to Mickey Dora who spent his life searching for a few perfect [uncrowded] waves and showing disdain for surfing's commercialism.
Suppose your surfing a perfect overhead point break Lake wave (OK how about a nice waist high piece of windblown shorebreak :mrgreen: ) when a van full of people show up with Surf Tech longboards do you give them a shaka or the finger??????????
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