California Style

Eric Carson · Post by **Eric Carson** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:34 pm

Is there a definable California style? If so, have fins back board designs and the need for wetsuits all year long created a distinct kneeboard riding style that is unique to the US west coast?
I have pondered this question for some time and I respectfully submit it to the forum.

KEL · Post by **KEL** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:34 pm

Hey Eric..........I will be the first with my humble opinion to answer your question...I would say NO. I was hoping to get out of my wetsuit this past weekend surfing in southern cal, but the wind swell hopped up and cooled the water down a bit....maybe fathers day!!!! Then I was having a conversation with my friend KenM about visiting him up north and he was talking about a 5mil, hoodie, gloves etc

I have never worn anything thicker than a 3/2 and look forward to atleast 2 months of trunking it...As far as fins back, at the oceanside contest "07", I saw more boards from more shapers than I have ever seen, mostly all from riders living on the west coast.(I must be pretty sheltered)!!! As far as style, some people like to do the old skate park carve and some like the deep end, off the coping...small air...vertical off the lip stuff....or the good ol blackies scare the s*&^ out of you...all peaks breaking....wave

......so again, I think....what was your question again!!!!!!!!!!!!

KEL

KEL · Post by **KEL** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:35 pm

Sorry correction please......I said blackies but meant BLACKS.....sorryKEL

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:15 pm

Kel, I knew you meant Blacks. Cuz I've surfed at Blackies plenty of times and,well, I'm scared to even hike down the trail at Blacks.

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:23 pm

Eric, I think it was Bruce Hart that said that there is more diversity of style among kneeboarders than any other group of wave riders. Thinking of the ones I see and surf with up here and trips south, I would say it's as true in California as anywhere else. Dang I wish Trowt was around to comment on this one.
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edited for trowt

maxb · Post by **maxb** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:04 pm

you know ,with kb'ing it's not not about west coast ,east coast ,australian ,it's all about individuality, that's why we are not all riding
merricks and standing up, isn't it?

wolruss · Post by **wolruss** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:04 pm

Maxb,
very true......the true identification of a kneeboarder is the smile on his/or her face when they come in from a session.

Cheers Wolruss

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:21 pm

Eric, would you say there is a "definable East Coast style"?

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:39 pm

Surfing is many things ..like everything else. Please keep me out of the box with labels..

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:46 pm

W.G., we'll put you in the box marked "unlabeled".

DYdamo · Post by **DYdamo** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:58 pm

I definately agree with you captain,same goes down here.....

but I also agree with Max and W.G.....

toofast3 · Post by **toofast3** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:53 pm

I don`t think there east/west/aussie/etc style... I think its more of "your personal" style. I know for me, if I surfed somewhere else, I would surf the same way I surf now. Other wise, I would be someone else.

Bumps · Post by **Bumps** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:54 pm

Who cares, being out there and having fun is the package.

What's that old KneeloBong saying,"Only a kneeboarder knows the feeling"!

ScottMac · Post by **ScottMac** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:22 pm

southpeakbrad · Post by **southpeakbrad** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:10 pm

Eric, I'd say no.
But when most boards had alot of fin near the tail you had surf off the tail...but that was probably true on the East Coast as well. Now, there's a great variety of boards to ride and maybe styles have changed a bit as well.

Ken, forget the trail and take the road down with me