KNEEBOARDING ???...???

Shaunsy · Post by **Shaunsy** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:45 pm

There are a multitude of reasons that kneeboarding in big surf is not oft discussed in this forum.
1. It doesn't get big very often
2. Big wave surfing necessitates more equipment, preparation, time etc etc
3. It is difficult to ride big surf on kneeboards - because of our arch-enemy chop - means conditions need to be spot on.
4. Riding big surf is scary and even more so because of (1)

Notwithstanding all this, yours truly would love to see footage of Kneeing in the big stuff - and feel it is an arena that needs more exploration.

ross · Post by **ross** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:18 am

thanks for clearing that up shaunsy

i had a mate who would have included on that list
"i stood on a stick."
"my mum won't let me go out the back."
your either into it or your not.

one thing i would like to chat about is the Hawaii thing.

one day i would really love to go and test my self and experience a North Shore winter. But every time i raise the cash that might afford me a stint, i just start to think of all the other places i could go, that also have solid surf and alot less people.Afterall if your gonna spend the coin you want to get your moneys worth

and if we are going to draw comparisons between the guy testing himself "in the greatest arena in surfing", and the guy having a go at some slab at the bottom of a cliff face in the southern ocean, i dont think you can split em. Both are equally hardcore. i guess, one has got no chance of being "outed" as a bigwave charger and the other is in serious danger of getting punched.

I don't think it would be accurate to say that if performance big wave kneeboardriding isn't happening in Hawaii ,its not happening.I know that the north shore is an amazing/humbling place to surf and i'll definately bog my pants if i ever go. I just feel that some of you northshore regulars wonder why us younger guys don't rush over to the islands to "prove ourselves".(and if your doing it to prove something,your already barking up the wrong tree

)

I agree about wishing to see a world title held in large reefbreak surf.But last year, i'd lay down money that the same bloke would have won it.(no i'm not greasing his wheels.just a legitimate call).

An accomplished big wave surfer and elite competitor?Who'da thunk it

Seems like it goes hand in hand to me cause he isn't the only one

not as rare as some think.

Reality is that good surfers gather at contests, surfing with good surfers lifts your own ability.so that can't be a bad thing.The open final at an event is always excitng,i'm sure i wasn't the only one who felt the atmosphere in the final at Santa Cruz this year.Imagine the standard of surfing was high enough, that the quaters and semis could produce the same tension? Thats what i'd love to see.
The politics and hoohar that always seem to surface around contests is always without exception perpatrated by self important people who can't surf.

And yes surfing huge outer reef waves on kneeboards would also lift the standard/respect/profile of kneeboarding to.But only if people get to see it.
Bloody exposure

sometimes hard to live with....
but kneeboarding won't survive without it..

Smokin Rock · Post by **Smokin Rock** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:42 am

hey Ross,
gotta agree on the slab at the bottom of a cliff thing......very heavy for sure. i think you'd be surprised at how many spots are on the 7 mile miracle. when the circus leaves and late Jan-Feb rolls around there are plenty of waves to be had and the crowds not bad at all. Pipe and Sunset will almost always be packed but there are so many other places to surf! get some kona winds into the equation and whole other coastlines open up. if you're willing to rough it a bit the cost can be kept really low.
where i stay it's $8 a nite for a campsite with hot showers.
the power of the north shore is something everyone should experience.
amazing waves to be had that are only equal to some of the beatings you will take.
it's Mecca....and until you go you won't really see why
let me know if you're ever gonna make it. i'd be stoked to share a rental car and campsite with ya and if you ever make it to the Big Isle you know you have a place to stay

Hawaii is "no ka oi" brah!

ross · Post by **ross** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:22 am

Ta Mike,
you know i'm gonna take you up on that soon enough.

The slabs i'm talking about are in the south west and southern coast of Tassie. The slabs up on the east coast aren't exposed to raw large period ocean swell, they don't get nearly as big,nearly as often.
Lemon next to the pie you might say

check the current cover of Tracks at tracksmag.com for a good example of whats available.one of the local lads from up my way going a tad psyco.
and he's is no glory hunter, family man, fireman and unsponsored.

Kauaikneelo · Post by **Kauaikneelo** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:47 am

You will see world class levels of surfing here on every swell, every day. It is true here and I'm sure true in OZ, that some of the worlds BEST wave riders are never in a contest or a photo for that matter. They ride for the pure pleasure.

Smokin Rock · Post by **Smokin Rock** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:33 pm

hey Ross,
theres lots and lots of guys who chucked it all and moved to the Islands to surf these waves. most could care less about any media attention.
put them with the real Hawaiians (a lot of whom are fearless, insane surfers) and the level of surfing is pretty up there.

so does your friend paddle into those beasts down in Tassie?
anyone who rides that sh&t (paddle or no) is seriously hardcore in my book

when are you going to blow up that avatar so everyone can get a good look?......... at your ass

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KNEEBOARDING ???...???

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