Surfing with Attitude

Written by Administrator

Because Playa Guiones faces southwest, it is positioned perfect to pick up almost any swell in the Pacific. There are waves almost every day, whether the conditions want to cooperate or not. That, and warm, tropical waters make it a sought after surf destination for both beginners and seasoned surfers from around the globe. Not too long ago, you could enjoy a solo surf session, but those days have now gone and Guiones is hardly a ‘secret spot’. The good thing is that the beach is very long and there are many peaks which spread out the crowds. The bad thing… with crowds often come tension in the water.

The ‘Pura Vida’ spirit holds strong in Nosara and was here long before any surfers pioneered these waves, but needs to be preserved for current and future surfers. I want my kids to someday have some of the great experiences I’ve been blessed with; however, like everything else on our planet, things need to be preserved. In recent years I’ve only witnessed a handful of fights in the water, most of which were comical if nothing else, but I have noticed that some surfers enter the water with an aggressive attitude and big mouths. I’ve even caught myself on occasion surfing angry and even occasionally barking at others. Why does this happen? For me it is usually people dropping in on me or maybe I’m having a bad day and not getting my share of waves. Either way, a bad attitude benefits nobody. So, before I get into the water I try and make sure that I’m going out to have fun. Just as if you enter a bar angry and aggressive, a scuffle is sure ensue. The same is true when you enter the water. You’ll have a much more enjoying surf session if you smile and greet the other surfers and just maybe they’ll think twice about snaking your waves. And if they do… blow it off. Of course there exists the other occasion, when you drop in on someone else (accidentally of course). If this happens best thing to do is get off the wave as soon as possible and apologize. I usually say “Sorry, the next wave is yours”.

These small gestures may not seem like much, but they can shape the ‘vibe’ of a surf spot. The alternative could be fist-a-cuffs on the beach. And you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ showing up to work or back home with a shiner. And for visiting surfers, please come to Nosara and enjoy yourselves, but come with an attitude of humility and respect. Let your surfing do the talking. Over the years I’ve seen plenty of guys storm into town ready to “Surf our waves, drink our beer and have their way with our women”. What those guys don’t realize is that another group just like them left, and another gets here tomorrow… Most folks come down with the hopes of seeing wildlife, meeting locals, relaxing and getting some surf too. Those are the people who get the most out of their vacation and are always welcome back. If you want to get respect, you must give respect.

My final rant has to do with beginners. Let’s face it. We almost all learn to surf the same way. It is not an easy sport and takes a lot of time to master. Playa Guiones has perfect waves for beginners as there are several gentle peaks. Because there are usually beginners in the water, they sometime get in the way of the more experienced surfers. They deserve a little slack because they are just learning, may not know surf etiquette and probably feel way out of their element. Perhaps explaining things to them would be more constructive than hollering at them. On the other hand, beginners should seek the advice of experienced surfers and learn the ‘rules of the road’. This will keep you out of trouble and more importantly safe. My biggest surf injury came from the fin of a beginner who panicked on a wave and launched their board at my head to the tune of 20+ stitches.

I hope we can preserve Playa Guiones to be what it has always been: a fun wave, on a beautiful beach being enjoyed by happy people. If you’re getting ready for a paddle out, make sure you have an attitude… a good attitude. Surfing is just a microcosm of life and should be treated as such. Good attitude = good surf session = good day = good life = Pura Vida.

Bram Shook
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