Can't we all just be friends?

There has been a long, drawn-out dispute between shortboard and longboard surfers. People are stereotyped and put into categories based on the surfboard they are riding. After all, despite the size of the board they’re riding, all surfers have something in common. Can’t they all just be friends?

Ever since someone pondered, “Hey! Why don’t we just cut our longboards in half and see what we can do with it?” That one revelation sparked the surfing culture to revolutionize surfboards to a whole new level.

In the late 60s boards became shorter and shorter and shortboarding rose to popularity. Longboards could be found in your local dumpster.

Furthermore, to some surfers that was an epic score, to others, they believe that is where they are meant to be.

People really want to know what board is under those surfers’ feet. Is it a 6-foot-1 Channel Islands or a 9-foot-6 Donald Takayama Classic Noserider? Well, why not both?

“Shortboarding and longboarding are totally different styles of surfing and they fit all sizes of waves. They are two separate sports in one, I wouldn’t consider them the same,” said Jack McGuinness, a fifth year engineering management masters at Cal Poly.

Get ready to dive deep into how surfers are perceived based on the size of their surfboard and what it is that surfers have in common. Shortboarders and longboarders are looked at differently in the lineup and why is that?

Due to stereotypes, “Shortboarders are perceived as more aggressive and give off an “I’m better than you vibe” I feel like they tend to be the gatekeepers of surfing where longboarders seem to be more laid back,” said Keir Hermsen, sophomore ag systems management major.

“Generally I feel like both stereotypes are incorrect and that it really comes down to the person, where they grew up surfing and who influenced them.”

When out in the lineup assumptions are often made when taking a look around. Humans constantly draw conclusions especially when it comes to surfing. Deciding if the surfer is a beginner, often called a kook, or an advanced surfer is constantly on their minds. A lot of this has to do with safety as well as contemplating where the best spot to sit out in the lineup is to catch the most waves.

Cal Poly competitive surf team rider, Hayden Werts, is from San Diego and he rides both longboard and shortboard surfboards.

“I’ve always felt like shortboarders and longboarders have had issues because of the way they’re forced to surf. For example, shortboarders perceive longboarders as the antagonist because they catch more waves than them,” said Werts, freshman construction management major.

“On the contrary, longboarders associate shortboarders with aggression, cookie-cutter mentality, and bad vibes. While none of these stereotypes are necessarily true, they are often proved correct in lineups across the world. Essentially, the board you ride definitely impacts how you are perceived by other surfers.”

Ultimately, the surfer with the best attitude, most aloha, and style is the overall best surfer. The truth is, the conditions of the surf are constantly changing. Not one board can satisfy every condition. Therefore, a surfer that can ride any shape or size of a surfboard is equipped for anything the ocean has to offer.

All surfers, despite the size of their board, are surfing for an often overlooked purpose. A lot of people say they “surf” because in pop culture it is seen as cool and sexy.

Meanwhile, the true reason people surf is because it’s relaxing and a way to connect themselves with nature and escape reality. Overall, surfing clears the mind and is all about expressing yourself through the art of riding a wave.

“Surfing is a form of natural healing medicine. I use it as a release through connecting with the ocean,” said Jada Griffith, sophomore journalism major.

“When I surf I experience a calming euphoria when on a wave or just sitting on my board. It has impacted my life through the connections that I have made with other surfers and has given me a new look at life.”

Surfing brings people together from all around the world due to the shared passion for riding waves and soaking up the sunshine. The ocean is called Vitamin Sea for a reason; it is healing just like Griffith said.

References

Jack McGuinness, fifth year, engineering management masters, Jackamcguinness@gmail.com

Keir Hermsen, sophomore, ag systems management major, Keirhermsen@icloud.com

Hayden Werts, freshman, construction management major, Wertshayden@gmail.com

Jada Griffith, sophomore, journalism major, Jgriff26@calpoly.edu