If a club decided to set up a surfing competition at your local on the only bank that was working on the first decent autumn swell, what legal jurisdiction do they have to kick you out of the water or area?

Was just driving past the local today and saw a massive competition on and while it was the surf rescue going at it, I don't mind that as who knows when you'd need to be rescued. But hypothetically say a little amateur surfing club decided to set up shop, especially over here in the metro west (where to be honest I have not seen much community based initiative of surf clubs to input into the community), what stops me from getting my fair share of waves? Heck even if they decided to hold a state competition or say move it to another spot that maybe I was already at or had set up shop?

Yeah mate! My instincts were correct when I decided to hit the gym instead but driving past I had that great hypothetical thought go through my head! Looks like the swells dropping really fast though so be interesting how it goes tomorow

sometimes it can be a blessing, especially when its a school comp and i approach them and invited to free surf, as long as I share. Meanwhile most carpark hoppers are easily put off with the popup judges tent and move on.

No wave is worth that much self ridicule.

local break shouldn't be cleared for a comp.
either move to an isolated location or surf the comp with the crew in the water.
true test surf'n in the pack.
Competitor only needs 2 waves why block the whole break.

Clubs need to get authority to run a comp at the beach from local municipal govt, but there's no Authority to police the line up.

You don't see people not in the comp paddling out during the Margaret river pro or the state titles so why drop in on your local club.

Damn frustrating if its the only bank around though, still it doesn't happen everyday.

I, like many locals down here, surf quite happily during comps at some of the local breaks.

Some friends of ours got warned and threatened by some Indian Ocean Longboarders at a surf comp in Geographe Bay a few years ago. After being dropped in on and snaked we started returning the favours. Did a few step offs onto boards, a few legrope grabs when people dropped in on us. Then they whinged we were ruining the comp. Well, there were two or three waves working on the whole coast that day and they were ruining my surf. Our care factor for comp surfing? Nil.

After a few more words they settled down and let us get what we wanted and we let them get what they wanted. We shared. How about that? They sat on the inside and got lots of waves, we sat out the back and waited for the sets.

I have also run surf comps and expect recreational surfers to be out there. Most surfers don't surf in comps. This privileging of the importance of comps irks me.

LateStarter said..
I rocked up to a beachie a while back where the best bank was roped off for a local boardriders comp.

Rather than be pushed down the beach to jostle the crowd of gumbys and kooks for the best closeouts, i paid 40 bucks and joined the local boardriders club. (i didnt have cash on me but they happily let me I.O.U)

I got to surf a couple of heats with only 3 other dudes in the water, as well as free-surf the best peak on the beach in between heats. I even got to meet some awesome dudes and share a few beers with them afterwards.

Gold!
if ya can't beat 'em join 'em LOL

love ya work way to go. Yeeww!

Surf69 said...

thedrip said..
I, like many locals down here, surf quite happily during comps at some of the local breaks.

Some friends of ours got warned and threatened by some Indian Ocean Longboarders at a surf comp in Geographe Bay a few years ago. After being dropped in on and snaked we started returning the favours. Did a few step offs onto boards, a few legrope grabs when people dropped in on us. Then they whinged we were ruining the comp. Well, there were two or three waves working on the whole coast that day and they were ruining my surf. Our care factor for comp surfing? Nil.

After a few more words they settled down and let us get what we wanted and we let them get what they wanted. We shared. How about that? They sat on the inside and got lots of waves, we sat out the back and waited for the sets.

I have also run surf comps and expect recreational surfers to be out there. Most surfers don't surf in comps. This privileging of the importance of comps irks me.

We are pretty lucky down here. Everyone respects our local boardriders comps,but it's a local club surfing local breaks.

We do have the City Beach Boardriders come down annually and they do their thing in amongst everyone else and never complain, always respectful of the local crowd and we of them generally.

We certainly don't get invaded like you guys though, and i couldn't think of anything worse than a Perthie club coming down and dictating terms, that would get the blood boiling and certainly result in non family entertainment.

It is a local club, but there are at least five local clubs and then a bunch of other clubs and contests occur. Takes Small Frys took over one of three places that had waves on a tiny day this year. My young fella missed out on a surf at a local beachie this year because of it. Very few surfers - as a ratio of total surfers - ever go in comps. Most people I know surf to relax, fitness and enjoy nature, not to be in a competitive arena. The 9 people all taking in turns at a local reef highlights the majorities attitudes.