This is the second part of the series about “localism” and how it is part of river surfing, though rarely…
Again a quiz. Are these events localism?
- There is a considerable line-up at the river wave. A new person to that river wave shows up to surf and just can’t figure out the wave and fails time and time again. The queue just cycles through not lending a hand of advice or even watching to see if the new person is safe while being continually flushed passed the eddys after each surf try.
- A local river surfer shows up at the wave and there is a significant line-up including new faces. The local surfer gets in the queue, says nothing to anyone, not even hello, takes a handful of rides, and just walks away.
- A visiting surfer shows up to surf with a sizable line-up and the visiting surfer is killing it, surfing between 30 seconds to a minute at most each ride, and is sharing turns with everyone. Nobody welcomes the visiting surfer. Nobody converses with the visiting surfer. And, nobody cheers on the visiting surfer when the visiting surfer gets some real nice rides. Basically the visiting surfer is invisible.
- A once thought to be crappy river wave for some reason suddenly becomes rather good to surf due to unknown factors such as: proper flow; adjustments made to the wave; back pool silting washed out; or whatever. A crew of river surfers somehow figure out the wave is really fun to surf but they all agree to not speak publicly about the wave being surfable.
Most of the time, localism in river surfing is rather rare, but unfortunately it does happen. And when it does appear in river surfing, the localism is hidden and it usually is subtle and involves things like: apathy microaggressions, or subterfuge.
To answer the quiz above, all are indicative of localism to a point;
The first scenario of the new person at a river wave getting no support, this is not only localism vibe, but it is dangerous to the new surfer who is not given any advice how to safely surf the wave.
The second scenario of the pissed off local surfer, this is not really localism but it sure stinks like it is.
The third scenario a visiting surfer killing it and surfing with proper etiquette but not getting any respects or love, is not outright localism but it is localism.
The fourth scenario of a wave hidden from others, is truly localism. Ironically, it also can be form of “traveling localism” where those who don’t even live near the wave somehow try hide the wave for themselves while trying to legitimize it by saying they don’t want to blow-up the “honey hole” surf spot used by the locals.
Of the forms of river surfing localism, “apathy” is the most worrisome. There is no requirement to be friendly, or social with others at the river wave. But common curtesy goes a long way with: a “hello“; a word of helpful suggestion; a word of acknowledgment of good rides/maneuvers; and most importantly, words of advise of how to safely surf the river wave…. Also, apathy goes both ways. Be cool when you show up to surf and check that “attitude” of yours before river surfing with others or just don’t show up, because that “attitude” is a drag for all.
Microaggression refers to commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized groups. There is no place for such microagressions in river surfing even if it is directed toward outsider surfers. Keep the aggression to your surfing the wave because that is a rad version of aggression.
Subterfuge might not seem to be localism but it is. Basically it is lying directly or lying by omission to hide a wave that: is 99% of the time were built with public funds (state and local); is a public good; and is part of the river that nobody owns. Not saying anyone must go out of their way to advertise a wave; but come-on, share the stoke instead of bogarting it. Remember what goes around, comes around including sharing wave info…. Also, except for some very rate instances of unknown natural waves found or waves that require crossing private lands to get to, there is not right to claim a public asset river wave as our “own private Idaho”.
River surfing is super cool and most of the time real inviting and helpful to each other. Rarely do you see negative localism at any river wave and truly there is no need for any localism at municipal built river waves.
Part 3 of TRUTH ABOUT “LOCALISM” will explore how to keep river surfing cool and fun!
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 