Breaking Points

I think there needs to be more local regulation everywhere... There are just way too many people trying to surf lately, and its dangerous out there when people don't know what they're doing...Kooks are like rats, give them a little piece of the pie and they'll bring all their friends to grind it, but if you kill one they'll all stay away, at least for a little bit.... Regulate your local spot boys! and girls... just don't kill anyone...

A nice film came out in 2001 called Swell Life. http://www.sundancechannel.com/films/500022386
Only 23 minutes long, it focused on a couple of SoCal spots notorious for localism, like Silver Strand. I agree with Liz and the kooks are like rats sentiment. Skating pools gets more crowded with groms all the time. The world is just too crowded, so we have to deal.
However, they (groms/kooks) need to earn their place and should not get away with snaking a regular. Ever. Just don't kill them.

Yeah its simple, if you dont know the waves stay out of the water and observe from afar. While I am from the Bay I dont surf all too much thus when i go to santa cruz and watch from the cliffs. But same thing happens with skating, i definitely have never come to blows with some out of towner for dropping in on me but I also remember when I first started skating 13 years ago you dont really know the unwritten laws. Many times someone will just let the person know that thats not cool or safe so keep a heads up next time. Great piece though i know all those spots and Loved it.

Not a surfer, but nice job on the pod!! Of course, don't come filming across the bay in Monterey, unless you want to start something.

I grew up a Local in Port Hueneme Beach and I have to agree that there are too many unwanted novices out in the water that give us a bad name. Locals only!

Really great pod! It's common to see pods lacking conflict, but the great thing about this video is that it stems from conflict. Even for someone with very little knowledge about or connection to the surfing scene, this video is effective because it brings us into the characters' world and presents the problem in universal terms. There's some really beautiful photography in here too. How about a follow-up pod?

I guess I just don't understand the point to have a rivalry over waves. But I understand the whole territorial fight as well so I dunno. This pod really surprised me but it also enlightened me.

Is it bad that i think that this is kind of funny? Eastside vs Westside..."Surfer Gangsta!" The surfing i know is mellow and promotes peace. The more the merrier and if someone doesn't know how to surf, they get some pointers, not thrown off of thier board or jumped! What a horrible stigma for the city of Santa Cruz. What a disgrace for the rest of us.

I grew up surfing Huntington beach where this same sort of Neanderthal mentality prevailed.
I cant remember who said it, maybe Robert August or Corky Carrol- but the quintessential quote of the day was-
" a local is nothing more than a dirtbag who cant get it together enough to travel"