A very hard subject for some confusing at times for others,,also can be hurtful mentally at some stupid times out of control physically.
with the popularity of water sport world wide crowds are increasing to epic proportions in some places.
whats your thoughts on Localism.
have you seen it.
do locals have a point.
do you just tolerate it
do you just except it.
never seen it.
do you totally avoid places where known localism happens.
have you done it.."like, telling another craft to leave the area,"is that an example of localism"
in my view localism comes in many shapes.
some just want to protect spots from invading crowds so they will keep spots secretive and curse people for telling.
some spots come with ownership localism views..these being the more volatile environments I've seen.
this got me interested in what others thought.http://www.surfermag.com/features/crowd-control-2/
Hey Cobra
A vexed issue no doubt.
I'm of the opinion that it is difficult to own the ocean, in Australia anyway.
I look at localism with contempt.
We have a metro beach in Perth that has all the hallmarks of localism, but the funny thing is, I think it is pretty much a nothing wave. I don't surf it because of the agro and drop-ins. My surf time is important to me for mellowing out, so I find the least crowded bank and do my thing.
Having said that at some surf camps overseas, I am happy that there is ownership of the wave, as I'm paying good coin for relatively uncrowded waves.
When I travel to waves in my region, I always stay wide when I first paddle out, dont snake, and be patient. But I try and go well on the first wave I catch.
I've experienced mouthy localism, but usually from the younger and least capable surfer in the crowd......
Just my thoughts
OK I never surfed and hate the aggro i hear about (and have never seen since I started my kooky longboard try-harding)
But as windsurfer I can see the localism has some validity or at least one can see where it comes from - I do NOT agree with abuse and assaults and letting down tyres and all that shiz but
People spend a year or two of going to the 'new spot' every week or so, down 4WD tracks getting bogged, on different swell and winds to find an epic alone place. Later, they share with a few mates. Then the bitumen comes. Then the tourists, dumping sh!t all over the place. The in last few years, the online guys with farken google maps outing all the spots.
Some people need to think about how it feels to get the stoke dicovering a new place, maybe driving 2hrs there every weekend for a year and then all of a sudden every man and his dog knows it works on 18kn S with 2.1swell and 0.8m tide.
Then seriously how hard is it to say g'day when u arrive? Honestly, you see windsurf touro's who at best ask "what size sail and where is ze reef?" then drop in on you all day.
Others say hello, actually talk without wanting anything and wave u onto the first wave even if it was theirs.
The latter get rescued after the crash and a bit of ding stick, or lend of a boom, offer of a beer at the end of the session, or whatever. The former wonder why we are all so unfriendly.
Bit like online fora really.
Intro and get to know the peeps - or deliberately abrasive and attitude................. not a hard call. (For most)
You got it all wrong though markie, in the surfing world localism isnt just about saying hello and giving out beers. lol
Its the locals saying/thinking/enforcing that they can have which wave they want whether they have right of way or not. (Always thought you agreed with first on the wave??)
The waves are for everyone evenly. If someone thinks that they are more deserving of the waves more than any other person out enjoying them is a tosser.
Just because you may of found a spot first(probly thousands before lol) dosent mean you can take any wave you want. If you think thats right, please come to my local and see if you mind if I short tacking you any wave I want cause I support localism.
Share people, dont get into the , I have surfed here 4 years ,Im a local crap.
Select to expand quoteSo.
Having trouble finding material now???
Thought I spelled it out alright at the start 
lotofwind said..
You got it all wrong though markie, in the surfing world localism isnt just about saying hello and giving out beers. lol
Its the locals saying/thinking/enforcing that they can have which wave they want whether they have right of way or not. (Always thought you agreed with first on the wave??)
The waves are for everyone evenly. If someone thinks that they are more deserving of the waves more than any other person out enjoying them is a tosser.
Just because you may of found a spot first(probly thousands before lol) dosent mean you can take any wave you want. If you think thats right, please come to my local and see if you mind if I short take you any wave I want cause I support localism.
Share people, dont get into the , I have surfed here 4 years ,Im a local crap.
Mark _australia said..
OK I never surfed and hate the aggro i hear about (and have never seen since I started my kooky longboard try-harding)
I do NOT agree with abuse and assaults and letting down tyres and all that shiz but
But as windsurfer .....
lol
I look forward to your beers and you calling me onto waves, even if you have right of way, if you ever come over here. lol
And I expect the same from you of course.
lol
If you have surfed the wave before, or found it on google earth(sorry old schoolers lol) everyone has the same right to surf and obey the right of way rules, but still ok to bring beers lol
Localism ha...... what you are not local to some surf spot { obviously not in the water enough at your local] ...........get over it ,localism is not all bad , lighten up ............
Just cos i like a beer and me pubs just around the corner i aint always pisssssssssssed off.
only with you lofty, no waves for you 
ever
First out........ last in .......
..........me and a local
A local is a person who'll bring home some litter from "their " spot. On every visit. And call out litterers, and pricks in general.
There was this dude that spent three years travelling around Oz chasing surf.
Ironically, the worst bout of localism that he experienced was when he finally arrived back at his home beach ...
a break where he grew up surfing at.
lol.
).
Select to expand quoteBuster fin said..
A local is a person who'll bring home some litter from "their " spot. On every visit. And call out litterers, and pricks in general.
Amen finally
My only comment is that supermarket chick is a farkin good sort
BTW would you describe that dude in the supermarket as a 'Hipster'.
Just not sure what a 'Hipster' is.
Ted, you know I've got no chance of reading all that ^^^^^.
Select to expand quoteking of the point said..
Localism ha...... what you are not local to some surf spot { obviously not in the water enough at your local] ...........get over it ,localism is not all bad , lighten up ............
Just cos i like a beer and me pubs just around the corner i aint always pisssssssssssed off.
only with you lofty, no waves for you ever
First out........ last in .................me and a local
KOTP GOLD
Select to expand quotewhippingboy said..
Are we talking about real locals or the local surf nazis ?
i remember a punch on one night in the early 80's ,,it was the local surfers and the local surf life savers, about forty guys punching on over a beach
they both thought they were right.both sides had nice blokes in their clubs, some today are still embarrassed in taking part.
Select to expand quoteCobra said..whippingboy said..
Are we talking about real locals or the local surf nazis ?
i remember a punch on one night in the early 80's ,,it was the local surfers and the local surf life savers, about forty guys punching on over a beach
they both thought they were right.both sides had nice blokes in their clubs, some today are still embarrassed in taking part.
Try to forget the events of the night Cobra, it may help with your embarrasement issue
https://surfpeople.com.au/howto/localism-and-how-to-avoid-it/
Another interesting read
Select to expand quoteTed the Kiwi said..
I think the only place in the last 10 years where I have had any grief was at Caves when one of the old boys told me to paddle in before i even got out the back. I sat wide and kept out of his way and my head down as he paddled by. Over the next 30 mins he loosened off and within the hour was asking me questions and giving me set waves. So things can be turned around if you are pleasant.
That kind of illustrates the point though... they weren't old mate's set waves to "give" you (or withhold from you). If you want to paddle out there on a goatboat in a pink stripy wetsuit, provided that you observe surf general etiquette, that's your call and you're entitled to as many waves as the next guy.
A large part of the surfing experience for me is being out there and relaxing, enjoying the ocean, so I would rather surf a lesser quality uncrowded wave than spend all my time jostling for a perfect wave. I think the whole localism thing is a wank.
To my mind, the guys who are most xenophobic about "their" breaks are often the deadbeats who clock up a lot of hours at the break because they have piss all else to do. So a guy who works long hours, has mortgage, wife and kids etc., is never going to be as "local" as the deadbeat (cue Bra Boys).
This is bull ****.
All you ****ers need to **** off.
Unless you have at least 1,963 posts then you've got no right to come here, to our place, and discuss localism.
****ing tourists and kooks.
Slash their keyboards lads, slash 'em good.
Select to expand quoteGonebush said.....
A large part of the surfing experience for me is being out there and relaxing, enjoying the ocean, so I would rather surf a lesser quality uncrowded wave than spend all my time jostling for a perfect wave. I think the whole localism thing is a wank.
I totally agree.
As said earlier I never even bother if there are more than 10 people as a general rule. That day at Caves it had been pretty busy early - it was cranking. I surfed Cactus - a much lower quality wave but still good fun. I came in had breakfast and then sat around by the rocks waiting for the crowds at Caves to drop off. When it got down to 5 I made my way out there. It was just one bloke who was unpleasant. It is an absolute quality wave and one I had always wanted to have a crack at. That morning it was as good as anything I had in Indo in the last 20 years. Absolute perfection. It was uncrowded and there were plenty coming through. I was probably never going to get that opportunity to surf it again like that so had to take that opportunity. It was also one of the main reasons I was there anyway. In terms of why I was respectful and not wearing a pink stripped wettie and riding a goatboat was simply that that place is well known as being high up the localism chain - 5 vans had been burnt out recently. I wanted to avoid jostling for waves and enjoying the ocean. So I picked my time.
Was amply rewarded to - probably the second best surf of my life. It was that good. I would show ya pictures but I was too scared to take any
hi Ted, the only hassle I got @ raglan from some french les, who was snaking then calling me off.
I found the locals very friendly bunch of blokes.
Actually the locals were pretty cool at all the spots in NZ I have been to.
Three years ago, Caves, glassy but with a bit of a wobble. No one out. Got talking to a local for an hour, he gave me some inside knowledge on the paddle out and lineups. Really friendly generous guy. I went and surfed for 90 minutes or so. Good fun but nowhere near the perfection Ted describes. I went in and old mate was still there. Chatted for another halfa. As I left he said, "everyone will be here tomorrow. Don't bother saying hello because I won't talk to you." Next morning the whole bay was good fun so I didn't bother getting out with the 20+ guys on Caves but after my surf went up for a look. D mate was there and I said hi. True to his word I got the thousand yard stare and some harsh comments to my back as I walked away. Very high school. Brave with their mates and to your back. But I wasn't going to argue because two weeks earlier a local had sent two blokes in. They didn't go. Next morning they tried to surf and got the snot belted out of them by 9 guys and told they had until noon to leave camp or there was another hiding coming.
Personally another mates experience there sums it up for me. He was at Caves with one local who said, "You guys don't understand. All we have in our lives are our beer, bongs and barrels." If that's all you have, I guess it's not surprising you end up a violent, brain fried coward.
The etiquette of surfing is pretty simple and I try to follow it wherever I surf and I try to surf places where others do the same. Wait your turn, don't snake, don't drop in, get out of the way even if it means getting the set on the head.
