Like two holes in golf, no two waves are the same. You have your 80 yard par three's, your 500 yard par five's, and quite a bit in between. To be a well rounded surfer one capable of dealing with anything the ocean delivers, you need a wide range of vehicles. Thus, the quiver was born.
Today's surfing jet-set are expected to perform in all conditions. And whereas in the past you'd ride your trusty Old Stick down at your local break and one the once a year Surf trip to your own individual surfing Mecca, subtle advancements in surfboard technology have given us many options. Combinations of various lengths, templates, rockers, and bottom contours create boards suited to varying types of surf. With all the choices on the market, you rarely find a surfer these days with only one stick.
By reproducing various ancient Hawaiian olo boards in the 1920 >>
>> By reproducing various ancient Hawaiian olo boards in the 1920s, Tom Blake became the first modern surfer to establish a quiver. In the '30s, Hot Curl developers John Kelly, Wally Froiseth and Fran Heath took a quantum leap from those replicas by hacking off the sides of their square-tailed planks to create a board suited specifically for larger surf.
No surfer was more influential in the development of the modern quiver than Froiseth's nephew, George Downing. During the 1940s and '50s, Downing's travels and extensive study of surfboard dynamics resulted in concepts no surfer could do without. Combined with an ever-shrinking globe thanks to air travel and the relative ease of board construction with polyurethane foam, quivers became a way of life for any traveling surfer.
Nowadays, the term "surfboard" can apply to any number of vessels: Shortboards, Longboards, Funboards or Towboards. In the category of shortboards alone, serious professional surfers carry as many as a dozen boards at a time, not to mention the other thirty at home in their garage. Of course, not everyone gets their boards for free, and we can't all afford an endless quiver. In that case, let's hope your stick is a good all-rounder if not then drop me a line and we can discuss your needs.
Surfing Etiquette:
Right of way:
1. Furthest out- the surfer furthest out or waiting the longest has right of way.
2. Furthest inside -the surfer closest to the peak has right of way.
3. The surfer first to their feet in these two instances has right of way.
4. Most important NEVER Drop in on or Snake a fellow surfer.
Safety and respect:
• If in trouble in the water never throw your board unless you are certain that there are no other surfers behind you.
• Respect the environment that you are in and those around you.
• Respect is only given when received (especially if you are not at your local spot this even works down Aberavon).
Not a lot to remember really stick to these several points and you will enjoy your next Surf.
Beach Safety:
For the public:
Millions of people enjoy spending time at beaches around the UK every year. Being aware of the dangers at the beach and spotting the hazards will ensure that your visit to the beach is a happy event and does not turn into a tragedy. When visiting the beach, especially if you have children with you, consider the following:-
Spot the dangers
Do a check of the beach when you arrive. Notice whether there are lifeguards available, whether the tide is in or out, are there rocks, piers, groynes or breakwaters that may affect paddling and bathing. Is the beach busy? Are there watersports taking place, are these in zoned areas? What are the sea conditions like, does the beach shelve steeply?
Take safety advice
Try and choose a beach that offers a lifeguard service and swim where the patrol operates, within the area of red/yellow flags. Look for safety information which may include warning signs and know what the flags mean:-
Red and Yellow – Lifeguards on patrol. Two flags at the waters edge denote where the patrolled bathing area is.
Red – Dangerous to bathe or swim and you should not go into the water.
Quartered black and white flag - shows that an area is zoned off for watersport activities, swimmers and bathers should avoid this area, it is not safe for them.
Go together
Children should always go with an adult, not by themselves. Don’t swim alone. Make sure that you know where everyone in your group is. Constant supervision is the only real means of ensuring your child’s safety.
Learn how to help
Know what to do if you see someone in difficulty in the water. Shout for help and tell a lifeguard if there is one. Go to the nearest phone and call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Do not enter the water to rescue anyone.
The Forum recommends that you swim at a beach supervised by lifeguards, look out for the lifeguard station and information when you arrive at the beach and check to see if a patrolled swimming area is in place. When swimming at a beach with a lifeguard service follow the FLAGS code:-
F - ind the red and yellow flags and swim between them L - ook at the safety signs A - sk a lifeguard for advice G - et a friend to swim with you S - tick your hand up and shout for help if in difficulty
For more information and resources about beach safety go to www.beachsafety.org.uk