Stand ups & Boogies = Macarena?
Rick Ciaccio
Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of
the present state of surfing from a long time Wedge rider who bodysurfed Wedge
20 years ago-- a guy that has a ph.d. and has influenced many present
bodysurfers...
-----------------------------------------------
<message snipped>
another example of why the possibility/probability of new blood is going to
continue to be low can be drawn from a recent sociocultural analog.
note the Macarena:
an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did and even
more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
- the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
riding - bodysurfing.
greg
---------------------------------------------------
Flames gladly accepted <g>.
Rick Ciaccio
------------------------------------------
Wedge Preservation Society - www.wedge.org
Mesa Internet Servers - www.mesagroup.com
Foondoggy
Rick Ciaccio wrote:
> Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of
> the present state of surfing from a long time Wedge rider who bodysurfed Wedge
> 20 years ago-- a guy that has a ph.d. and has influenced many present
> bodysurfers...
>
>
> another example of why the possibility/probability of new blood is going to
> continue to be low can be drawn from a recent sociocultural analog.
>
> note the Macarena:
>
> an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
> no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
> physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did and even
> more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
> available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
> others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
> rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
> trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
> - the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
> learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
> riding - bodysurfing.
>
> greg
>
for the masses to participate. Recently I had the wholely unenviable
experience of seeing 110 senior citizen Elk's Club members try to
perform the Macarena. None did it too well and as you might guess, most
of them shouldn't have even tried but nearly all of them were having
fun. Later, the same group of oldsters were treated to some Big Band
music of the 40s (real dance music) To watch those old bones swing into
action was like witnessing the the fountain of youth. They were poetry
in motion and the difficulty level of swing dancing is lightyears beyond
the Macarena.
I personally was standing behind the door when God handed out physical
coordination. I couldn't do the Macarena with the help of a dance
teacher or a tape if I tried. Yet, as a drummer, I can play four
different beats with my hands and feet all in syncopation, or not. Go
figure. Coordinationwise that is ten times harder than the Macarena.
Likewise, though I stand up surfed for many years, and never really felt
coordinated enough to do it well, I really feel at home bodyboarding.
The point I think is, people tend to participate in those things they
enjoy the most and can physically do well. I'm sure the Macarena will
wilt and die and I don't think future generations will jump up and do it
in 50 years when they hear the music, like the oldster do when they
heard their music.
Bodysurfing by definition, is one of the toughest forms of surfing. I've
done it and came the closest I've ever come to drowning while doing it.
It gives me a certain sense of security to be leashed to a board when I
ride. Not that I can't be snuffed, but at least Mrs.Foon will get to
dress up my remains in that skyblue leisure suit for my memorial
service.
Plain and simple, bodysurfing is the ballroom dancing of surfing. Done
poorly, by those unskilled in its beauty, it can be an ugly thing. I say
let those with the skill and desire to learn that dance go for it, and
let the rest of us Macarena (bodyboard) if we want to. What's the harm,
we can still have a ball.
-Foondoggy (Rhythmically disadvantaged and banned from dancing in public
by Mrs.Foon)
Bonzer
Rick Ciaccio <ri...@mesagroup.com> wrote in article
<581m7n$5...@argentina.earthlink.net>...
**** (edited for gross content) ****
> trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up
surfers
> - the macarenas of wave riding -
Whoa, wait just a darn minute here Rick. How can you post a sacrelige such
as this in so staid a news group as alt.surfing? I'm am ashamed. For you,
for your buddy, for surfers and dancers everywhere.
Stand up surfing is the macarena of wave riding? Come on, it was way
easier to learn to surf than to macarena. In fact it's easier to surf than
too learn any dance. Just ask my wife. She won't dance with me unless
she's wearing steel toed boots. Incidently, she looks pretty good in them.
If he said stand up surfing was the equivelant of the hokey pokey, now
that I could buy into.
--
Bonzer -
-----the best surfer is putting his right foot in, put his right foot out
. .
"that's what it's all about"
BTW if you want to see a video depicting the ruthless world of dancing and
see how difficult it really is, check out "Strictly Ballroom". Makes the
politics in surfing look like childs play.You'll come away with a
different view Rick. Ahahahahahaha!
Timothy B. Maddux
I remember this being discussed a few years ago
w.r.t. how easy it is to surf v.s. how easy it
is to bodysurf. My position then and now is that
it's very easy to bodysurf. People do it on
beaches all around the world.
It's difficult to bodysurf well or to look like
anything other than a floundering tourist or to
truly charge the wedge. It's also difficult to
get backside barrels at Pipe.
Who cares, really, in the end, which is 'easier'.
Do whatever you feel like doing. I've bodysurfed
Rincon a couple of times and had a blast. I'd still
rather surf it on my 6'6".
--
.-``'. Timothy B. Maddux, Ocean Engineering Lab, UCSB
.` .`~ http://www.engineering.ucsb.edu/~tbmaddux/
_.-' '._ "From the essence of pure stoke springs all creation."
Steele lab
In article <581m7n$5...@argentina.earthlink.net>, ri...@mesagroup.com (Rick
Ciaccio) wrote:
> Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of
> the present state of surfing from a long time Wedge rider who bodysurfed Wedge
> 20 years ago-- a guy that has a ph.d. and has influenced many present
> bodysurfers...
>
> -----------------------------------------------
>
> <message snipped>
>
> another example of why the possibility/probability of new blood is going to
> continue to be low can be drawn from a recent sociocultural analog.
>
> note the Macarena:
>
> an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
> no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
> physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did
and even
> more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
> available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
> others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
> rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
> trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
> - the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
> learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
> riding - bodysurfing.
>
> greg
I have learned to Macarena while I standup-surf, thereby combining two of
the finest artforms.
Rick forward this from X-betta;
Hey greg, kinda like dancing the brick house...shes mighty, mighty just
lettin it all hang out.
BTW I'm not impressed with the pHD, just about anybody can get one of
those, even Jeff.
Forever yours, Dr. DDS pHD OBGYN FYI TGIF Jack (Reid...@uci.edu)
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Rob DiStefano
Rick Ciaccio wrote:
>
> Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of
> the present state of surfing from a long time Wedge rider who bodysurfed Wedge
> 20 years ago-- a guy that has a ph.d. and has influenced many present
> bodysurfers...
>
> -----------------------------------------------
>
> <message snipped>
>
> another example of why the possibility/probability of new blood is going to
> continue to be low can be drawn from a recent sociocultural analog.
>
> note the Macarena:
>
> an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
> no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
> physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did and even
> more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
> available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
> others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
> rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
> trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
> - the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
> learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
> riding - bodysurfing.
>
> greg
>
>
> Flames gladly accepted <g>.
>
> Rick Ciaccio
> ------------------------------------------
> Wedge Preservation Society - www.wedge.org
> Mesa Internet Servers - www.mesagroup.com
No flaming required when the truth bespoken! Nah, Rick, to each their
own (point of view, or whatever). We are a pack society, somewhat akin
to lemmings in too many ways. Pity to be a teeny-bopper and have to
endure all that stupid peer pressure (striving to be uniquely alike
[!?]). Then again, I know of too many way-older-than-teens who are
still doin' things they're clueless as to why they're doin' what they're
doin' - know what I mean?
Rob.
still kneelin' on the ceilin'
wiley1
Rick Ciaccio wrote:
>
> Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of ...................
May I add:
The macadamia is not only a dance craze but state nut of Hawaii. So
there you have it - big waves, swaying hips and nuts.
Rob DiStefano
>
> Rick Ciaccio wrote:
> > Below is a snippet from an interesting e-mail I received with a perspective of
> > 20 years ago-- a guy that has a ph.d. and has influenced many present
> > bodysurfers...
> >
> >
> > another example of why the possibility/probability of new blood is going to
> > continue to be low can be drawn from a recent sociocultural analog.
> >
> > note the Macarena:
> >
> > an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
> > no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
> > physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did and even
> > more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
> > available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
> > others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
> > rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
> > trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
> > - the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
> > learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
> > riding - bodysurfing.
> >
> > greg
> >
Foon's retort...
> In its entirety, I cannot dispute greg's premise, but there must be room
> for the masses to participate.
<snipped here>
> Plain and simple, bodysurfing is the ballroom dancing of surfing. Done
> poorly, by those unskilled in its beauty, it can be an ugly thing. I say
> let those with the skill and desire to learn that dance go for it, and
> let the rest of us Macarena (bodyboard) if we want to. What's the harm,
> we can still have a ball.
>
> -Foondoggy (Rhythmically disadvantaged and banned from dancing in public
> by Mrs.Foon)
Foon, IMHO I think you, too, are correct. I'm in awe of a *good*
bodysufer on a *good* wave that showcase's a pure talent. Those
bodysurfers (and standups and kneelos and bodyboarders) who surf the way
I dance (3 legged potato racers look better'n moi) MAY appear to be part
of the "Macarena Society", but are they ALL? I don't think in your
heart YOU think you are. I know I'm not. There may lurk the
difference, eh?
Rob.
the Sandman
Foondoggy wrote:
>
> Rick Ciaccio wrote:
> > note the Macarena:
> >
> > an absolutely idiot craze that raced across the nation. it required no skill,
> > no background, no abililty - in fact a 4 year old child accomplishes more both
> > physically and neurologically playing hopscotch than what millions did and even
> > more followed doing the macarena. even a video on how to do the macarena is
> > available. despite its worthlessness millions will do the macarena because
> > others do it. agreement by unanimous consent - not logic or truth once again
> > rules our society. this is why bodysurfing is dying - too many people are busy
> > trying to emulate the numerically dominant boogie boarders or stand up surfers
> > - the macarenas of wave riding - than to make the more difficult effort to
> > learn to swim and engage in the most beautiful art form in the realm of wave
> > riding - bodysurfing.
> In its entirety, I cannot dispute greg's premise, but there must be room
> for the masses to participate. Recently I had the wholely unenviable
> experience of seeing 110 senior citizen Elk's Club members try to
> perform the Macarena. None did it too well and as you might guess, most
> of them shouldn't have even tried but nearly all of them were having
> fun. Later, the same group of oldsters were treated to some Big Band
> music of the 40s (real dance music) To watch those old bones swing into
> action was like witnessing the the fountain of youth. They were poetry
> in motion and the difficulty level of swing dancing is lightyears beyond
> the Macarena.
>
Sheep World propaganda spewed by notable Sheep World Philosophers
Neal Miyake
Rick,
I longboard (poser). I shortboard (sort of). I bodyboard (decent). I
bodysurf (on occasion).
I can't Macarena for s#!t. But I can disco down!
Does anyone care? Don't know. I just dance (on land and sea), try not
to look too stupid, and have fun.
sponge
ps Got the pics. Will digitize later. Beuno.
Doug Frick
>Rick,
>
>I longboard (poser). I shortboard (sort of). I bodyboard (decent). I
>bodysurf (on occasion).
>
>I can't Macarena for s#!t. But I can disco down!
>
>Does anyone care? Don't know. I just dance (on land and sea), try not
>to look too stupid, and have fun.
>
>sponge
At the Rell Sunn Menehune competition at Makaha Beach last weekend,
one of the "6&under Longboard" kids was doing the Macarena while
riding an inside wave...
--
Doug Frick
dfr...@hcc.hawaii.edu
dfr...@lava.net
Andrew Rothwell
>Rick,
>I longboard (poser). I shortboard (sort of). I bodyboard (decent). I
>bodysurf (on occasion).
>I can't Macarena for s#!t. But I can disco down!
>Does anyone care? Don't know. I just dance (on land and sea), try not
^^^^^^^
>to look too stupid, and have fun.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What do you care what other people think?
Most of the time "trying not to look stupid" and "having fun"
cannot be experienced simultaneously; until you realize how
stupid that is, and laugh maniacally at yourself. :-).
Which basically explains the macarena, surfing and any other
life experience, especially sex! Gawd.
Andrew.
--
_______________________________________________________________________________
"Wish I knew what you were looking for. Andrew R. Rothwell.
Might have known what you would find." arot...@cisco.com
Cisco Systems, Inc.
The Church. Lvl 13, 118 Alfred St,
Milsons Point. NSW. 2061.
AUSTRALIA.
Rob DiStefano
Doug Frick wrote:
>
> In article <585e9j$4...@rigel.pixi.com>, spo...@ohana.com (Neal Miyake) wrote:
>
> >
> >I longboard (poser). I shortboard (sort of). I bodyboard (decent). I
> >bodysurf (on occasion).
> >
> >I can't Macarena for s#!t. But I can disco down!
> >
> >Does anyone care? Don't know. I just dance (on land and sea), try not
> >
>
> At the Rell Sunn Menehune competition at Makaha Beach last weekend,
> one of the "6&under Longboard" kids was doing the Macarena while
> riding an inside wave...
Most likely having fun, too.
Rob DiStefano
>
> >I longboard (poser). I shortboard (sort of). I bodyboard (decent). I
> >bodysurf (on occasion).
>
> >I can't Macarena for s#!t. But I can disco down!
>
> >Does anyone care? Don't know. I just dance (on land and sea), try not
> >to look too stupid, and have fun.
>
> What do you care what other people think?
>
> Most of the time "trying not to look stupid" and "having fun"
> cannot be experienced simultaneously; until you realize how
> stupid that is, and laugh maniacally at yourself. :-).
>
> Which basically explains the macarena, surfing and any other
> life experience, especially sex! Gawd.
>
> Andrew.
Right on, Andrew. If it ain't fun, shut up and don't do it.
Rob.