After several decades of enduring off of its own sheer will to survive, Surfing Etiquette sadly breathed its last gasp in the summer of 2013, at an undisclosed location somewhere in Southern California.
It is survived and grieved by each and every remaining peace-loving core surfer throughout the world. The cause of death has been confirmed as being from neglect and disrespect, diseases that it had struggled fiercely against since the mid-1990’s.
Known for its strong idealism, Surfing Etiquette was an early advocate for a no-nonsense, nonviolent philosophy that brought at least some semblance of order to surfing line ups the world over, dating back to the surfing boom of the early 1960’s. During its heyday, Surfing Etiquette was a strong handed protagonist for an ideal that guaranteed increased wave counts and the best possible safety measures. Those with Surfing Etiquette at the moment of its passing stated that it finished well, lamenting that in its last exhausted, delirium-filled moments, it could be heard firmly but kindly speaking in a patient tone, seemingly to yet another decorum challenged surfer, “Hey bro, can I explain to you what you did wrong, and why it’s wrong?”
Upon hearing of Surfing Etiquette’s passing, corporate water cooler surfers the world over could be overheard emphatically stating, “Surfing Etiquette? What in the world is that?” Then they continued extolling the glory of their weekend surf experiences, and tried unsuccessfully (yet again) to figure out why those elitist jerk surfing brothers complain about their being in the way, and commenting on how they are way too dangerous to be in the water.
A memorial paddle out will be held next week. Please feel free to join us in remembering this great icon of surfing.
