Surfboard Wankers

[SquirtleSquad]

We live very close to the coast. This past week it's been so busy. The car park is closed and coned off and people just move the cones to drive in and out.

Earlier this evening a pair of surfers got into trouble and for the second time since lockdown, our local RNLI lifeboat station has been called out to rescue people taking part in watersports that have got into trouble or had accidents.

I know there have been 1000 of these threads and for that I apologise but for the love of Christ I just can't understand the mentality of some people. Why do some people think they are above the guidelines? How many of you would think it sensible to head down to the beach for a surf / windsurf / paddle board at the moment?

There's a right kerfuffle on our local community Facebook about it all half saying they should be made to pay and fined, others saying that by that logic if someone falls and breaks their leg on their daily walk they should have to foot the bill for any NHS treatment and that watersports are an essential form of daily exercise to some people

I don't really have a question I just feel fed up.

I don't agree that the surfing OP described was outrageous. I don't agree that potentially dangerous sports are that much more outrageous now than they ever were.

If it's outrageous now to expect the NHS to foot the bill, then it's always outrageous.

If it's outrageous to encourage the less proficient to do these sports now, then it's always outrageous.

If it's outrageous to necessitate all that effort to launch & clean & maintain the equipment now, then it's always outrageous. You don't need c19 to declare outrageous.

I guess it's nice that (?some) doctors & rescue teams enjoy doing those experiences. OP makes it sound like an enormous hazardous unpleasant faff.

In normal times volunteers ( many at least in mountain rescue are medics , and they also rely on the army) are happy to support their community
Now those volunteers are not happy ( and may be too busy ) to support people

In normal times, hospitals are happy to patch up people who have had an accident
Now they would rather people took a little more care to avoid any accident

Adventure sports are a life choice, same as smoking, being overweight or driving. Sports tend to be associated with fewer health problems compared to the other 3 life choices. so provision of support to people who participate is something we as a society do, same as we treat type 2 diabetes

In normal times it's not unreasonable to participate and now it is

Howd they even get into trouble..its been 1ft for weeks. We've only had a rescue of walkers getting trapped by incoming tide here (newquay) been sensible surfing going on from what I can see

@ragged you could say all those things about smoking and drinking. Should the NHS not treat these patients as their illnesses are self inflicted?

@Wifeofbikerviking I agree. It’s all relative. Going for a walk through a field is gnarly for some, so they shouldn’t be doing that right now. Surfing in 1ft waves is gnarly for some, but nothing to others. It’s knowing your limits to reduce the risk to lower than normal.

Those walkers should have been clued up on tide times, they were irresponsible and out of their depth (no pun intended).

I do agree with climbing though as there are some risks you can’t control such as rock fall... although these are usually caused by other idiot climbers!

Waiving and drowning
lol nice one

We have been asked to stay out of the water. My DH is a kite surfer, he is extremely competent (used to be sponsored) but he has not gone out despite perfect conditions on many days of lock down because he is not a selfish wanker.

@ragged I wasn't asking AIBU.

Fair points from both sides. Like I said I don't really have a question just feel a bit fed up that people aren't listening. I don't know how they got into trouble, someone posted a video of them before they got into trouble and both were trying to stand up and couldn't do it and they were pretty far out.

I was also annoyed by the comments on the Facebook group, which I've now left. Someone posted on there that they hope next time they drown which I thought was pretty nasty.

If there are governing bodies/organisations such as BMC or RLNI saying don’t go out, then we shouldn’t go out. But the likes of the BC and Running Clubs are encouraging cyclists/runners to go out but don’t take the piss by no gnar, not far, no car.

Our local cycling and running clubs have a similar message peanutbutter.

They've also put in group chats and Facebook groups that people are not to do their own informal training sessions. Parkrun have said nobody should be going to Parkrun courses and doing unofficial ones.England Athletics have said the same and that any informal meetings of athletes must stop.

Most people who are in linked clubs or affiliated organisations are unlikely to take the piss because they respect the organisations they've chosen to join.