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Paul Clark/Photo Editor
Pepperdine surfers are taking notice of a small, but growing trend in the sport, though students are typically not participating in it. Paddle surfing, a style in which surfers row out to the waves standing up while using a large oar, and is becoming a less obscure sight along the shores of Malibu.
However, Pepperdine surfers are generally more inclined to opt for the short and longboarding styles.
Paddle surfers use their oars to propel themselves and their boards out onto the water. They glide along the surface, standing up the entire time, and when they see a wave, they paddle into it.
Although many past civilizations have utilized the paddleboard as a means of recreation and to fish, the style has only recently caught on in modern Southern California. The resurgence of the trend can be partly attributed to famed professional surfer Laird Hamilton, who began paddle surfing several years ago. Hamilton also pioneered the technique of “tow-in surfing,” or the use of inflatable boats to tow surfers into exceptionally large waves.
“Laird is very innovative,” said senior Drew Migliazzo, a member of the Pepperdine surf team. Though he rides a shortboard, he said he would “definitely” like to try paddle surfing eventually.
Paul Clark/Photo Editor
That may be because paddle surfing is an activity practiced primarily by older surfers according to Pepperdine students.
“The people I usually see doing it are older people,” said Pepperdine surf team co-captain Jay Cain. “I kind of joke with people that they do it because they have bad backs and can’t lay down on their boards.”
Another reason the trend has not caught on with younger surfers is the elevated cost. Paddle surfing necessitates a longer, thicker and often specially-made surfboard, as well as an oar. “It’s a big start-up cost to get the paddleboard and the paddle — more than just what it would cost to buy a basic surfboard,” Cain said.
Paul Clark/Photo Editor
Paddleboards tend to measure about 12 feet in length and usually cost upwards of $1,000.
Freshman Martin Premoli, a shortboarder who has been surfing for seven years, said paddle surfers have not caused him any trouble in terms of traffic on the water. Why? “Because you rarely see paddleboarders around here … it’s just starting up here in Malibu,” he said.
In town, paddle surfing is more commonly seen at beaches such as Point Dume, Surfrider, Little Dume, where Hamilton is said to ride the waves.
Although the traditional lying down surfing styles are significantly more popular than paddle surfing at Pepperdine, students should not be surprised if on their next trip to the beach they see one of these unconventional surfers, maybe even one of their peers, oar in one hand and paddling out to the waves on foot.
Submitted 10-05-2006
MALIBU, CA
