one more reason to be agaisnt skis in the lineups.........isnt there a law for skis to maintain 200 ft from swimmers, surfers, etc.....to each his own, but I personally cant stand em....go ahead and rage but that is just me.....sure there are probabbly 100 surfers in the world that should be able to tow, but for the masses i think it is a bad idea and a slippery slope to degrade our sport even more.....

So much for the good old surf vibe and everyone have fun. What happend to respect? everyone is out surfing for the same reason...to have fun. DONT BE A DICK, SHARE THE OCEAN

Hatsoff to Mr. Fiske for having a pretty good attitude about the whole affair considering the end result. Seems like a pretty level headed man.

Little cocky huh? you shoulder hopped every wave you rode that day. people think you are a kook because you wear a life jacket. Quit complaining, Your mentor Laird

to the guy above: laird wears a vest when he tows, and so do all the guys towing at mavs. no shame in wearing a vest as long as you are charging. and when guys are getting whipped in way behind the peak, the paddle surfers will always look like they are shoulder hopping, but a paddle surfer can only get so deep. I say let the paddle surfers do their thing while they can, and once it gets too big to paddle, the skis can take the stage.

Hey Laird... because of the boards volume, you need a paddle - it's some work trying to move the board without one. After being dragged a hundred yards or so under water at 35 mph, you have to make a decision: 1. Try to surface with one arm, while the other is holding on to a paddle - but that is not very effective. or 2. Ditch the paddle and surface with the use of both arms. When you eventually come up and climb on the board, you should paddle like hell to avoid the next one. The life vest allows you to hold on to that paddle so that you can save yourself. But you already know that. Thanks for your inspiration.

We won't let one Standup kook ruin our tow session. Sorry. Deal with it. Paddle in on your belly like a man or leave kook!

How can you tow-in guys think that you are any better, cooler, and most of all more deserving of these waves then SUP or paddlers...you guys are using a damn machine to tow you in. This guy is using his own power, his own strength. Now...what you guys do with those skis is impressive, but will never generate the same respect as someone who uses their own muscle to pull of the same thing. Plus, he doesnt ruin it for everyone else like you guys do (not to mention the ecological damage you do in comparison). Shave your goatee, ditch the jargon, and grow a pair! Its better to give respect and be respected than to be the best and be hated. And just cause your loser bro friends like you doesnt mean your shit!

SUP-ing is super lame. take your old man sport back to the lakes

id like to hear a comment from some of the tow guys, just to get both sides of the story - but i kinda know what the SUP guy is saying: the biggest grief i have with the tow guys is the wake from the skis. here in Hossegor we have this wave called La Nord, which is kinda the local big wave spot, and when the swell is over 6 ft, it can produce some solid 15-20 ft faces which are great for paddling on a gun.and the tow in guys turn up and start buzzing around and getting their fill, but it f++cks it up for the paddle crew cos the wave face and the take off is all chopped up.BUT, i can see the tow guys view, which is "hey we're not wasting waves-there's a guy on every wave having a blast",whilst the tow guys miss lots of waves due to positioning etc.Basically i think the tow crew should give more space to the paddle crew, or wait till it's simply too big to paddle, but then this is Mav's, so the line gets blurred on what is too big.. having said that, the guy called Laird on here i

Ridiculous. The SUP had no business being out there. Have some respect for the guys who have been surfing the place for a long time and let them tow. Surfer on the wave has right-of-way and the SUP just presents a hazard.

Yea dude, I charge frickin big stuff and my opinion counts. Tow-in rules. Everybody should stay out of my way!! SUP in huge mavericks are for wimps. Paddle-in at huge mavericks are even wimpier. I'm loud, i'm right, and I rule. Dude!

Big respect to the SUP charger ! The tow guys shouldn't be there when there is at least one paddle surfer...

What is a kook these days anyways? If its big enough to paddle the tow guys should step off. I see guys towing in on 6 ft days and when im paddling and it makes me sick. Its lame! Surfing needs to get back to its purity and its roots. Yeah Eddie would tow but im sure he much rather paddle.

To my friend and long time surf buddy Haley, once again you have held your own. I rememeber as a short boarder when long boarding came back in stlye and pissed off the short boarders, and now LB to SUP. But with SUP being new it was not in the chain of respect. If the surf is too big to paddle then SUP is next. If you have to tow in in these waves maybe you should be at the Cortez Banks instead. No crowds there. Who is the bigger stud here, Haley caught 3 waves with fractured ribs under his own power. Tow-in crashed and burned while taking my friend out.....seems pretty clear who is right and who is wrong. Speeded recover my friend the grandes are waiting!!

The SUP thing is getting out of control. They are like oil and water with regular surf craft. If you are the new kid on the block and the kids that were at the footballl field first first, don't want you running across the end zone while they are about to score a touchdown, don't you think you may want to play somewhere else. I SUP surf myself but I have enough respect for people not to endanger them so I can catch a wave. Go pull out on the freeway in front of people if you really want to die. At least he poor soul you dart out in front of will probably have an air bag to stop that 12' 6" PSH epoxy boat from killing them. The fact that someone can barely control something that dangerous doesn't mean they have the right to take others peopls safety in thier hands. I take it that a six man canoe dropping in on you at Mavericks, just because they can, is justified too! Your logic was cracked long before your ribs were pal!!!! SUP GUYS SHOULD SURF BY THEMSELVES JUST LIKE THE TOW GUYS SHOULD

right on!. suposer .plenty of spots you can a SUP dont need to ruin the locals day on a epic fall day.WHODAGUY thinks he can oar his vessel into set waves while locals and veterans have prepared for this type swell event their whole lives.WHODAGUY take your STUP down to Ghost Trees Big Guy.YEAH BRAowcq4n

Haley, unfortunatley for you, when anyone (paddle or tow guy) at Mav's, who doesn't know you, asks who you are, which means, "Should I give him respect?" the answer is, "Some kook who bearly gets to his feet on a shortboard." You get no respect at Mav's because YOU ARE A KOOK! You are trippin' so hard on yourself and your thinking that you are killing it that you can't see what everyone knows: you don't belong out there under any circumstances. You don't know lineup etiquette on a shortboard, so expecting you to know it on SUPKB (Stand Up Kook Board) would be asking too much. SUP are cool under certain circumstances-when there are no paddle or tow surfers in the lineup. Surf where you are not a hazard. I'll give you credit for your dedication to SUP and how much better you are now, but when you were just starting out you surfed in crowded lineups too. I know because you nearly took my head off the year you started. You want respect at Mav's? Ride

To Finish: You want respect at Mav's? Learn how to stand up on conventional equipment like human being instead of that rediculous spastic leg-swing-thing you do that SCREAMS: KOOK! ride a traditional gun, earn your way into set waves in the bowl by taking turns, make your drops, repeat previous steps for whole seasons. But NEVER take your SUP out into a crowd of paddlers, tow-ins, or any other group of wave riders. SUPs take up too much space. You think G-Mac made SUPs safe at Mav's? He didn't, he's mostly hated at Mav's for his TOTAL DISRESPECT for lineup etiquette.

Seriously man? You can't be 'Sweeping' (SUP'ing) out at Mav's Bro! That's just not right. I think that the tow guys should back off when it's a paddle-in day for the most part, but an SUP has NO BUSINESS in a dangerous lineup like Maverick's. Exit the water immediately! Danger Danger! I hate the word Kook and rarely use it because I was one when I was a beginner, and it's just plain negative....but you're a friggin KOOK!

He takes it in the ribs and you punks have the gall to question his integrity? Before you start throwing daggers try it. You'd be floundering. As far as I am concerned SUP is here to stay at Mavs, Cardiff or where ever. So get used to it.

I'm not a big fan of SUP's and actually hate em, but couldn't the tow-in teams give him a wave or two if he's in one? Not like he's gonna get every wave out there. Just keep the SUP's out of paddeling line-ups unless its one foot!!!

This argument should be settled like real men: on dry land. over beer. There are too many egos, too many wannabees and way too much gas-powered stupidity out there for any legitimate NATURAL pecking order to be established. Most of the arguments against SUP are generally from people who think they're getting lorded over in the waters. Statiscally, I would defy anyone to show that Paddlers are stealing more waves than anyone else. Nonetheless, I have seen some real kooks take to paddling. Guys that have never really surfed and DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE LINEUP.

Paddle in is cool. Been surfing 20 years and love it. SUP is cool. Did it for a week last summer and wow you can go anywhere just by thinking. Awesome. Except it involves a big 'ol board and a paddle. Now tow-in. Cool. Except you need a jet ski and a partner...and gas. I've never done it but having been a bare foot water skier I know it would be awesome. My point; it's all good. It's all about having a cool time in the cool ocean. later bro.

I say, if I could vote, ban skis and SUPs in the lineup. tow ins gotta give some juice to SUPr, at least he's under his own power. skis tear up the face and bowls. I understand the quest for the big walls, and skis make it possible, but, they don't belong in the water if there are guys trying to paddle in for some fun. Eventually, there will be more injuries, then laws, then more BS at the state/fed level. Skis will be first to go. Maybe some waves aren't to be ridden. Those are Gods, and no one elses. If we were without hypocrisy, you would have to go back to the purest form, a man and his board. get smelly on your belly.

Seems if you don't police yourselves, the police or lifeguards will do it for you when people are seriously hurt and killed. Time to get out the blackball, give some equal time for all based on conditions, numbers of surfers, SUP's, tow-ins...i don't know, run it like heats...? so it's controlled...? Good to discuss this, fix it before tragedy re-appears. SUP's and Tow-Ins are relatively new and should have some waves to themselves...at the right place, right time,...when & where is that...? we need to figure it out, start giving respect and get the aloha vibe going again...is it too late for that?

Lame... you are all Lame TOWING, SUPING, none of its surfing, they,re like one of those lame psuedo sports like skydiving on a bicycle...

Ruffo can be a very unsavory tool. I respect SUP folks. I think he owes more than an apology for his lack of control. I think he needs to become the heckled.

SUP's are complete idiots. Here at malibu they get kicked off all the time by us longboarders and shorties - they should be banned at Mavs and everywhere - nuthin but a hazard to everyone in the water - so fark em...

motor boat motor boat putt putt putt anyone that rides a SUP can kiss my butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPs suck, it's as simple as that. They have ruined every good break around. Now they're teaching it to tourists everywhere. Towies are lame too cuz they create wakes, and the 2 stroke oil gas combo smells and leaks into the ocean. Either way, surf under your our power, with no aid: paddle or motor. Gondola monkeys or towies don't belong in the surf zone!

This is exactly why surfing has losts it's appeal. Egotists who forgot what it is like to go out and have fun and enjoy the waves. They become arrogant and media whores and think they are all bad ass like Marvin Foster! Who was by the way bad-ass! All you playas in the H2O stop actin' like gangstas and bring back the love to this sport again. Did Greg Noll act like this? Take some inspiration from Jack Johnson. Wus-SUP!

Been surfing my entire life... How lame... tow, versus paddle, versus standup - get a life..... I don't care who you are, or how loc you are... ignorance just seems to play a huge role in surf culture, so much that its starting to remind me of gay activities like roller-blading... use your brain and quit being such donkey's - that goes for all the big top act-rad tow folk, purist paddlers and SUP donkey jocks. Just be thankful that you can even do the things you do... you could have been born in the middle of Africa with no access to water - including drinking water... PS. Who really cares about your next rad shot in the mag... just go surfing...

No different than a day on the freeway...you will always face good drivers and bad drivers, and MORE drivers, drivers in all sorts of moods...all you can do is stay in control of your own thoughts/actions/behaviors, and react to situations. TRY(hard as it may be)to be part of the solution, not the problem. Have some EMPATHY, imagine the other is your brother....put yourself in the other's position, and DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU (seriously, think about that!). Share + don't hog waves = safer, fun for all. We may fight it, but ultimately, will ALL need to learn to get along. The sooner we do, the sooner we will reduce stress related disease, and sorrow brought to our loved ones waiting for us on land. Give someone a wave today, it feels soooo good! Plus, chances are, there's a better one out the back with your name on it!! Do unto others...even my 3 year old has learned the value of sharing. YOU can make a positive difference in this world today. Peace. (now let the angry peop

Tow in surfers are half ass. They dont have the balls to paddle into waves. Thats why there being towed, cause there to scared to paddle into those monsters. Its like a little boy having to hold his mothers hand to cross the street.

MacD, Classic Bone, Jimmy - thanks for the positive waves bros - cool - means cool and surfing - that is hookin' into the energy - is cool

thanks for the positive waves Jimmy. surfers are cool. the people who enjoy the waves as they were created...on Oahu i sat there and watched two locals shout it out....so sad...they were both on short boards. anti-surfers (but they were both ok on their boards) the best surfers , for example Larry Ugale, is cool as a human fisrt; the nicest dude you could meet...and his surfing ability is on par with his personality. I've never even spoken to the dude so don't take me as a Ugale-promoter or anything... I just know of him....he is nice to EVERYBODY. remember, if you surf on fiberglass you are using a modern invention compared to the original surfer.... judge not your friend who uses a different form of innovation. Just as on a hiking trail- right of way should be granted to the one who is on the least mobile board - the paddler. it's simple. have a great day

If the spot has been paddled into. Don't tow there!

Too bad people get all worked up and star in their own circus over what is really a highly over rated big wave. What a shame.

thats where all sup'ers should go- mavs!

Its called respect for mankind !!!! how hard is it!!if you have nothing good to say shut the hell up!!!!no one owns the ocean get along or go home!!!If you don't like it we live in the great place on earth voice your feedoms!!!!If you don't like those PROS!!! DON'T BUY the crap the company they ride for makes or the mag's that publish their photos that they get paid for then see how much they still hate having to share with the people who pay them to be a pro surfer!!I know a norcal tow team that charges as hard as all those kook and no pics no pay check just love of it ps the kooks in cardiff are a little differentand very much deserve having to deal with sup knuckleheads its the samething they have being doing to the rest of us for years I always hear people crying about how crowded it is back to money/media machine stop giving them your money to explote our love for their personal gain

Sorry, Wilber, but SUP paddleboarding with broken ribs doesn't buy this guy any points.Had he actually had to lay down on his surfboard and paddle into a wave at MAVS with them, I might be impressed. Don't be too sure that SUP's are here to stay - change is in the air and I hope to see all of them banned from most breaks, ESPECIALLY Cardiff (the idea that these guys don't sit way outside and snatch wave after wave from the real surfers couldn't be further from the truth - it's the whole reason these marginal surfers traded in their webbie gloves for a 13 foot behemoth in the 1st place). Fisk wasn't "paddling" with his own strength- he was using a paddle, which is very different and, as far as I am concerned, makes him a vessel. If he needs some kind of apparatus to get into the wave, then that means it's fair game with the skis. SUP surfing is not some kind of technological evolution of the surfboard, the way fiberglass was to wood. It's a completely different

what a bunch of whiners.

Don't cry about it. Just keep surfing you will get better. Then you might be able to catch a wave. Not blame others for your lack of experience.

I surfed huntington pier today and it was macking on my chest and belly then some SUP showed up and I barked at him till he swept his kook ass to Mav's where my SC boys layered him with diesel fuel. What?