Watch out for the kooks this summer

Eish, my poor mate Josh McWilliams is holed up in the hospital with a darn sore head - complete with stitches and skull fracture. All thanks to some less than stellar riding skills of a fellow surfer.

Warm water, sunny skies and school holidays means that it's open season in the water. Everyone, their dog (see Latest Shots) and the kitchen sink is out there on a board. Which means high crowds and low skill levels, which is why you see the pics above. Josh just minding his own business having a surf, next thing he's in hospital and being told no surfing for 6 weeks. How's that for bum luck!

Firewire vs head, and amazingly head won - Josh has the tip of the firewire that was taken out of his pip to prove it!

I really think the older guys in the water need to try ensure a semblence of order in the line-ups over the festive season. If you see a clueless kook flailing about and generally looking like an accident waiting to happen, then go over and nicely explain (and I do mean nicely!) why it might be a better idea for them to move out of the main surfing area until they're a bit better.

We all had learn somewhere, but back in the day when I was learning to surf you sure as hang kept well away from the "real" surf spots. Finding an uncrowded stretch of surf with plenty of foamies and no-one to ride into! There's lots of lil rollers both left and right of the main peaks at Pipe, so nudge the beginners in that direction. They're probably totally oblivious to what a danger they present.

So 'cmon you local crews, keep your surf spot safe this summer and be a polite traffic cop to those around you in need of directions. A short friendly explanation as to why you're pointing out they should move off should do the trick.

PS Thanks to Andrew Lenton for helping Josh out and calling his mom. Get well soon Josh. Remember, chicks dig scars!!