Hey Dibi: What's The Best Way To Deal With Surf Rage?
Editor’s Note: Have a question for Dibi Fletcher? She’s definitely got answers. Or at least a perspective. Don’t hold back, shoot her a DM on Instagram and ask away. Here’s this week’s dispatch from the Matriarch of Radical…
Hey Dibi…. Summer’s here and my local break is overrun with kooks. How do I not lose my mind, or get into fights in the lineup? - Over It In Oceanside
Hey Over It In Oceanside… Breathe, it’s now a reality that everywhere is overcrowded. Go early or late- dawn patrols and sunset sessions are your friends. Practice “smile and nod” kindness helps to lower tension in the lineup. You might want to scout out lesser-known spots that are a bit harder to get to. Keep your cool: the summer crowd will eventually go back to work or school, and you’ll be back in the lineup with your 100 closest friends.
Hey Dibi… I’m a beginner and terrified of summer beach breaks with all the swimmers and boogie boarders. Any tips? - First Timer in Florida
First Timer in Florida… Not knowing where you are located it’s hard to give you precise info on specific breaks that are the most beginner friendly. My advice is to hit up the local surf shop and see about getting some lessons. I’m sure they have a program for beginners that would help you get a handle on when and where to surf so you can enjoy the experience and build ocean awareness. Getting some tips early on will make the learning curve go a lot more quickly and it’s absolutely more fun when you get to share the stoke!
Hey Dibi…. The summer sun is cooking me alive out here? What’s your go to protection routine that doesn’t feel like a wetsuit? - Crispy in California
Hey Crispy in California… Rash guards with UPF 50+, reef-safe sunscreen (reapply often) and a good hat for between sessions. I’m a big fan on non-nano zinc oxide on the face and a hydration pack in your car. Post-surf aloe after a cool shower is great for keeping the skin in good shape. Protect yourself so you can surf and enjoy yourself all summer.
Related: Hey Dibi: Is the Olympics Good for Surfing?
Hey Dibi… What’s the best way to handle surf rage when someone drops in on me repeatedly this summer? - Heated in the Hamptons
Hey Heated in the Hamptons... With the ever-growing crowds at every break it seems that tempers are being constantly tested. I do know that confrontation rarely ends well and what may start out as a few harsh words can escalate quickly and become extremely ugly and there are no winners. You might want to try going out at different times when there’s less crowd and channel that energy into better positioning and wave selection instead. The best revenge is getting more waves and having the most fun.
Hey Dibi.. Is night surfing worth it during the summer to surf with less crowds? - Nocturnal in Oregon
Hey Nocturnal in Oregon.. My son, Christian, has always been a huge fan. From Pipeline to Bali, he’s paddled out in huge surf with only the moonlight to light the face of the wave. Of course I would never suggest anything so crazy, but, I think it would be absolutely worth it to surf crowd free if you went with a buddy and used a bright LED headlamp. Know the tides and the currents intimately. The phosphorescence and empty lineup make it magical- just don’t push it if conditions feel off.
Hey Dibi… What’s the smartest gear upgrade for summer surfing in warm water? - Gearhead in Hawaii
Hey Gearhead in Hawaii… A nice flexy springsuit, or boardshorts/rashguard. A good pair of booties if your spot has urchins or sharp reef, and consider a lighter, more responsive shortboard or hybrid. A quality backpack that fits a day’s worth of water and snacks that makes life easier when the parking is miles away.
