The Stoke Exchange

So, you want to start surfing? Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Because no matter how fashionable your boardshorts, you're guaranteed to perform your share of Hawaiian noseplants before even remotely resembling the cast of Blue Crush. If, however, you respect the fact that the ocean...

By Deirdra Funcheon

February 19, 2004

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So, you want to start surfing? Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Because no matter how fashionable your boardshorts, you're guaranteed to perform your share of Hawaiian noseplants before even remotely resembling the cast of Blue Crush. If, however, you respect the fact that the ocean dishes up just as many punishments as rewards, and you might appreciate having spaghetti arms after four hours of paddling, you'll be warmly welcomed by three surf clubs meeting this week.

That stereotype of surfers as stoned, punk-ass teenagers? "That's ancient history," says Tom Warnke of the Surfrider Foundation, whose members are the ocean's most frequent customers and, therefore, its fiercest protectors. Surfrider members monitor bacteria levels at public beaches and teach marine science to school children. They meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19, at the Palm Beach Community Foundation, 700 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach. Visit www.surfriderpbc.org.

Lucy Nguyen was tired of getting washing-machined (i.e., tossed around like a pair of dirty socks) by head-high waves when she paddled out with more experienced surfers. So she started a group for women to support one another in any size waves, from ankle-slappers to bombing barrels. Sassy Surf meets for the second time ever on the north side of the Deerfield Beach pier (SE 21st Avenue) on Saturday, February 21, at 10 a.m. Call 954-857-6390 or visit www.sassysurf.com.

The Jupiter Noseriders mix one part community service and two parts fun. They raised $1,000 for a surfer who needed a kidney transplant; they organize beach cleanups; and they hold a beach bash on the third Saturday of every month. Join them at 10 a.m. February 21 at the south end of Carlin Park (400 State Rd. A1A, Jupiter). Call 561-262-4540. --

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