From surffohio@aol.com Fri Nov 22 08:00:51 1996
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Re: crossposts R us
From: surffohio@aol.com
Date: 22 Nov 1996 08:00:51 GMT

In article <32937180.5162071@news.demon.co.uk>,
ric@discoveryinternational.com (Ric Harwood) writes:

>My surfing is neither a game or a competitive activity. So perhaps
>it's only a sport when I do it in the US?

The word game has many definitions, some of them having to do with an
activity having a set of rules. 

However, the first definiton in the World Book Encyclopedia is 1. A way of
playing, pastime, amusement, diversion.

Playing is defined as 1. Something done to amuse oneself: fun, sport,
recreation. 

I really don't see how surfing can sit outside the realm of these
defiitions. It is fun. It is a way of playing.

As one grows older, he quits playing. Imagine yourself at 7:00 am looking
upon swells rolling in at your favorite break. Yo! It's time to go play.

My upper middle class neighbors are still in bed, and when they get up
it's time to watch CNN news, or crap like that. 

I play. I am the only grownup that plays football with the kids in the
street. I can't fathom why the heck some dads don't come out of their
comfy homes and join in.
Have you ever gone to a neighbors house, asked if "Bill" is here, and have
the wife say " he's around here somewhere, playing".

The kids come and get me to play. My wife says "Sam is here ( he's 10
years old). He wants to play football."

They come to my house because I JUST want to play. I'm not out there
"coaching" them, or being a "grownup". I'm part of the team, and those
suckers run me ragged.

Playing is having fun at something, usually a physical activity. I don't
care if it's in England or Tibet. Playing is a universal activity, carried
on by people with a zest for life. 

What other reason is there to surf, than to play a game?

This is why surfers are beautiful people. I have never met a surfer ( now,
I mean surfer. Someone that is involved in the game. ) that I didn't like.


Take great pride in yourselves. You are beautiful children. You have a
game to play.Realize that you are not ordinary in this society.

Go forth and help someone play again. Man's burdens have crushed him
under. Lend a hand, help him play again. Don't condemn him or her. They
really desire to be involved in a game.



Surff