Three-time international surf champ Corky Carroll gives us his surfing insight each week on the Beach Blog. Here’s what he wrote up this week:

Q.  Today I was almost run down by a surfer on a wave when I was paddling out.  Isn’t it the guy on the waves responsibility to go around people who are paddling out?

A.  A big NO on that one dude.  Think of it as riding a roller coaster.  You do the ride and then you walk around and get back on.  You do NOT walk in front of the oncoming cars.  Surfing is the same way.  Paddle around the break if you can.  Always give way to the person riding the wave.  The rider has the right of way.

Q.  I am thinking of picking up a friend’s long board and using it as a paddle board. I am 185/190 lbs(should be 175). The board is 10 ft or 10′ 6”. Will that work ? What is the difference in a long board and a paddle board?

A.  No, that is not gonna work very well.  A SUP (stand up paddleboard) is far thicker and wider than a normal longboard.  They are made to be stable while standing even at a dead stop.  A longboard will not float you well enough to stand up paddle on.

Q.  Do you remember a surfer girl in Huntington Beach during the 1960’s that was called “ka Hunk?”

A.  Absolutely.  Pam Williams.  She was wonderful.  Really a cool girl, very fun to be around.  She was a tad on the chubby side and surfers can be pretty insensitive when it comes to things like that.  Hence the nickname.  But she was fine with it.  I have no idea what became of her, but if you know then tell her hi from me.

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