San-O Surfing Tip No. 84: Approaching Locals

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When you paddle out into a new lineup for the first time, chances are good that you are paddling out into a group of people that have known each other for years. They will generally not be particularly happy to see a new face. They will have no idea if you have any manners or not, if you will be a wave hog, if you will go out of turn, etc. If you show up full of attitude, you can expect to be received as poorly as if you had just burst into a stranger's living room uninvited.
This is Joseph. He's a local I met at San-O. He's worked at the SONGS nuclear power plant for 12 years. He surfs straight out from the power plant's water outfall. At first he gave me the 1000 yard stare, but in time he came to accept me.