Claiming. It’s a natural thing, you get a good wave and you want to
celebrate. It’s your surfing; there aren’t any rules, so why should
anybody to turn their noses up at a little bit of good old fashioned
claiming?
Slide Mag thought it was about time we investigated this much maligned practice...
‘Everyone’s claiming. It’s heavy. It’s been accepted again. I saw Andy claim one, Kelly claimed a couple. He did two claims on one wave! And it wasn’t even a crazy wave. Every time he does it he deadset gets an extra point and a half! He just fully Jedi mind tricks the judges. They go ‘If Kelly’s claiming, then it must be pretty sick.’ Everyone’s on to it now. I threw one out at Mundaka and wouldn’t have dreamed of doing one a few years ago...’
Teebs, from an interview in Stab Mag,
Remember when you first started? The first time you got to your feet properly. That first occasion when you trimmed across a green wave. The first time you did a little turn and threw a few inches of spray. Bet you threw up a little clenched fist didn’t ya? Maybe a lil hoot as well? First time you got tubed, that would have been a definite air punch and primal yowl. It’s unavoidable. Those memories will be burned in your grey stuff indelibly. Bet you don’t remember when you became ashamed of the claim. When you got the feeling that celebrating a good wave wasn’t the done thing anymore...
The world is a funny old place. Wisdom about what is ‘cool’ and that which is not spreads around the globe in strange ways. For years claiming was the done thing, the proud declaration of a warrior taming the ocean; well, if you were a beast of a man like Johnny Boy Gomes. Surfing was big, vibrant and showy, the neon 80’s, full of big hair, big egos and big claims. In hindsight the waves were tame in comparison to today’s stuff but the claim was part and parcel of surfing. As the power era faded Kong and the boys took a back seat whilst a young Tom Curren redefined surfing. Style, not power, was key. The hero of the ‘New School’ was not a claim merchant. His understated, humble approach saw the claim dismissed to the dustbin of history, like many fluoro pink wetties of the era.
Next came the New School. The crew that redefined surfing and shaped it into the beast we know today. Kelly, Dorian, Machado and co were weaned on Curren’s perfect style and the claim stayed dormant, no one was better than anyone else, claiming didn’t fit into groove world. Fast forward to recent times. Surfing like most of western culture has dug deep into its roots- the whole retro thing. Whilst the fascination with single fins and twinny’s has waned (after all, there is a reason the thruster became the dominant board, cos it works) the one thing that has come back with avengeance is the claim. First it was ironic, you can do anything if you’re being ironic, the knowing claim came first and it’s mutated and spread virus like back into the mainstream. WCT pros are doing it, in contests, regularly it’s becoming accepted again. Guys are claiming mid-wave, claiming a barrel as they line up the next turn, it’s almost as though the judges need reminding what’s hot and what’s not. So the pros are doing it and what’s good for them is good for the masses. We did the wearing the white T-shirt instead of a rashie thing, we did the super thin banana board thing and no doubt we’ll be claiming. It’s only natural, it’s fun and surfing doesn’t need to be ‘too cool for school’. Fun is what it’s all about. So if you feel the need to throw out a claim, feel free, as you’ll see the jury is not in favour either way. We also have a lil guide to some basic claims, case you don’t know ‘em...
-The Single Fist Pump.
What it says on the tin, punch the air vertically with one fist for your standard claim. Almost genetically unavoidable when you come out of your first barrel.
-The Slingback
A development of the single pump, instead of pumping the air swing your hand out and across your body as if you were throwing a stone. Favoured by Dorian and AI. Can be fitted in between exiting a tube and your next hack.
-The Double Fist.
A simple progression from the single pump. Claim it like its hot. A nice combo gaining currency is the single to double, easy and expressive, for Laurie Towner Backdoor bomb of the season style do a single to double pump twice.
- Low Fist Pump
In the 9-to-5 workaday surf world the only legitimate claim for an excellent ride is the low, barely discernable fist pump, performed subtly at waist level, with no more that an inch of pump.
-The Fade
If riding good tubes the ‘off the back fade’ is a form of claim. On exiting the tube fade over the back of the wave so everyone that was watching can see you made it, and yes you just made a great tube, a big smile helps right here, do not jump off or go prone on your board. Ride until the board stops and gentle submerges but maintain your stance. Sink gracefully up to your neck, this lets the crew out back really know that you’re letting that great tube you just got sink into your memory, then playfully let the board pop free. A freewheeling classic. Machado is the man for this one.
-The Crotch Grab
Reserved for howling, 8-foot+, no-grab, backhand tubes a la Bruce at Chopes. Doesn’t work as well in a wetty as it does in boardies. A good basic claim, as it doesn’t throw you off balance and requires little hand eye coordination. You may well feel better as well.
-The JBG
Popularised by Pipe legend Johnny Boy Gomez this mildly offensive gesture is brutal and to the point, much like Pipe. Place one arm across your body and violently jerk your other arm up wrapping the elbow around the prostrate arm. You know the one.
-The Zombie
Self-explanatory. Do your best Shaun of the Dead corpse impression.
-The Ain’t No Thing
Exit your tube and casually brush your shoulder with your hand as if removing a solitary piece of fluff from a fine Italian suit. Dismissive is the tone you need, cos you pull this kind of shit all the time.
-The Point and Stare
For the media obsessed surfer. On completion of your deep tube fix the media on the beach with your blue steel stare and point accusingly conveying (as well as possible using the medium of mime) ‘Did you get it punks? Huh? Did you get me ripping?’
-The Papal Blessing
A subtle tribute to the now departed Pope, raise both hands to shoulder height and gently gesticulate like an eighty-year old pontiff blessin’ his massive flock.
-The Di Canio
Pull the front of your rashie or oh-so-cool white T-shirt over your head, overpaid football dude style. Do not attempt in crowded environs, as you’ll run some poor cat over.
-The Shooter McGavin
The classic, the all time claim of claims, reserved solely for the best wave of your life. Inspired by the movie classic ‘Happy Gilmore’ the ‘Shooter’ is a tricksy claim requiring a high degree of coordination. First make your hands into guns, playground style, then whip those suckers out of their holsters quick smart, firing two quick rounds into your imaginary foe. Now you’ve slain the beast the coup de grace is the finale- slowly and deliberately blowing the imaginary smoke from your smoking guns one after the other... Timeless.
If you have any other suggestions feel free to add them in the comments...
How about the Surfs Up one- on exiting the barrel turnaround and bow Jap style, hands together etc into the pit. Hard but noble. (Might wanna make sure you ain't running no one over while your facing the other way).
Posted by: Penguin Lover | 20/07/2009 at 03:18 PM