Comments...

comment by Anonymous, 2009-02-15 19:13:09

surfing the hook
the hook is one of my favorite spots if you are visiting the hook bring your fish. fishes surf real well at the hook.

comment by Anonymous, 2008-07-19 09:57:17

haaha
i use to live out right near free line growing up surfing this spot i come back now as "a weekend warrior" and am soo surprised about how many barneys are trying to regulate a wave in which is easy to learn on fun long wave "not to be takin to seriously" when you have a big surf shop right down the shop and look outs for tourists your gonna expect beginners and clumbsy people. so if your the hot shot that is tryin to come up on the block and surfing this wave you are a born kook and you might to a little better one a wakeboard and a famous t shirt.

comment by Anonymous, 2007-10-08 21:13:07

a joke
the hook is a mediocre wave that should be left to groms and beginners.

the real barneys here are the guys coveting such a soft wave that offers no challenge. if you are claiming at the hook you are either a) a dork or b) 12 years old.

comment by Anon O. Muss, 2007-07-07 01:30:52

But...
I generally agree with everything you said with just one exception: when the waves are decent there are very few longboarders and they almost certainly get a bad vibe from the locals (and are occasionally "asked" to go somewhere else). Even though the wave is not at all heavy, it is not a good place to learn because of the crowds. Whenever you catch a wave, you have to find a gap to drop into and then weave your way through the inside crowd. If you can't do this with assurance, then you'll probably end up hurting someone. I've seen some spectacular multi-surfer collisions. Also, even though it may be an easy wave for good surfers, most beginners would probably find it challenging (except when it's small) compared to, say, O'Neill's or inside 2nd peak. Lastly, if you are a beginner, just about everyone there can drop in deeper than you can so you'll never get a wave you can call your own and it's pretty hard to improve if you can't catch any waves. Better off learning at a beach break where you can find a spot for yourself.

comment by Anonymous, 2007-07-02 23:11:01

word!!! 6th sc generation guy. good points and very well put. its all true and if people cant understand that... well they probably never will. no flames here bro! keep shralpin'

comment by 6th Gen. Santa Cruz, 2007-06-23 08:31:07

Set it straight
Alright, let me throw in my opinion. The hook is a decent wave, it's not epic or amazing, but its a fun, long, rip-able wave. Yet when it's good, it's always better somewhere else, as it takes a pretty decent swell for this place to really work (though there can be enjoyable small days), and such a swell will really light up Santa Cruz.

There's just a bad mix of people at this spot. As I said,
it's a long, generally mellow wave (but it can barrel on its day; yet not too often), so it attracts lots of long-borders and beginners. At the same time, this is a really easy wave to shred, so many pros come here to work on moves that they can't do regularly at most other places. So there are aggressive rippers and unsure beginners sharing the same wave -a bad combination.

There's a big sign up top with the general etiquette rules posted, and I've often found that these rules are broken equally by beginners and locals alike, be it out of ignorance or rage (I find that neither is more justifiable).

It just ticks me off sometimes, that so many pros and rippers come here when there's a swell, because they should be charging heavier waves, not mushy walls that are just easy to carve the shit out of (but I do admit, I have seen The Hook get hollow; I'm speaking in 99% of the time terms). It makes me think that when there's a swell this really should be the spot where people LEARN to rip, not show off. But then again, everyone has a right to surf the place.

Just my opinion, I'll get ready to be flamed now.

comment by Anonymous, 2007-05-29 00:11:09

Whats with all the gooks starting to slowly creep in. They surf like they drive. Last year there were a lot on smaller days, but the other day the whole parking lot was filled with them. They've already taken over the whole Valley and now they're trying to take over here. Before you know it they'll be all over SC and then all the lineups will really start to be a joke.

comment by hook loc por vida, 2006-12-06 08:14:48

beat it
You have to put in your time in at the hook if you want to get any waves.All you instant locals(just add water) need to figure out is that there are people UP over you.People who have been there for years and they are up over you.If you get burned by a local, then just be cool and take it.Don't make a scene, cause that will just make matters worse for you in the future.--------you've been warned barno's

comment by Anonymous, 2006-12-06 00:18:45

the hook is for kooks. its funny how decent surfers surf there instead of the point and try to regulate. those guys r a joke

comment by Lefty, 2006-10-19 20:52:40

Hardcases at The Hook
The flame wars just never end, do they? It still isn't about MY waves, YOUR waves or whoever's waves. There will be waves enough for all if you remember what you should have learned in kindergarten. Share the surf, bozos.