Salt Creek Soft Top Takeover: Surfing Revolution Or Evolution?

DANA POINT, CA — It was an epic day for surfing, but perhaps not for the serious surfer. In July, what has become known as a "soft top takeover" occurred at Salt Creek Beach where hundreds of costumed surfers with foam boards struck out to takeover waves, knock each other around and generally have a good time doing it.

On July 7, at 5:30 p.m., surfers wearing costumes, masks and headpieces took part in the comedic event where they spun, did handstands and goofed-off on the 2-3 foot swells.

"Nearly 100 surfers arrived with their soft tops, costumes, and Speedos," JacuzziSurfer reported over Youtube. "The conditions couldn't have been better as we got solid south, southwest swell that made for perfect longboarding waves."

There may have been a few busted boards, but the stoke in the water was all time epic, he said.

More serious surfers describe riders of the foam Wavestorm boards as using "bath toys" or riding "sofas." In other words, according to a report in the New Yorker, they probably don't know what they are doing.

Instead, at Salt Creek and other soft top takeover beach events, pool noodles are used in "sword fights," and foam riders take turns actively highjacking one another's waves.

Not cool to some surfers who take their wave riding a bit more seriously.

Still, all riders need to respect the power of the ocean. At Salt Creek, at least one surfer suffered an injury during the event, needing some stitches at a local hospital.

Because of the proliferation of soft surfboards, surf culture is changing, and barriers are dropping.

According to some surfers, soft top riders either don't know or ignore the proper surfing etiquette or 'pecking order,' such as not to drop in on one another's waves. In some parts of the world, multiple riders on one wave is enough to bring surfers to blows onshore. The antics displayed on 'party waves' would not be tolerated. Not so, if soft top riders have anything to say about it.

Soft top boards can be enjoyed by anyone, from the very best surfing has to offer to the biggest 'grom' out there. Plus, being available at every Costco makes them easy to find.
The Soft-Top Revolution is here to stay, according to Surfline News.

"Making fun or frowning down on something is pervasive throughout surfing culture," Nate Rohner, a San Diego native and co-founder of @TeamWavestorm told Surfline. "Why should anyone be able to tell us how or what to surf? Leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone."

As for Rohner, he added that Wavestorms or soft boards are "great for surfing as a whole."

Budget board-riders don't seem to care if they become the joke of the day. They display a joie de vivre for the moment. It's no longer the zen of surf culture but a new dawn of a surf evolution.

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Big thanks to everyone who came out last night to the Takeover! It was so epic! Here are a couple of waves filmed by @socal.surfer. Full video is on his youtube channel and link is in @teamwavestorm bio. Welcome to the team. Tag all your friends that couldn't come so they see what they missed out on! #wavestorm #teamwavestorm #locosonly #welcometotheteam #softtoprevolution #postmoderncollective #gofoamorgohome #nowaveunridden #wavestorms #wavestorming #surf #surfing
A post shared by TEAM WAVESTORM OFFICIAL (@teamwavestorm) on Jul 9, 2019 at 6:36pm PDT