Page 14 - Issue 3

GRAPPLER Summer 2019

Again, the foreigner takes another wave, and then Whenever I go to a new surf spot, my number one
another. The pack has noticed. I hear Balinese being rule is to respect the locals. The same applies when
spoken. I sit on the outside and watch. Again, it’s a visiting a gym.
paddle battle. The foreigner and a local Balinese take
off on the same wave. The mat is their piece of the ocean. I don’t “paddle
out” on the mat and try to challenge every roll as if it’s
The foreigner is in front and the local is behind. a gold medal match. This is their house, and I must
The wave is now cresting, causing a barrel. The local respect it in order to be accepted into the pack.
turns hard to the right, diving into the wave; he catches
the back of the foreigner’s left heel with his arm. The Or the enforcer will step up.
foreigner eats shit and tumbles like a rag doll.
When visiting, I keep it fun. I like to let my new
‘Damn...’ is all I remember hearing mumbled. friends put me in a bad position and try to figure out
the new puzzle. Usually, the higher-ranking grapplers
The foreigner’s head pops up like a sea turtle getting notice my tactic and invite me to go harder with them,
air. He grabs his board and paddles back out. and it’s a fun roll from there.

He and the local exchange words. Then the pack Visiting a new gym can be intimidating at first.
paddles over. I’m thinking to myself, ‘You picked the The faces are new, and you don’t know how you’ll be
wrong battle.’ accepted. Try my outlook and you’ll be fine. Respect the
locals, and they’ll give you waves.
After more words and some splashing, the foreigner
decides enough is enough and paddles back in.

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