Yes

In preparation for this debate, I've spent the last few days watching Patrick Swayze absolutely shred in "Point Break." My counterpart, meanwhile, warmed up by hitting a bucket of range balls.

Thanks to the good folks at www.Riptionary.com, I am fluent in surferspeak. My opponent knows how to order a beer in Spanish.

So who is this golf writer on the other side ripping me and telling you surfers aren't too territorial?

What a ridiculous argument. It's the ocean. There are no lot lines or fences or deed restrictions -- only kooks claiming ownership of their favorite spots.

A lifeguard is quoted in today's cover story on surfing as saying: "It can get kind of tense in the water sometimes, especially when it's crowded. But it only gets physical once or twice a year. Most of the time they just scream at each other."

That's not the worst of it. I've heard stories of vacationing surfers in Mexico being targeted by wrist-rocket-wielding locals who want the waves to themselves. Patrolling some SoCal waters are surf gangs who, apparently, have watched "Point Break" far too many times.

I don't get it. I grew up playing hockey. We had neighborhood rinks instead of surf spots. Little kids lumped in with the big ones. Everyone playing together. Everyone getting along. No one acted as if they owned the puck or a particular patch of ice.

It seems some surfers take themselves too seriously. They have forgotten that surf is an unlimited resource, not unlike the gas being spewed on the right side of this page. Surfer dudes and dudettes jostling for waves seems as senseless as Eskimos fighting over snow. But they're out there, trying so hard to act cool they end up as buffoons.

Gnarly, indeed.

Marc tells us that surfers are simply enhancing the "safety" of the sport when they shoo away outsiders. I'm not sure what kind of logic equates aquatic fistfights as "safe," but I do know the chemicals they spray at golf courses -- not to mention all those cervezas -- can kill brain cells at an alarming rate.

The romantic notion of easygoing surfers sharing waves, calling everyone "dude" and hanging out by the bonfire seems more fairy tale than fact.

If you're interested in something a bit safer, try hockey.

Contact sports editor Loren Nelson at (760) 740-3551 or lnelson@nctimes.com.