Sorry to hear you had a bad experience beginning in this soooooooo fun
sport. I'm glad to read you got up and rode, then went back out for at
least one more run. Good for you. Screw that dude.

I had basically the same thing happen in Ft. Laud to a "IKO" teacher
that wanted to charge as much as a new board costs. The dude sat in
his chair, shades on and no eye contact (sales fubar) and I told him I
was from Hood River then he layed into me like I was the devil????

They exist on both coasts.

How bout Hobie Alter and his cohort shutting down "Clark foam"
production!!!!!!!!!! Now that' news.....