Howly I think you're onto something there - and it may be as simple as clout. Let's face it - surfers can be a seriously judgmental bunch - I've had conversations with rando surfers here and there around Oregon (outside the lineup) and there's inevitably a 'sizing up' going down once the conversation around surfing starts, something like:
Does this dude/chick *really* surf or did they just rent a soft-top last weekend, manage to stagger into stink-bug stance once and are now claiming to be a surfer?
Sounds like they surf, but do they *surf* (i.e. do they only paddle out in 2' mush at Sharties or are they charging an 8 ft barreling Point... or somewhere in between?)
I think (for Oregon at least) longevity becomes a factor with surfer-clout. "I used to surf Shorties when you could have it to yourself for hours, firing on a Saturday in October!" I heard someone say that anecdotally once. Was that ever a thing? Maybe, maybe not, but I'll say any 'known' spot is exponentially more crowded than when I started surfing up here...
So - as the conversation flows, maybe it's a matter of 'clout' to be able to say you got Guanos or G-spot firing on such and such a day... Oh shite... did I just name drop?!
I guess secret spots aren't really real anymore. I've done the Google map thing and have scored big time on some occasions, totally busted on others. One of the best solo sessions I've had in recent memory were right off the rocks at 15th street in LC. Super-secret spot!