Surfing Etiquette
It's important to observe the correct etiquette while out surfing, otherwise things will just descend in to total chaos. Most of the do's and don'ts here are explained in more details in the articles elsewhere on the site. Do try to stick by these unwritten rules, keep yourself out of trouble, and enjoy your surfing. Also take a look at the surfing rules for related information.
Observe Right of Way:
Learn who has the right of way on the wave. Please take a moment and read all aboutwave priority. For those in a rush, here is the condensed version:
- Furthest out:the surfer that is furthest out or that has been waiting longest
- Furthest inside:the closest surfer to the peak of the breaking wave
- First to feet:the first to feet or first onto the wave
- Communication:the call of "Left!" or "Right!" if the wave is dual-peaking
Don't Drop In:
Cutting in front of other surfers who are up and riding is a quick way of getting yourself in trouble with the locals. Observe the right of way and you should be fine.
Don't Snake:
Repeatedly paddling round someone to get into the inside position on a wave is a no-no. Where would we all be if everyone did this?
Don't Hog the Waves:
Share them around. Even if you can paddle furthest outside and catch the waves first every time you reach the lineup, don't do it. People will quickly get annoyed at this sort of behavior and will simply start dropping in at every opportunity. Again, everything descends into chaos!
Do Apologise:
If you drop in on someone, run over someone, or breach the etiquette and rules in any way, just apologise. It's just plain good manners. We've all done things that we shouldn't have when out surfing, saying sorry goes some way to smoothing things over. (Obviously snaking, dropping in, hogging the waves and running everyone over will probably end in a beating, no matter whether you say sorry each time or not.)
Respect the Locals:
Keep in mind that the locals surf the spot every day. Give respect and behave while visiting a spot, keep things friendly, earn some respect yourself. Don't mob surf spots in large numbers. Don't rush straight outside, take your time.
Learn the Right Way to Paddling Out:
Position in the Lineup
Yourposition in the lineupis important, especially if you want to make it as easy as possible to catch waves without continuously having toduck dive.
You'll get a good feel for the best position to be in as your surfing experience increases. You can take your prompt from other surfers in the water while you learn.
The picture below shows the ideal position a surfer needs to be in to catch waves. X marks the spot! This position just outside the breaking waves will give you a chance to recover from the paddle out (especially all you smokers out there!) and also will give you plenty of time to sit up and wait for a really good wave.
Ideal Position in the Lineup
Paddling Out Position
It's easier to paddle through unbroken water than slog your way out through walls and walls of white water. So before you start paddling out, take a good look at where you need to be in the lineup and determine the easiest way to get there. Think it through - what is the best way out? Can I use a rip to help me out? Which route will not put me in the path of incoming surfers? Use your common sense. The picture below shows the obvious route out to the lineup. It's always handy if the spot you are surfing is free of crowds and the waves are breaking in the same spot all the time. (What an ideal world!) Each surf break differs from the next, and each day at a surf break may yield different peaks from the day before, but that is one of the joys of surfing.
Ideal Paddle Out Route
If you take the above route, you should have a nice leisurely paddle out without the need to duck dive waves while avoiding incoming surfers. From the picture you can see that a surfer sitting at the end of the red line at the top right will be just outside the breaking waves.
One thing to be aware of is that you will not always be able to paddle out in the nice unbroken waves. If you are surfing in and come off your board, you may be stuck in the impact zone - known as being caught inside. If this happens, then you should make your way back out to the lineup through the whitewater, and not in the path of other surfers who will be coming in on waves. It is your responsibility when paddling out to keep out of the way of incoming riders.
Surf Spots that Suit your Ability:
Try not to pick a spot that is out of your ability range. You'll only end up upsetting the other surfers by getting in the way or being a potential hazard for everyone.
Help other Surfers:
Always aid another surfer in trouble. Surfing can be dangerous and even fatal, look after each other.
Respect the Beach:
Leave only footprints. Don't litter, graffiti, vandalize, or otherwise impact the beach or surroundings.
Have Fun:
After all that, lets not forget this one.
Do try to stick to these guidelines. The more experienced you become, the more you will come to appreciate the need for everyone to try and stick to this sort of behavior.