Everyone’s got to start somewhere, but a bit of knowledge can go a long way. Photo: Shutterstock
Many people, including experienced surfers, seem to forget surfing etiquette while out in the lineup. There are two ways we are looking at this.
First, there are the beginners who simply do not know better and are in a totally new environment. Then there are experienced surfers who just blatantly disregard etiquette because they feel they have more of a “right” to be there than others.
I’m not saying that I’m perfect; I’m guilty of ignoring etiquette myself from time to time, and at one point, we were all beginners. The trick here, though, is that there is no written rule book or laws that apply. These are all un-written rules and for the most part, they’re just in place to keep things organized and safe.
Be aware of what’s happening around you. Photo: Matt O’Brien
1. Spacial Awareness
One of the most important things to consider for a beginner is that you have to be aware you are entering a new environment, and it’s full of hazards you don’t even know are there.
It is easy to lose your focus and awareness right from the start. A lot of beginners will get tunnel vision, focusing on what is directly in front of them. You need to be aware of this and only paddle out to the appropriate line up for your ability.
Being comfortable in the line up goes a long way for your safety, the safety of others, and how much fun you are going to have. If you can’t manage yourself just paddling out, you are going to be in the way. Apart from the waves themselves doing you damage, your own board can become an uncontrollable object ready to knock you and others out.
Only paddle out on days or places you are comfortable with, and make sure you have the right beginner board for your ability. Soft Tops are a great option for this as they are safer for everyone if you do happen to get caught up in some carnage.
That spacial awareness really comes into play when your surfing progresses enough to be sitting in the line up. At this point, you have to be aware of where to paddle out, how to stay out of the way, and who has the right of way when everyone is paddling for a wave.
Safety over comfort. Photo: James Pham
2. Paddling Out
When paddling out, your goal is to make it to the line up without getting in anyone’s way and with the least amount of effort as possible. But the effort is secondary to staying out of the way.
On the way out, don’t assume someone surfing the wave can see you, and try not to ruin their wave, even if they do. If you see someone coming down the line, but your best spot to duck dive is right in their path, paddle into the breaking part of the wave and deal with the white water. Let the surfer continue on their way without having to dodge you. People will remember who is constantly in the way, and your chances for getting waves in the first place will dwindle if you are that person.
If possible, look for a channel to paddle out through. Many waves will break over a defined sandbar or reef, then die out when the water gets deeper. There is no sense in paddling directly out where the wave breaks when you can easily paddle around it. This way, you not only stay out of the way of other surfers, you will save yourself time and effort. The actual distance to the line up may be more, but if you are stuck in the impact zone, you will be paddling forever and not make any headway.
Make sure that you have the right equipment. Looking for information in articles like What Board Should I Surf, where you can make more informed decisions about picking right board for your abilities and the waves is a good place to start. Don’t try paddling a longboard out at a super hollow wave where you not only have difficulty getting past the breaking waves, but the board doesn’t fit the shape of the wave very well. This can turn into carnage really fast, as a big, heavy board just becomes a floating projectile in the wrong hands.
Locals rule. Photo: Tozzi
3. Right of Way
Many waves peak over a certain sandbar, reef, or off a structure of some sort, around the same area over and over again. In an ideal situation, when there is a crowd, the unwritten right of way rules apply in an attempt to ensure that everyone gets their wave and gets it all to themselves.
Keep in mind though, that as more and more people get into surfing, many times there are not enough waves for everyone on a general day, so drop ins do happen. Locals will know the line up better and will be in the right spot time after time. Sometimes, they may just blatantly drop in on you, especially if you’re a little too deep, or have blown it on a few good waves beforehand.
Generally, in a pack of people, you have to work your way up to being in the right spot. The surfer furthest out and closest to the peak of the wave usually has the right of way, and anyone else going for the wave should pull back and let them go.
This is a loose rule though; if you are closest to the peak but it takes you forever to get to your feet and the wave passes you by, a surfer outside the peak but up to their feet surfing first will have the wave.
On the other hand, longboards and SUPs can sit way out back and get into waves much earlier than shortboarders on the inside. Yes, they should have the right of way as they will be into the wave surfing first, but if there are not that many waves and they are making it back out to the line up and taking every single wave, they need to be aware that there are others surfing too… before long they will just get dropped in on by other surfers who are getting frustrated by their actions.
Pretty simple: be nice. Photo: Adam Dewolfe.
4. Treat Others How You Want to be Treated
In the end, the number one rule really should simply be “treat others how you want to be treated.” Our parents have drilled this into us since we were able to walk, so it shouldn’t go out the window when we enter the water. Good karma goes a long way when surfing with others.
For 99% of us, surfing is nothing more an enjoyable past time. It’s not a career, and you’re not going to die if you don’t surf–although many of us feel that way. We are all out there to have a good time. If you are just dropping in, getting grumpy, putting out bad vibes, you are not having fun and more than likely pissing off others around you.
When you are paddling out to a new line up, respect the locals who surf there every day. You will be surprised at the number of waves you will get at a new spot if you show your respect. If you just go out and act like you own the line up, they will be quick to keep you from getting any decent wave.
On the other hand, if you are a local at your spot, realize that there are very few places left on this earth where the locals are the only ones out. Use your knowledge of the wave and your surfing experience to help determine what waves you get. You don’t have to just drop-in all the time; there will always be another wave.
Have fun, share waves, put out good vibes, and your surf session will be that much better.
This piece was originally published on Boardcave.com
