It all comes down to one basic rule: Be Nice. Photo: Camila Neves
Traveling the world to surf exotic beaches is every surfer’s dream. Much of the reason some of the big names in professional surfers have so many social media followers is for glimpses of their travels. But visiting other locales also comes with a responsibility to show respect to the locals and their home turf.
Do Not to Go Disney World On Them
Disney World is an amusement park and resort that was built for the sole purpose of having tourists visit it. And while that’s great, sometimes tourists take that attitude to other places. Whatever beach you’re visiting was not created for your personal entertainment. It has locals who use it every day for work and entertainment. Treating an area as if it exists solely to amuse you is rude. It was there before you came and it will be there after you’re gone.
Use Common Sense When It Comes to Taking Waves
Unless it’s your first day on a surfboard, you know about the lineup. Lineups make sure there’s some sort of order out there and that everyone gets a turn. Otherwise, it’s a bunch of people dropping in on each other. Wave right of way is important. The rider who has been waiting the longest or who is closest to the breaking wave has the right of way.
Speaking of the lineup, snakes don’t do well on visiting beaches. If you’re the guy that paddles out to the peak and takes every set wave, thinking that no one’s noticing, you’re not being slick. People see what you’re doing and wave hogs are not welcome on any beach, whether you’re a local or not. This is basic surf etiquette, but it’s especially important when you’re away from your home beach. Imagine if you were on your own beach and a tourist spent all day back-paddling you?
Don’t Let Waves Go to Waste
So now it’s your turn. If everyone is following the lineup, they expect you to take the next decent wave that comes your way. But what if you don’t want it? Maybe you’re not interested in this one, or you need a minute. No problem. Don’t paddle half-heartedly for it, then pull back at the last moment, blowing it for anyone else that might’ve been in position. Make it clear early that you’re not going to go, and give the next person up a chance to take it. If you’re not clear, other riders get really impatient with wasted waves pretty quickly. You’ll open yourself to being dropped in on because no one will think you’re actually there to take any waves.
Don’t Take Anything Too Personally
If we go back to the idea that you’re a guest on a visiting beach, you may not know all of the customs of the area. And you certainly don’t know all of the other riders there. So don’t take every look or action personally. If there’s some confusion over whose wave it is, let it go. And if someone is trying to engage you in a way that’s not very welcoming, don’t do it. It’s not worth the bad karma.
Never Forget That You’re a Guest
You surf all the time, right? Wherever you have your board and there are waves, you’re at home, right? Wrong. When you’re not on your local beach, you’re technically a guest. And just like being a guest in someone’s home, you need to be on your best behavior. This includes cleaning up after yourself. It doesn’t hurt to pick up a few pieces of litter before you leave, even if it isn’t yours. They don’t know you. They don’t know that you’re not a douche.
And if you make a mistake, like dropping in on someone, don’t be shy about apologizing. “I’m sorry, dude” can be the magic words to diffuse a situation before tensions get too high.
