Surf Etiquette, A MUST in any lineup!

Unless you have your own private beach, you NEED to understand basic surf etiquette. And if you have your own private beach, look me up :).

The fastest way to get an early exit from any lineup is to neglect common surf etiquette.

While in most spots they will be more understanding to beginners, you will get a much warmer welcome if you understand and do your best to follow a few simple rules.

Rule #1: Respect the Locals

If you are going to a new break, whether its a few miles down the beach or halfway across the world, be respectful to the guys and gals that surf that spot day in and day out.

One easy way to do this is paddle to the end of the lineup and work your way in with time.

While it can be frustrating, especially at point breaks, be patient and soon enough you'll get your chance. Obviously some breaks are going to be friendlier than others, but just try to gauge it all when your out there.

I've surfed many new breaks all over and have never had a serious issue anywhere. While I have seen and heard of people getting unfriendly exits, from my experiences as long as your respectful you'll be fine.

And while not all locals are going to be as excited to see new people at their breaks, the ones that are can be an extremely valuable source of specifics on their spot. I would highly recommend talking to the locals and getting the low down on the area, you'll be surprised at what you can find.

Rule #2: Paddle out around the lineup

When possible you should paddle out away from the break and the lineup. Paddle out outside the lineup and then when your out, you can work your way into the lineup.

This helps keep the area people are surfing less crowded and also normally keeps you from paddling through set after set.

Look for a channel or jetty to paddle out near to help you get out easiest and keep you out of other surfer's paths.

Rule #3: Paddle behind oncoming surfers if possible

If someone is surfing a wave as your paddling out do your best to stay out of their way. Try to paddle around the back of their board when possible and give as much room as possible.

Also keep an eye on the surfer in case they dont see you. I've seen to many times the person surfing doesn't see the person paddling out and cutsback right towards them or into them.

If you are the surfer in this situation you need to be aware of what's going on. While you have the right of way on the wave, be aware of the people paddling out. Save that cutback for half a second and save both of you the hassle.

While it is both the person surfing and your responsibility not to run each other over, you need to do your best to avoid getting in their way. You can really cause a serious accident or serious frustrations to occur if you paddle into oncoming surfers.

Just be safe and courteous in the water and this shouldn't be a problem.

Rule #4: Who's wave is it?

If no one is surfing the wave, the person closest to the peak of the wave has priority.

The peak of the wave is the highest spot on the wave and typically the first part that is going to break.

If you are down the line from the peak you can still paddle for the wave but if you see someone catch the wave closer to the peak you have to pull out.

DON'T DROP IN ON SOMEONE if it's their wave.

If you do get caught by the wave, get off ASAP to avoid any problems.

If you are on one side of the peak and someone is on the other, you each have priority on your side of the peak.

Also if someone is already surfing a wave they have priority.

Longboarders typically get first dibs on waves as they are able to catch waves much sooner than shortboarders. If you longboard, don't wave hog. While you can catch every wave, be courteous to others in the water.

As you start to progress in your surfing make sure you understand wave priority and surf etiquette so you don't drop in on someone, or worse snake their wave.

Rule #5: DON'T SNAKE!!!

For me this is by far the most frustrating when you're out surfing.

This is when someone paddles around you, either in front or behind, to get closer to the peak and then drops in on your wave.

Don't do this!

Be patient and wait for your wave. I know it can be frustrating on crowded days when you may be having to let good waves roll by because your out of position but everyone else out there is going through the same thing.

If you're surfing and someone is continually snaking don't be afraid to call them out on it. Be wary though, I've seen some ugly things go down when people are snaking waves.

The people that snake are typically locals with a good bit of ego from my experience, so be careful how you handle it.

Just be careful on this one. As you surf more you'll learn ways to deal with this. I just don't want to encourage things to much on this one as I've rarely seen this situation work out well for anyone involved.

Rule #6: Don't ditch your board

If your surfing in a crowded area, don't ditch your board.

Some surfer's, especially beginners, have a tendency to ditch their board and swim under waves. Or they will jump off as the wave breaks and shoot their boards out.

This can lead to huge accidents in crowded surf. You don't want a surfboard coming fullspeed toward you, so do your best to control your board.

With waves breaking, leashes pulling, and currents there is no way to know where your board will end up if you let it go. So do your best to have control of your board and show some surf etiquette.

One of my friends punctured his chest out surfing when a friend lost control of his board. He let a friend new to surfing use his board and his friend fell off a wave and shot the board straight at his chest.

It punctured his chest probably an inch deep right at the heart. Luckily after stitches and a couple weeks off he was fine, but if the wound was any deeper it could have a been a different story.

So for the safety of everyone learn to control your surfboard.

These are all the basics of surf etiquette. If you do your best to follow these simple rules you should have no problems.

Just keep smiling in the lineup and help keep our oceans as fun and safe as possible for everyone.

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