Since the riding of waves, the basics of surf etiquette have been etched in the invisible surfers handbook since the start of surfing history. Your instructor might give you the basics of it or some fellow surfer might shout it to you; the basics of surfing etiquette are still prevalent today. Therefore before hitting the waves here’s what you must know about surf etiquette in order to get you into the right ways of surfing.
Why are These Important
The cornerstones of surf etiquette is: respect for fellows surfers and respect for the ocean.ย Those have been founded on helping you and others enjoy the waves, especially since surfing is gaining popularity and safety at the ocean is very important. So remember these when you hit the waves.
1) Giving the Right of Way
The surfer who is closest to the peak of the wave. This means if you see someone on the right paddling to catch the wave while you are left still not at the peak yet; you give way to the surfer who has already started on the right. There are a few variations which that might happen as well.ย For example:
- If there is already a surfer riding a wave and you are on the whitewash, do not attempt to catch wave. That is called back-paddling, and if the surfer cuts back while you are there, you could easily injure someone.
- If there are split peaks on the wave the surfers on each have the right of way. When they take-offย both should go on opposite sides of the wave on which they started and not cut into each other.
- If the wave closes out and the surfer in front of you is not able to catch the wave, you can try for the wave.
2) Never Drop In on a Fellow Surfer
This is sort of related to the above rule but more explicit. This happens if you as a surfer have already started riding a wave and somebody tries to catch the wave and drops straight in front of you to catch the same wave. This is on the annoying scale of a surfer as: super annoying. It is not fun and also dangerous.
No waves are that good for you to drop in and ruin it for everyone. So never try that! Don’t do it!
3) When You Paddle In…
While you are paddling into the lineup always try paddling in from the side where it is less crowded or where the currents can take you in (which is usually on the side of the wave). Never paddle in front of someone who is taking a wave, make sure you are far into the lineup if you are trying to find the right space.
4) Never Ditch Your Surfboard
This is like your partner in surf. So never ditch your surfboard especially if there is a crowd at the beach. Apart from being stolen it will prevent people from being injured by an unmanned board. Always make it a habit to keep an eye on your board
5) Don’t Snake a Brother
Snaking in the traditional sense is surfing around another surfer or path in a S form intentionally blocking the waves for other surfers. No one respects such a surfer, no matter how good you are.ย Even if you surf locally, snaking someone is no way to extend your authority on visiting surfers (trust me this happens). I honestly feel it does not prove anything except give birth to annoyance and animosity. No one ever had fun time causing a ruckus, especially if we all came to te beach to surf. So don’t a fellow surfer even if he/she is a beginner.
If you are a known snake, I swear I will find you, I will catch you and I will ban you.
6) Don’t Be a Wave Hog
You might be able to catch all the waves that come to you. Sometimes lognboarders, kayakers, wind surfers and others might be able to catch more waves. But surfing is a give and take, you want to have fun and you want others out there to enjoy the passion of surfing like you. So leave a few waves for others to surf too.
7) Respect the Ocean
Mother nature gives all these good swells and waves that come from them. How better way to repay the debt by respecting the ocean, which includes not littering and keeping it clean. We all want people to love surfing and love the ocean like us, so we all do a little to keep the ocean clean for all to use.
8) Know Your Exp Level
If you are a beginner and have just hit the waves, sometimes it is not advisable to go starting at a crowded line-up. You might want to try a place where it is not as crowded. Even though, they may not be the best waves but you will definitekly catch more waves and make it safer for all. So know your limitations and make sure you gauge yourself accordingly. You will get more fun out surfing by doing that.
Respecting the Ocean and Fellow Surfers
Sometimes we all mess up and as surfers if happens occasionally. If you accidentally drop-in or make a mistake a curt apology will normally diffuse a situaton. When you are surfing no matter how good you are, always remain humble. If that way you show respect to fellow surfers and to the ocean.
Above All, Respect
Remember you want people to have a passion for surfing as much as you do.ย So always remember your surf etiquette. It might be hard to take it all in but when you hit the waves and watch fellow surfers do their thing it will slowly become second-nature for you to remember how to surf respectably.
Do you have a good or bad experience related to surf etiquette? I would definitely like to hear it out. Please drop me a comment on experiences you might have encountered.
The Daily Pumpernickel 