the unwritten rules any surfer knows (or should know)..
Surf Etiquette is a set of rules, values, or principles that any surfer should be familiar with. Most schools and trainers will introduce beginners to Surf Etiquette. Others will learn it the hard way. Bottom line, any surfer knows it. I wrote this article so you can simply learn about Surf Etiquette or come back any time to remind yourself how to behave at the lineup.
Surf Etiquette’s purpose is a set of principles shared among the surf community to avoid collisions (physical and social), create a safe space for everyone, and ensure you enjoy your time in the water with the others. They are almost like road rules, it’s enough to have one who doesn’t respect them to get others in trouble. I’m assured you’re not seeking to be that one, so please, take them to deep understanding, and keep them close to you.
This is the most important and basic rule of the lineup. Waves are vertically ridden, so each wave is reserved to one surfer. Imagine it was a water slide at the park. Each one has its own individual ride. So, how do we decide who gets priority to the wave, you may ask? Simply the one who is the closest to the peak. (the point where the wave first breaks). The only time two riders might ride the same wave is on an A frame wave (a wave that breaks equally to both sides). Then, and only then, one surfer could ride the left of the wave, while the other surfer could take the right.
In short – the one who is closest to the peak has the priority, The Right of Way.
Dropping In is the big NO NO of surf ethics. After you get the idea of Priority, you are able to understand that taking someone else’s wave is clearly stealing his Priority. Or simplify Dropping In someone’s wave. Many beginners fall into this nasty habit for 2 main reasons. The first reason is their unawareness of the Right of Way principle, so they just drop any wave they can. They are literally killing others’ vibes and stealing waves! The second reason is that they lack surrounding awareness. They might know that they shouldn’t Drop In others’ waves. Yet, they don’t pay enough attention to others when they paddle into a wave. They’re trying to get waves and care only about their own path. Focusing on their own way to get the wave. Then forget to check around them if anyone closer to the peak is already paddling into the wave, or even is already riding the wave. Now, it’s too late.
How to avoid – Simply, before paddling and committing to a wave, look back and to your sides. Be sure no one else is about to ride the wave before you, and make sure you are not paddling into someone else’s wave. You don’t want anyone to do it to you, do you?
Whether you paddle out after a sick wave or start your session by making your way to the peak, you should always avoid the Impact Zone. Waves usually break at the same spot and surfers ride them from the Peak to one of its faces – sides (sometimes both). The Clear Path is where the wave does not break, and where surfers are not riding the waves. Keep on this path to flee collisions and avoid being an obstacle to other surfers. It usually will play to your benefit as well, as it’s gonna be the ‘long short way’ to reach the peak.
Finding The Clear Path – Before you start paddling out for the first time in the session. Get a moment to watch the waves and understand what they are doing. Where the surfers are going, what areas seem calmer and safer for you to pass. From that, build your Clear Path beforehand.
You may ask yourself, ‘What does Wait Your Turn? If I am already aware of No Dropping In?’ Well, dropping in is much like when someone orders coffee and he is about to get served, but you decide to steal his coffee just when he approaches to grab it. Wait Your Turn simply means queuing to the peak. Don’t overtake people who are waiting for their own go on the wave, avoid them and paddle right to the peak.
How to find the Queue? – Sometimes it can get a bit blurry, but after enough time in the water, you’ll start to get it. People let the Priority surfer have the next wave coming, then the next one who holds the priority now will go closer to the peak or wait to check for the next coming set. It’s usually a group of surfers waiting next to each other to go on the wave. Many times, it might look like a 45ish angled line of surfers to the peak, sitting and pushing one by one into the waves. Queue accordingly, like at the cafe – Wait for your time to get served.
In a way, sneaking is like overtaking, or not Waiting Your Turn. But this is a bit of an intermediate to advanced concept. Sneaking literally means stealing a wave, but not in an obvious manner. It’s far from dropping in as a sneaky surfer paddle and takes off from the priority position. It’s not really overtaken the priority guy, but he’s definitely not the priority guy either. So who is this guy? The Sneaky Snake! Advanced surfers are usually described as surfers who have a lot of experience in the water, usually have strong stamina, and are in great paddling shape. They can read the waves from a distance, position themselves before you even notice what happens, and boom! The snake dropped the peak with the ‘priority’. Even though you were sure you had that one, now you don’t want to ‘Drop In’ on him? They might be there all the time, waiting in the queue, but when they see it, they’ll quickly sneak up on you and steal your wave.
Simply, don’t be the Sneaky Snake guy!
One of the most important safety concerns. Holding Onto Your Board means keep your board close to you and don’t let it fly around. When you ditch your surfboard, you put others at risk. White water has a lot of energy, and it is enough to imagine what it is like to get hit by a surfboard running fast on those waters. Keep your leash tied to your leg, don’t let go of your surfboard at any time. Always check behind you to see if you might hit others with your board.
How to overcome waves – usually, beginners ditch their boards when they feel fear or a sense of danger (‘big wave coming towards’), leaving the board behind. There are several ways to cross waves, holding the board with you. Use ‘Push Through’, ‘Turtle Roll’, or ‘Duck Dive’. Each method fits different conditions and types of boards being ridden.
Like anywhere else, also in the lineup, humans can talk and communicate. Use this tool to avoid misunderstanding, declare your directions, and call others to move out of your way.
What can I talk about in the water? – Well, anything! But mostly surf-related conversations are most appreciated in the water. Most surfers come to have their own time in the water and not necessarily to make new friends. Yet, basic human communications can release unnecessary tensions and avoid conflicts and injuries. Calling ‘GOING LEFT’ on an A-frame wave can indicate to the surfer next to you that he is open to the right. ‘HEY’ or ‘MY WAVE’ can be called to signal others who attempt to Drop In on you to back off.
Surfers are much like the experts of beach behaviour. They usually spend the most time in the water, usually more than the life guards, and probably will be the closest individuals to most ocean related emergencies. As a surfer you curry the duty as much as the right to help others in need.
How to help others? – Well, as mentioned above, surfers are the ones who are consistently out there. Always carry a floating device (surfboard), and usually have a good understanding of the beach and ocean behaviour. In an emergency, many times surfers will be the first ones to help others in need. It is not obligatory for any surfer to paddle out and rescue. No one ever expects a total beginner to paddle into 6 ft waves to rescue, but if you can, you definitely should help at your right level of confidence. In the end, no one wants you to risk your life to save someone else when most of the chances are that you will be in danger yourself, and someone else would have to pull both of you in, while putting himself at higher risk.
By the time you progress and surf more, you’ll understand more and more the concept of Locals & Localism. As beginner to intermediate surfer you should just remember that locals get respect for a good reason, even though you can’t get it now, and it all sounds like old people’s ego. It’s deeper than just ‘grew up here’. They have a real role in the break. Localism is the way to keep breaks maintainable and not just a zoo of surfers.
How do I respect locals? – It’s pretty much obvious to notice locals. Other surfers will give them the Right of Way – anyway. They know everyone, and everyone knows them. Be respectful and NEVER attempt to Drop In or Sneak locals. If they paddle waves, give them their way, even if you hold the priority. In certain breaks, which are reserved for locals only, you can’t paddle into a wave without permission, or you could even be asked to paddle in, in some cases. Don’t try to break the rule – there are circumstances you don’t want to encounter.
It might feel weird. Yet, Apologising is a really highly valued habit. You acknowledge you have made a mistake and let the other surfer know you didn’t mean to put anyone in danger, steal waves, or distract their way.
When should you apologise? – basically, when you have broken any of Surf Etiquette rules. Get into someone’s way by dropping in, paddling out the wrong way, or dropping a wave without looking down and threatening someone. Basically, you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, creating an obstacle to someone, or just acting silly in a way that distracts others from surfing or puts them in danger.
Maybe the most obvious one, you come visit the ocean and enjoy what he provides you. Waves, scenic views, great connection to nature and beautiful memories. Don’t pay back by trashing it or abuse it. After all, we all want it the way it is. Wild and clean.
Recepting the ocean – my rule is to leave the place more clean then i got it. So if you see any trash, make sure it’s going to the bin. Don’t shout or use loud speakers all over the place, keep it calm and respectful. Don’t abuse any marine life or wild life. It’s their home and you are the visitor. More than that, the ocean is wild! Respect it that you’re limited and powerless compared to it. Don’t try to fight it, don’t go against it and find your comfort zone with the ocean. Don’t push it too much, if you wish to keep also tomorrow engaging.
Don’t forget to have fun. Many times, we get addicted to the tension of surfing, or distracted from what brings all of us back in the water each time, which is that sense of joy we had once, and we’re chasing it again and again.
Surfing is so much fun – The simple fact that you are actually floating there on your board, looking into the horizon where the deep blue line meets the light blue line, infinity is somewhat shaped. The rush the body gets when we ride waves. The mode of your brain gets into, shuts down any other thought. Being right here, right now. The sounds of the waves crushing, the water tickling, the dolphins jumping, the birds diving into the water, and the feel of being alive!
‘THE BEST SURFER IS THE ONE WHO ENJOY THE MOST’
In summary, Surf Etiquette is only to make everyone safe, respectful and happy while surfing. Participating in it will make the surf experience better for everyone. I tried to keep it short and simple. If you have any corrections or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact me at joejehasi@gmail.com
Thank for you time, Yosef.