Surf Etiquette

Surfing etiquette is a little trickier than learning to set a table properly. For starters, there are many 'unwritten rules' that a novice may not know. Here's how to play fair in the water...

Left-handers and right-handers: I'm so confused!

When a surfer refers to these, keep in mind that we judge left and right when we are out the back, paddling for a wave in towards shore (so for the person watching on the beach, left looks like right, and vice versa).

A right hander breaks from left to right. The whitewash (broken wave) will go in this direction. A left hander breaks from right to left.

What is 'dropping in'?

'Dropping in' entails getting in front of someone else riding the wave and potentially ending their fun and causing injury. In a contest you will get penalized or possibly disqualified for this. It's also about the most offensive thing you can do to another surfer. See the next question on how to avoid doing this to your fellow surfers.

Who has the 'right of way' on a wave?

It really does depend on the crowd you surf with. Keep in mind that friends will often jump on each others' waves for fun. This doesn't mean that you should do it in a pack of surfers you don't know well. Unless someone calls 'party wave' or 'all aboard' don't paddle for it. Also, and I can't stress this enough, don't even think about jumping on a wave with someone else unless you can ride across it and stay out of their way with ease.

There have been many different ways used to determine who has right of way on a wave.

Back in the day, there was a 'first one standing' rule. However, this could be abused by longboard riders, as they can get on the wave earlier, before it begins to peak.

Another rule is that surfers should take turns. It's easy to get excited and want to catch everything, but remember that there are plenty of waves and therefore, everyone should get a turn. Sometimes there will be what is known as a 'line up', where the surfer at the top of a pack will catch a wave in, then the next person will go, and so on. But people fall off, or miss waves, so be aware of that and make sure everyone is getting a few before you go for your next.

There is one constant rule, and this is enforced in competitive surfing. The surfer that is 'closest to the curl' has possession and right of way. By curl we mean the breaking part of the wave.

Say we have two surfers sitting out there, facing towards shore and waiting for a wave. Layne Beachley is on the right, Kelly Slater on the left... So if it's a left hander, and breaking from right to left, the surfer on the right (Layne) has possession of the wave. She's closest to the breaking part. And, likewise, if it's a right hander, breaking from right to left, Kelly has every right to proceed to tear it up.

In conclusion, use your common sense and discretion, and don't be afraid to ask others for their advice.

When you're paddling out, and a surfer is heading straight for you, what do you do?

For starters it's best to try and paddle back out via the rip (channel to the side of where the waves are breaking). This will take you back out without punching through stacks of white wash. It also ensures that you are out of the way of the incoming surfers. However, I totally understand that there are moments when there's not a lot you can do! They're coming straight at you, and you don't have a lot of time. Etiquette wise, if they are catching a green wave and going across the face, always paddle towards the white wash (broken wave) so you don't shut down their ride.

If a collision is unavoidable, don't roll your board over. The other board will run over it, and this is how a lot of dings are caused (not to mention, quite a few fights). Your board has less impact to hurt someone without your weight attached to it. So jump off it and dive under, being careful to grab your leg rope so you don't hit them again. Once you come up, apologise to the person for getting in their way. Acknowledging you were in the wrong diffuses a lot of tense situations. And try your best not to do it again.


Article by Kristen Veltmeyer
(contact COTW for Kristen's contact details)

CHOOSING A BOARD
YOUR FIRST SURF
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREAK FOR YOU
COMPETITION SURFING
ETIQUETTE
NUTRITION FOR SURFERS