Surfing Etiquette
33 comments
It's important to observe the correct etiquette while out surfing, otherwise things will just descend in to total chaos. Most of the do's and don'ts here are explained in more details in the articles elsewhere on the site. Do try to stick by these unwritten rules, keep yourself out of trouble, and enjoy your surfing. Also take a look at the surfing rules for related information.
Observe Right of Way
Learn who has the right of way on the wave. Please take a moment and read all about wave priority. For those in a rush, here is the condensed version:
- Furthest out: the surfer that is furthest out or that has been waiting longest
- Furthest inside: the closest surfer to the peak of the breaking wave
- First to feet: the first to feet or first onto the wave
- Communication: the call of "Left!" or "Right!" if the wave is dual-peaking
Don't Drop In
Cutting in front of other surfers who are up and riding is a quick way of getting yourself in trouble with the locals. Observe the right of way and you should be fine.
Don't Snake
Repeatedly paddling round someone to get into the inside position on a wave is a no-no. Where would we all be if everyone did this?
Don't Hog the Waves
Share them around. Even if you can paddle furthest outside and catch the waves first every time you reach the lineup, don't do it. People will quickly get annoyed at this sort of behavior and will simply start dropping in at every opportunity. Again, everything descends into chaos!
Do Apologise
If you drop in on someone, run over someone, or breach the etiquette and rules in any way, just apologise. It's just plain good manners. We've all done things that we shouldn't have when out surfing, saying sorry goes some way to smoothing things over. (Obviously snaking, dropping in, hogging the waves and running everyone over will probably end in a beating, no matter whether you say sorry each time or not.)
Respect the Locals
Keep in mind that the locals surf the spot every day. Give respect and behave while visiting a spot, keep things friendly, earn some respect yourself. Don't mob surf spots in large numbers. Don't rush straight outside, take your time.
Learn the Right Way to Paddling Out
This includes not throwing your board or paddling into the path of other surfers. Take a moment and read up on how to paddle out to the lineup.
Surf Spots that Suit your Ability
Try not to pick a spot that is out of your ability range. You'll only end up upsetting the other surfers by getting in the way or being a potential hazard for everyone.
Help other Surfers
Always aid another surfer in trouble. Surfing can be dangerous and even fatal, look after each other.
Respect the Beach
Leave only footprints. Don't litter, graffiti, vandalise, or otherwise impact the beach or surroundings.
Have Fun
After all that, lets not forget this one.
Do try to stick to these guidelines. The more experienced you become, the more you will come to appreciate the need for everyone to try and stick to this sort of behavior.
As a 25 year Malibu are vet - Do respect the locals! A lot of locals (myself included) will easily accept visiting surfers who practice good etiquette; but bad etiquette can lead to confrontations, bad vibe in the lineup, or even a brawl.
We've come a long way in both etiquette and respect. Today's surfing community are cleared of the general public's discontent. Respect extends out into the community also whereas, we wear our shirts (and thongs) in businesses and establishments. Our social demeanor is being cordial, respectful and honorable. We (the old timers) whom had these qualities "grieved" when "idiots" (we call them show no goes) behaved like sore thumbs. Testosterone was part of it, but ignorance was it's main venue. Surfer's "Rulz" only when we respect the "rules"!
Imua...Bradda from Annada Madda!
Solomon Henriques
Thanks this really helped!!!
New to surfing but standing up and riding waves consistently. Visited my first crowded beach today... Didn't know these rules. Got beat bloody by a group of local Thais without any explanation. You're already at this site, so you're fine. But spread the word. And don't hate ignorance, gently enlighten it please.
What kind of douchebags leave trash on a beach? I don't understand how people can do that, and not have it clouding their conscience.
Hey man, thank you for all the tips. Have just been Learning in Cali and damn, I didn't know any of these things but not one guy even snapped at me. I guess I've been lucky. Anyway, thank you for the tips!
PS. I'm from Sweden, only visiting a handful of times every year DS.
It is only normal to respect the locals and try to blend in. Aggression will get aggression back. If you don't catch waves the first day, try again. Maybe someone will have sympathy and let you catch one. Do your best and earn your respect.
Thanks also a LOT and a LUMP for posting this said set of guides for Surfing Etiquette and for reminding others also that this said set of guides says also to try to leave only print tracks at the beach for others and even for us, too.... And thanks also a LOT and a LUMP for explaining also that this said set of guides also points out REALLY, REALLY clearly that saying sorry helps to make some of the bad feelings disappear REALLY, REALLY very quickly for all for others and even for us, too....
Localism is what keeps surfers and amateurs apart...it is a hidden rule in which people forget, common sence if your a newbie don't go paddle out at your local heavy crowded point break... Find a user friendly beach... Your looking for trouble and possibly an injury if your trying to play with waves that experienced guys should be fiding, start small,think big, gradually tie info your local hot break
thanks i'm just starting to learn and it's great to know this stuff before hand :)
omg!!!
i wish i could surf
Dude any one can surf no matter where u r man
pretty sure you are a great surfer. kudos to this site for creating waves
I like the apologize rule. Sometimes you get caught up in the wave and don't realize that you are dropping in on someone, or you simply didn't see them there. Obviously this behavior should be avoided, but if you are mostly respectful, an apology should suffice if it happens.
You are the only site that talks about Beginner Surfers paddling past to the peak, when they have just had a wave. That's our biggest problem with beginner, long boarders or Sup's. They think they can take every wave. I think this is very importantly and should be stressed on these sites. If you have just had a wave, you can paddle past, but the next set wave is for the surfer who has been waiting longest. Bruce Watney
Then what are you supposed to do if a person (local or visiting) doesn't or refuses to abide by such simple etiquette?
Man this is friggin sound advice. Groms and beginners should print this and stick it t the back of the sh!thouse door! Read it every day.
I don't dislike beginners but imagine a six year old coming on as a sub for your favourite football team... Feel that frustration? Same, so start somewhere chill, build your skill and manners and THEN you are welcome.
Good to see this post. It is much needed in today's lineups (and society in general). Give respect to get respect. Try to observe all the basic rules and if you mess up, make it a point to immediately acknowledge the other person and let them know you recognize what you did. Don't be a wave hog, especially if you have a vehicle that has massive wave catching ability (longboard, SUP, kayak etc...). Get stoked for other people. Instead of snaking or dropping in, yell out a primal 'Yyeeww!!!' Declaring your appreciation for the wave and the fact that someone's about to have a great ride! Then they will be out of the lineup while riding, and hopefully the next one will be yours! Respect and Aloha to All!
ALOHA
Alo - sharing, in the present
Oha - joy
Ha - life energy
Aloha - Joyfully Sharing Life, or the Joyfull Sharing of Life Energy in the Present
Respect and ALOHA to All!!!
I have to say, at my local line up, I wish I could email this to everyone. I don't claim to be everyone's mate out of the water. Simply it is not the visitors that practice bad and selfish etiquette. Local's do deserve priority to a point, but to snake is to snake is to snake. Especially at shallow sucker waves. Whether local or not, and anyone that snakes needs to be reminded why they ought not to again. I've seen backs break as a result of a drop in, a conscious, two fingers to the guy with the right of way, guy with the right of way, 9 months out of the water, lucky to surf again.
I have surfed both Hawaii in my youth and more recently So Cal, up and down. I more or less was raised on a similar set of rules and I have never been made to feel unwelcome at any spot.
Thank you for the insightful post. I learned a lot from it. As someone who is just beginning to surf, it is so wonderful to come across your article. As much a dread as it is to be associated with anybody or community (I loathe it cause then I can't be in my world and deep in thought unless I lock myself in a room), I will do my best to respect and uphold the etiquette and manners.
Localism is the dumbest part of surf culture. No one owns the ocean or the waves and no one was born an expert surfer. Use common sense, play well with others, and put your ego aside.
I like your idea to give respect to the locals who surf your new spot every day. I've never learned to surf but would like to. Maybe I could take some lessons to get into the hobby.
The biggest crime is not dropping in. The problem is the idiots who pretended to be great surfers and hog the waves or snake you all the time.
Why the heck should someone earn respect to surf a spot? Everyone has the same right to surf a wave in order of priority. Is it a fun sport and way to enjoy the nature or a prison where you earn respect in some creepy way?
@guest its not like that malibu is locals who r crazy watch out in malibu its pretty crazy with those locals
I am a 12 year old local born and raised in ventura ca I love surfing and I need a way to inform people good surf etiquette.
Stand up with a slight cower. Smile as you slam into the water get eaten by a shark.
There is 1 rule.. closest surfer to the peak of the breaking wave. split pea is the most complicated situation as you always have some jackass calling you off for his forehand.
your 'furthest out and 1st to feet' is greatly misguided and allows for longboards and paddleboards to hog all the ways. not too mention shortboards can't catch waves as early.
your site here promotes injury.. because I'm going to stick it you and all your dummy listeners. I paddle under long boards all the time.. they get pissed and try to ride around me.. If you really piss me off i'll ride up behind you and push you into your grave. ha
hog all the waives.. all the hogs aren't interested in your post.. their a bunch of inconsiderate jerks.
i'm the nicest guy.. don't get me wrong. I love the company out there...
Wow I didnt actully know most of this, very informitive.
Number one rule! The surfer who is already lined up has PRIORITY!! do not drop in in front of them, and simply get out of there way!!
Surf etiquette is very important. Good surf etiquette creates a good vibe.
I appreciate that you mentioned the right of way rules and communicating "left" or "right" if there are two peaks. I am going to be traveling with my best friend and she suggested we try to go surfing. I would love to take some lessons to learn more about the etiquette and technique of surfing.
Surf etiquette is the first thing that a surf school should teach new students. Surf etiquette creates a good vibe and safety in the water for all.