A simple 3 Step Surf Etiquette Guide

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Srinivas Rao

With so many surfers in the water today, how do you get through the crowd to catch a wave? Well, here are 3 main rules that will help you enjoy the day and prevent you from getting your butt kicked.

1. Where to paddle

You’ve been waiting for 15 minutes and you finally see a wave coming right for you. As soon as you turn to paddle to catch the wave, some idiot is paddling in directly behind you, blocking your way.

Don’t be a dick, when you paddle in, head towards the dead areas where there aren’t any of your fellow surfers waiting to catch a break. If the beach is packed, then find an area thats not as busy to paddle in. Once you’re out with the other surfers, paddle to the area where you can wait in the line-up

2. Respect the Line-up

You see the line of surfers waiting for a wave? Thats the line-up, respect it. When you paddle in, don’t just head straight towards the break, cutting off the surfers that have been patiently waiting. Let them catch this one, and then fill in the hole they leave when they catch the wave.

3. Catch the wave

First one to stand gets the wave. No exception.
However, if you and another surfer stand at the same time, its usually best to go straight or yell what direction your going before you stand.

This post was written by surfing buddy Will Sweat. If you’re interested in contributing surfing life lessons, reviews of gear and boards, or anything surf related, shoot me an email at srinirao@gmail.com