Surf Etiquette: 7 Rules You Need to Know

Learn the rules of the road before you set foot in the surf: the waves will be safer, chaos will be avoided and the surf equilibrium will go unscathed. Surf etiquette is actually pretty straightforward – just remember these 7 rules and you won't have a problem...

Rule 1
Obey Right of Way

Nobody likes a selfish surfer, not least one who steals waves!

The surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave (it's peak) has right of way. This will be the surfer who is furthest out and waited longest - if a surfer is up and riding a wave then they have priority.

If there are two surfers going for the same wave and it's not clear who has the inside (closest to the breaking peak of the wave), the surfer on their feet first gets priority. We stress though this is ONLY case of first come first served!

When there are two of you and a wave is dual-peaking (breaking to the left and the right) there's no reason why you can't both ride it. Here communication is key: let the other surfer know – a loud shout out works well – what direction you're headed in, so they can take the other break.

Rule 2
Don't Drop In

This one is all about obeying right of way (as above). Dropping in and cutting in front of surfers who are up and riding or about to take off is simply not on. Other surfers won't thank you for blocking their ride down the line. As well as being incredibly rude and selfish, dropping in can also be extremely dangerous for all parties. This is the most important rule of surfing etiquette – don't do it.

Rule 3
Don't Snake

By ‘snaking' we mean paddling around another surfer in order to position yourself so that you get the right of way. Snaking is sneaky and it's definitely not on. Snaking makes you a wave hog as well as a snake and nobody likes the snake plus pig combo. Be patient and wait your turn. Good karma shall follow.

Rule 4
Don't Ditch

This is the hardest surf etiquette rule for beginners, but it's an important one and it pays to observe it from day one – you'll be a much better surfer for it. Promise. With surfboards being big, heavy, hard beasts (ahem!) you need to be in control and in contact with your board at all times. Let your board going flying around and soon or later it'll hit someone on the head: there'll be carnage and it'll be your fault. Hold tight.

Rule 5
Paddle Out Wide

Don't paddle close to, or worse still directly into, the breaking line of waves on the way to the takeoff zone. Doing this ruins the waves for those catching them and it also put you in danger as not everyone catching waves will have the skills required to avoid you and your board. Paddle out wide of the break and you'll have no problems.

Rule 6
Respect the Lineup

The lineup is the hierarchy of the surfers at a break. If you're a beginner, or new to the spot; you're at the bottom. Sorry. Don't go for every single wave, this is called hogging, especially if you see other surfers higher up the pecking order are going for the same ones. You will get a look in though – the more experienced surfers should make sure of that and will give respect for not ruining their flow.

Rule 7
Know your limits

If the waves are big and you aren't ready for it, don't surf. The same goes for spots – pick places (and conditions) that match your surfing ability. Ignoring this rule puts everyone in the water in danger – it's not us being old and boring. If you mess up and accidentally break one of the earlier mentioned rules, make sure you apologise!

Learn the rules then enjoy the waves. See you out there!

Main image credit: Joschko Hammermann