Surf etiquette is a large part of the surfing lifestyle. The way we all act and treat each other, in the water and on the waves, has the ability and potential to impact the vibes of the entire line up. It is a massive element in surfing culture that surprisingly, isn’t always taught. 

Of course it can be hard to keep any sort of order when surfing super busy spots. But when possible, we should always try to respect one another.

Proper etiquette and understanding the surfing code of conduct can improve your experience in the water by creating a space that is considerate, fun and integrated. 

From the minute you rock up on the beach, there are a few things to keep in mind; 

1.    Be patient and observe the line up hierarchy. Meaning; the surfer sitting the farthest out has most likely been waiting the longest, and therefore has priority when they decide to paddle for waves. This priority moves down the line as people sit closer to the peak or on the shoulders of the wave. If someone who has been waiting longer than you begins to paddle for a wave, they have the right of way to catch the wave before you do. 

2.    Honour the rotation. Paddling and scrambling for every wave will create an air of frustration for yourself, and for everyone surrounding you. Generally speaking, giving respect to others in the rotation, should allow you to receive respect as well when it’s your turn to catch a wave. 

3.    Don’t snake and don’t drop in. If a surfer who has priority is paddling for a wave, don’t try to catch the wave deeper than them (on their inside). If you’re on their outside (towards the peak or shoulder), don’t catch the wave if they’re already riding it. Drop ins are extremely rude and dangerous. 

4.    Communicate clearly. Call the direction you’re going in if you’re surfing an a-frame, and call a wave if you have priority and you want the wave. Communicating in the line up can prevent confusion and create a smoother rotation. 

5.    Paddle widely and wisely. When paddling back to the line up, avoid paddling directly into the wave so as not to interfere with others surfing - try to paddle around the wave. If you’re surfing a reef or point break, there’s usually a rip current that will carry you around the wave and back out to the line up. Observing this current before you enter the water will help you save energy and stay safe of collisions. When caught in the impact zone in the path of another surfer, paddle at a steady pace towards the foam - a good surfer will be able to time their manoeuvres to avoid you as long as you don’t do something random in the last minute. 

6.    Having said that, it is always safety first. It is imperative that you try not to ditch your board. In a situation as described above, or any other time. Keeping your board with you whilst duck-diving heavy sets can be beneficial as you float to the surface faster, and don’t waste time trying to climb back on your board before duck-diving another set wave. Ditching your board can also lead to snapped leashes, snapped boards, and accidents with other surfers. Surfing can be a dangerous sport and so it is vital to always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t catch a wave if there’s someone in the way, and you are not 1,000% confident that you will be able to avoid them. It’s better to be safe than sorry! 

7.    Surf spots that suit your ability. It’s wonderful to push yourself to improve, but it’s also vital to know your limits and be safety conscious. Being out when the waves are too big can potentially be a safety hazard for yourself, and for other surfers. Having said that, don’t hesitate to help other surfers and point this out, if you see someone really struggling and out of their depth. Look out for each other in the surf.

8.    Respect the locals and their priority! We all know that localism can be brutal in some places, however as we’ve said above, being friendly, culturally conscious, spreading positivity, and giving respect is about the only way to gain respect, and integrate into the local surfing community wherever you are. 

9.    There’s no shame in saying sorry. Don’t be afraid to apologise if you’ve made a mistake. We’ve all done it. Even the best surfers make mistakes. It is only right to apologise for them afterwards to maintain a civil and compassionate space. 

10.    Show your love for the sea and land. Don’t litter, use reusable appliances, and try to pick up trash when you see it floating about or washed up on the shores. No one wants to be surfing in a sea of rubbish, and so we can all do our part to help prevent that future. 

11.    And finally, don’t forget to smile! We’re all out there to catch waves and have fun, remember?

Written by Kayli Wouters

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