Surf etiquette question

by **bomber35** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:45 pm

Hey all, I have a question regarding the "unwritten rules" of surfing. Here's the story behind the question.

Last week I was out on a fairly light day and was just trying to catch any wave I could. My experience level is low, so I usually try to keep an eye on the more experienced people in the line up and let them get first choice on a set of swells. I usually try to pick up the waves that aren't being "fought" after. Anyways, I was paddling to catch this wave and I noticed one other person trying as well. Well, we both ended up catching it apparently and this person proceeded to bitch me out because I was "supposed to let the person closest to the break" take the ride. First off, I haven't heard this before. Secondly, I don't have eyes in the back of my head and therefore had no idea they were even there. To add insult to injury, the person decided to point out that "it's obvious I'm just learning" and that "I'm lucky it wasn't someone more aggressive, otherwise I would have been in a fight."

So, my question is, was I wrong? If so, what do I do to correct it.

Also, let me toss this question as well. I surf goofy foot and therefore find it a little easier to catch waves that are breaking to my right. Does this mean I should stay off waves that break to the left until I get a bit better?

**Sponsor**

by **garbarrage** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:34 pm

No... it means you should look towards the peak before taking off. It's not an unwritten rule, its written everywhere. It's rule number one when surfing, Guy closest to the peak has priority, end of story. Sounds like the guy put you straight, maybe a bit harshly, but at least now you know.

by **drowningbitbybit** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:51 pm

^^^ What he said.

by **surf patrol** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 7:45 am

Does this mean I should stay off waves that break to the left until I get a bit better

No reason why you should put off practising on them now.

by **jaffa1949** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 10:30 am

bomber35 wrote:Hey all, I have a question regarding the "unwritten rules" of surfing. Here's the story behind the question.

Last week I was out on a fairly light day and was just trying to catch any wave I could. My experience level is low, so I usually try to keep an eye on the more experienced people in the line up and let them get first choice on a set of swells. I usually try to pick up the waves that aren't being "fought" after. Anyways, I was paddling to catch this wave and I noticed one other person trying as well. Well, we both ended up catching it apparently and this person proceeded to bitch me out because I was "supposed to let the person closest to the break" take the ride. First off, I haven't heard this before. Secondly, I don't have eyes in the back of my head and therefore had no idea they were even there. To add insult to injury, the person decided to point out that "it's obvious I'm just learning" and that "I'm lucky it wasn't someone more aggressive, otherwise I would have been in a fight."

So, my question is, was I wrong? If so, what do I do to correct it.

Also, let me toss this question as well. I surf goofy foot and therefore find it a little easier to catch waves that are breaking to my right. Does this mean I should stay off waves that break to the left until I get a bit better?

The unwritten rules have been written numerous times even on this very site
http://www.surfing-waves.com/surfing-etiquette.htm
try also
http://www.surfrider.org.au/2010/01/the-surfers-code/ it has pictures to help.

BTW The Surfrider Foundation where ever it is, is a valuable member of the surfing community take a little time to read from their site, I recommend it.

by **Katsura** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:02 am

Wow! You are totally in the wrong dude.

When you are paddling for a wave, you should already be aware if anyone closer to the peak is also paddling for it - it doesn't necessarily mean you should stop because they may miss the wave OR the wave could pitch up and it comes too deep for them.

But if you do decide to paddle for ANY wave then you should be constantly aware if there's someone else to your left if you are taking off tot he right and vice versa. Especially just beofre you decide to commit to a pop up.

by **bomber35** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:52 am

Thanks for the replies! Since I first posted this, I haven't had any other issues, but I am still learning nonetheless! I appreciate to link to the etiquette section as well! In retrospect, I think what happened in this particular situation is more clear to me now with a few more weeks under my belt (and about 30 more hours of surfing time! ). Anyways, basically I was wrong by not checking towards the peak in this case.

by **jaffa1949** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:31 am

Bomber, good to see you are learning, hope the enjoyment factor is right up there too

by **bomber35** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:19 pm

jaffa1949 wrote:Bomber, good to see you are learning, hope the enjoyment factor is right up there too

Definitely! Got my pop up down, working on my bottom turn and just trying to keep that speed up. Seems my bottom turn is causing me to slow down too much and the wave passes or I get stuck in the mush. I have since learned that speed increases a bit of relative stability, and maintaining the former is a bit tricky right now.

by **Katsura** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:28 am

Try angle slightly in the direction the wave is breaking. Will help your dialemma.

Surf etiquette question

Similar topics