Position in the Lineup

Your position in the lineup is important, especially if you want to make it as easy as possible to catch waves without continuously having to duck dive. You'll get a good feel for the best position to be in as your surfing experience increases. You can take your prompt from other surfers in the water while you learn.

The picture below shows the ideal position a surfer needs to be in to catch waves. X marks the spot! This position just outside the breaking waves will give you a chance to recover from the paddle out (especially all you smokers out there!) and also will give you plenty of time to sit up and wait for a really good wave.

Ideal Position in the Lineup

Paddling Out Position

It's easier to paddle through unbroken water than slog your way out through walls and walls of white water. So before you start paddling out, take a good look at where you need to be in the lineup and determine the easiest way to get there. Think it through - what is the best way out? Can I use a rip to help me out? Which route will not put me in the path of incoming surfers? Use your common sense. The picture below shows the obvious route out to the lineup. It's always handy if the spot you are surfing is free of crowds and the waves are breaking in the same spot all the time. (What an ideal world!) Each surf break differs from the next, and each day at a surf break may yield different peaks from the day before, but that is one of the joys of surfing.

Ideal Paddle Out Route

If you take the above route, you should have a nice leisurely paddle out without the need to duck dive waves while avoiding incoming surfers. From the picture you can see that a surfer sitting at the end of the red line at the top right will be just outside the breaking waves.

One thing to be aware of is that you will not always be able to paddle out in the nice unbroken waves. If you are surfing in and come off your board, you may be stuck in the impact zone - known as being caught inside. If this happens, then you should make your way back out to the lineup through the whitewater, and not in the path of other surfers who will be coming in on waves. It is your responsibility when paddling out to keep out of the way of incoming riders.

Next up is the last section on positioning, how to position yourself on the wave. Read this and then you'll be set to cruise!