Wave Priority

Wave priority is all about ensuring peace and tranquility in the surf, and knowing all about surf etiquette. If you read the following information on this page and don't understand it, then go and ask someone else. Keep asking until you know. If you meet a fellow surfer who doesn't know, then tell them! If we all stick to the rules, then we'll all be happy little surfers!

Your Wave or My Wave?

The different types of waves and how they break are described in the next section about peeling waves, so if you don't understand any of the naming go and have a look there. Here we'll concern ourselves with who has the right to be on a wave. Before continuing, we would just say that you should make sure that you're not selfish when you surf. Waves should be shared. The locals who surf a spot every day should not have to fight tooth and nail for every wave against incoming surfers, and locals should let incoming surfers have waves as well. It's all about sharing! However, who has the right-of-way?

Priority on the Wave

Basically, the surfer who is closest to the breaking part of the wave has priority. If a surfer is up and riding a wave, then it's that surfer's wave. This is most easily explained with a diagram. Let's make it into a little quiz. Who has right-of-way? Is it surfer A, B, C, or D?

Wave Priority

If you think surfer A has priority, click answer A
If you think surfer B has priority, click answer B
If you think surfer C has priority, click answer C
If you think surfer D has priority, click answer D
If you think none of the above, cannot be bothered to click, or just don't think, then read on.

Whose Wave is it Anyway?

OK, so it's surfer D. Why? It's because surfer D is closest to the breaking wave. It's as simple as that! If surfer D does not get the wave, then it's up to surfer C and so on. The person who is furthest out and has waited the longest for the wave should be the one to get the wave; he has priority.

If two surfers are going for the same wave and it is not clear who has the inside, then it is down to who is on their feet first. (This is really the only case of first come first served.)

If you're surfing a wave that is peaking with both a left and a right, then communication is the key. If you're going to go left, then let the other guy know. A nice loud "Left!" should get everyone's attention! There is no reason that two people should surf the same wave in this case.

Quick Wave Priority Recap

• Furthest out: the surfer that is furthest out or that has been waiting longest
• Furthest inside: the closest surfer to the peak of the breaking wave
• First to feet: the first to feet or first onto the wave
• Communication: the call of "Left!" or "Right!" if the wave is dual-peaking

Remember to always play nicely kiddies!