Surfing Etiquette

Summer is rapidly approaching and many coastal beaches are gearing up for the usual influx of surfers. Even though surfing is an individual sport, there are general safety and etiquette guidelines that all surfers, regardless of ability or experience, should follow.

The ocean is a wonderful gift for all to enjoy in a safe and respectful manner. The following guidelines and suggestions are intended as a basic reference of common courtesies that should be applied to respecting the beach your surfing at and other individuals you’re sharing the water with.

• Please drive slowly and cautiously through the coastal towns you’re surfing at. Summer brings many small children to the beach; watch out for them as they may be too excited to pay attention to vehicles.
• Respect the environment: please dispose of all of your trash properly and don’t litter on the beach or parking areas. Use restroom facilities or portable johns that are provided by most beaches.
• Respect the locals if you’re visiting an out of town beach. Please remember that you are a guest and that waves should be shared with other surfers. It only takes a few knuckleheads to make the entire surfing community look bad.
• Surfing under the influence of alcohol is NEVER a good idea. You not only put yourself at risk, but other surfers and swimmers as well. Save the drinking for a bragging session at a local pub when you’ve finished surfing for the day.
• As with swimming, you should not surf for at least 45 minutes after a meal.
• If you’re not wearing a wetsuit, you should always wear a good waterproof sunblock with a high SPF number.
• Always wear a leash. Besides being a law at many beaches, wearing a leash helps prevent your board from becoming a hazard to others in the water.
• You should always surf with at least one other person. Besides being more fun, it’s much safer if you get into trouble in the water.
• You should always make sure the surf conditions are safe before you enter the water. Local surf cams provide updated weather and surf conditions. If those aren’t available and you’re unfamiliar with the beach, ask advice from a local or a lifeguard.
• Right of Way: As in driving a car, surfing requires rules to be followed to ensure both fun and safety. “Dropping-in” on another surfer is not only rude, but potentially dangerous to yourself and other surfers. To avoid dropping-in, surfers should practice the three L’s of surfing: Look, Listen, and Learn.  Always look to your inside to make sure nobody is already there before committing to a wave. Always listen for a yell or a whistle from a surfer already in position. Always learn from your mistakes. If you accidentally drop-in on another surfer, leave the wave as soon as possible and apologize. The best way to determine right of way is this rule of thumb: the closest surfer to the curl of the wave has the right of way.
• “Snaking” is a gross breach of surfer etiquette. Snaking is different from dropping-in because it is rarely accidental. Snaking is caused by a surfer who aggressively positions themselves in front of another surfer who otherwise would be in position to catch the wave.
• When paddling out, recognize it is your obligation to avoid a surfer on a wave. Avoid paddling directly into the area the waves are breaking.
• Call out left or right to let other surfers know which direction you will turn as you drop-in.
• Never abandon your surfboard with other surfers or swimmers in the area. Your unattended board could cause serious injury to others.

By following these simple and mostly common sense rules, you will help to make your surfing experience both more enjoyable and safer.