Surfing etiquette

So called "surfing etiquette" is a set of rules that everybody who surfs needs to know and keep in mind while in the water. Even though surfing is a very relaxed and free sport, there are some rules that are necessary to follow because of three simple reasons: you as a surfer want to be safe, you also don't want to endanger other surfers in the water and you want to be respectful towards others.

In this article, we will present you with 12 basic rules that are an absolute must, when you are surfing.

1. The surfer who is closest to the peak (the highest point of the wave, from this point the wave starts to break) has the priority to catch the wave over other surfers in the lineup.

2. The surfer who is further in the sea (further from the shore) gets the priority to catch the wave even if other surfers are closer to the peak. This rule is an exception for the first rule.

3. Do not "hog" the waves. In translation, this means that people which are trying to catch every single wave can be considered hogs. Let other people catch the waves too, you do not need to go for every single one of them.

4. Don't snake. "Snaking" means paddling around other surfers in the water to get to the best possible position in the lineup (peak), so do not be a snake and find a good suitable position for you to catch nice waves. Snaking is very impolite.

5. Don't drop into the wave when other surfer has caught the wave. Dropping into the wave means simply jumping into it when you did not manage to catch the wave on time and you stay on the peak of the wave and decide to jump into it anyway. This is very disrespectful since you are "stealing" the wave from somebody else and getting into their way.

6. Communicate. This point relates to the situation when a wave opens up to both sides and creates two shoulders. In this case, there can be two people riding the wave but they always have to communicate before in order to agree, which direction they are taking to prevent any collusion.

7. Don't get in the way & Use a channel if there is one to get to the lineup. Be careful where and when do you enter the water and which way you choose to get into the lineup. Getting into the way can be very dangerous to you and to other surfers. Channel is the best possible way to get to the line up without interrupting other surfers and hindering.

8. Don't throw away or leave your board while in the water. Try to always look for your board and control it. Always wearing a leash is the first step to do it. Not having control over your board can be dangerous for you and for others since they are very hard, heavy and big.

9. Protect yourself and other people in the water. This means protecting your head when falling, not diving head first, not taking off if there is a chance that you could hurt somebody (it's better to wait and be patient than hurting somebody), and learn to fall off the board (there are certain ways of falling from the board).

10. Respect the locals and interact nicely and politely with everybody in the water.

11. Last but definitely not least - Respect the beach and the ocean by not throwing any waste into the ocean or on the beach and if you see some there, take it and put it into the garbage container.

We hope that this article has helped you at least in some way and informed you,

and do not forget - be safe, don't endanger others and be respectful! :)