What are the rules in surfing, what should you not do regarding riding a wave or any other rules?

Question

i don't want to fights or cause any agression towards surfers, i'm a beginner what rules should i follow and please explain in fully so that i can follow when i surf with people thanx

Answer 1

are you looking for surfing ettiquite? let's see...

1) Don't drop in (catch) on a wave that someone else is riding, unless they are going in the opposite direction.

2) If you are catching a wave at the same time as other people, the person closest to the break of the wave has the right of way and everyone else should pull out.

3) Respect others, and they will be more likely to respect you.

4) Try making friends with other surfers, it's more fun than 2 or more hours of silence and they will be more likely to be nice to you if you s***w up or get in their way.  

5) Realize that there are some surfers that are truly grumpy or mean to everybody that is a beginner / not a local / skin color / etc. and when that happens, don't be too stubborn and go surf somewhere else where it will be more fun.  a friend of my was held underwater by another surfer just because he had fair skin.

6) If in Hawaii, don't make fun of Samoans. really, don't do it.

7) Be confident and have fun.

Answer 2

Well, its certainly nice to see a new surfer willing to respect the lineup and fellow surfers.

1) Its important to take turns when there are crowds and not drop-in or snake other surfers. There's a certain priority of who is supposed to go, when. Of course, surfing with only your friends is different. But in general, defer to your elders. Taking turns is the rule of thumb. If a person passes on a wave, then they are not eligible to catch the next wave. If they make a discernable physical effort to catch a wave and do not, then they are not eligible to catch the next wave. If its your spot, and you're a local, then you have priority over any visitors. Any old timers who've been surfing for a long time (i.e. are generally respected by everyone) have the most priority.

It is important not to drop in on someone or to snake them. The drop-in happens like this: Surfer A is closest to the curl, paddles into and catches the wave, only to find that Surfer B -- the dropper-in -- has also caught the wave, from further out on the shoulder. Surfer A is then blocked from making a successful ride. The two surfers may collide, accidentally or deliberately, but it's unlikely that either will enjoy the wave to its fullest. At some critical surf spots, Surfers A and/or B may even be placed in physical danger as a result. In this example, Surfer A has priority. A more subtle, yet potentially more offensive form of ride interference is the snake. This move is very bad etiquette, a greedy exploitation of the generally understood drop-in rule, and is usually practiced by competent and aggressive surfers. Snaking works like this: Surfer A, in position and having waited his or her turn, begins to paddle for the wave. Surfer B (the snake) waits until A's focus is purely on catching the wave, then makes a quick move to the inside and takes off, claiming the wave. If both surfers end up riding, it appears A has dropped in and is in the wrong, yet both surfers, and usually most onlookers, know otherwise.

At a reefbreak with a consistent set-wave takeoff zone, the ideal situation is for everyone to simply take turns. This is most easily accomplished when the lineup is largely composed of surfers who know each other, but can be achieved at any spot under reasonable crowd conditions. In the classic turn-taking model, an informal "line" of surfers springs into being, with the surfer whose turn it is sitting deepest and in the logical takeoff spot for the wave he or she wants to ride.

Etiquette permits some leeway here. For instance, the best surfer's skills may earn him or her an occasional extra wave, or a wider opportunity to choose the precise wave he or she wants. If surfers are taking turns with set waves and Surfer A drifts down the line out of the primary takeoff zone, the other surfers may choose to allow A to catch some of the smaller waves, but in doing so A will lose rights to really good set waves that break further outside. Remember, in a taking-turns surf environment, it's your responsibility to be in a good position to catch the wave when it's your turn.

At a pointbreak with two or three sections, groups will form at the beginning of each section and take turns as at a reef, with one proviso: if a surfer is riding down from a section up the line and looks likely to make the wave, other surfers should make every effort to permit him or her a clean shot. The most common breach of etiquette here is pre-emptive paddling: Surfer A is hurtling down the line from a long way back, and Surfer B - figuring A won't make the section - begins to paddle into the wave. As A approaches, B pulls back, but his paddling efforts cause the wave to crumble and break down in front of A. Result: A wipes out or is caught behind, and the wave peels off unridden. Bad move, B.

Point and reef break etiquette can begin to break down if one or more surfers are taking off too deep and out of position, thus wasting the sections and forcing other surfers who are waiting in line to watch wave go unridden. This almost always leads to dropping in, and at the least it'll lead to pre-emptive paddling, as surfers begin to anticipate each other's failures and chase each other's waves from the shoulder.

Beachbreaks tend to feature a shifting wave environment. The takeoff zones - plural, not singular - are spread out, with more waves for everyone. This can break a beach up into several different mini-spots, each with its own turn-taking routine in place. If you're surfing one mini-spot at a beachbreak, keep in mind that if you move to another mini-spot on the same beach, you're entering another mini-society, and should be prepared to go to the end of the wave-sharing line.

Beachbreaks, along with some reef breaks, also lead to the need for peak etiquette. If you are in position for a really good two-way peak with another surfer, you should choose to split the peak - that is, you go one way off the peak, he or she goes the other. In splitting the peak, communication is the key. You might both prefer to go the opposite way, or one of you might want to be sure he or she isn't about to commit a drop-in. The only way you'll find out is to ask each other- and then make the choice quickly! If there are simply too many surfers to keep track of turns and what not, the best rule left standing is the don't drop in rule.

2) Aid a fellow surfer in trouble. Okay, not always, I suggest you use the same guidelines as on a boat. Two surfers in trouble is worse than one. but, if you can help, you should. The physical safety of your fellow surfer should be a paramount concern, overriding any disputes or bad feelings that may already have occurred between you. In a place as unforgiving and harsh as the ocean can be, and in locales where outside help may not be readily available, sometimes the only thing we can rely on is each other. Therefore, as a beginner, its suggested you don't surf alone.

3) When travelling, respect the local surfers. They have priority on waves and can definately be aggresive toward outsiders. Wait before you paddle out at least an hour, take some mental notes on the ways they surf. If you're with a large group of people, go out in pairs and pretend not to know each other; locals get very annoyed at outside crowds crashing their spot.

4) Be careful of yourself and your board. Never throw your board in a crowded spot, because it may do a lot of damage to others. If you damage someone else's board, make good by arranging some way to get it fixed or make amends in a way agreeable to both of you.

Surfing can be complicated, but it should also be fun. The easiest thing to do is watch others at a spot, or paddle out and just view what goes on. Thanks for taking the time to ask, though, its a nice change.

Also, when you s***w up, eat s**+* like going over the falls, just laugh it off. I'd be much nicer to a guy who can laugh at his mistakes than a dude who just gets angry.

Answer 3

first and foremost, don't cut people off!! that will p**s people off even if you didn't mean to. i usually let it slide unless the same guy does it more than once but some other guys who've been out in the water for 3 hours+ will get d**n pissed. Here's a good guide to surf courtesy

http://sunsetsurf.com/unwritten.asp

Answer 4

First off, I recommend that since you are a beginner, you practice at a beach that isn't very crowded so you won't look dumb and get a bad reputation in the water, and your board won't hit other surfers while you're learning.

After you've mastered the basics (standing up, staying on the board, and riding the wave)  and you know how to paddle to get over and under waves, then you're ready to head out into the lineup.

The first rule is to always wait your turn. When you paddle out into the lineup (the group of surfers sitting on the outside just past where the waves are breaking) never paddle directly out straight from the beach to the surfers, because then, if any of them take off on a wave, you may get in their way. So, walk a little bit down the beach, and then paddle out, diagonally, towards the lineup.

Now, once you're in the lineup, you wait for a set (a group of waves) to come through. Make sure that you wait your turn though, for instance, you take a wave, then paddle back out and let another surfer take a wave, ect. NOBODY LIKES A WAVE-HOG. Remember to give other surfers a turn at riding the waves.

Another basic of surf ettiquite is that the surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave always has the right-of-way.

so, if you were the X

and the other surfer was the O

and the wave where it was breaking was this: -----

then in a scenario like this,

X   O -----

surfer  O would get the wave, and you would have to back out and let them have it.

however,  if you were here:

X---O

then you could both take the wave and go opposite ways.

If you take the wave even though the other surfer has the right-of-way, that is called 'cutting someone off'

Every surfer has to admit that once or twice they have accidentally 'cut someone off'.  Even though it does make many surfers angry when they are cut off, usually if you paddle up and say you're sorry for cutting them off, even if it was an accident, then there'll be no bad feelings.

Good luck, and have FUN!

Answer 5

well.. make sure that if your not a local, you atleast act like one. we hate tourist that get in the way.

Answer 6

make sure you bend your knees and use your arms and hips for balance.  It's like wakeboarding or snowboarding.  Most of all just surf where no one is around so you don't look stupid or end up hurting someone when you fly off your board. :)

Answer 7

try to go to@a beach semi un crowded

or go like at dusk when nobodies really there.

and once you get comfortable surfing start in the white water.

when you start getting comfy then start going for the green waves.

don't snake;drop in that means don't take anyones waves.

mhm respect the locals

good luckkk!

Answer 8

I think Chris and Sonny got it right.  The only thing I would ad is this: surf at spots where there are beginners.  All spots are not made the same, so make sure that there is a spot to be out of the way (or other beginners in the water) before getting in.  I surf a good wave with aggressive and good surfers as my local spot.  It is no place for beginners as there is nowhere along the wave for them to actually be OUT of the way and no way for them to actually GET a wave for themselves without snaking.  This has caused a few problems in the past.  So be aware of what you're heading out into as well as your ability level and don't put yourself where you don't belong.

Answer 9

yeah seriously surfers can get pretty hostile! This one guy slashed this guys tires cuz he dropped in on him!

http://www.surfing-waves.com/basic_rules...

http://www.leucadiasurfschool.com/Surf_E...

these websites clear everything up! Also before you paddle out go out on to the boardwalk if ones is near and watch how the other surfers do.

Answer 10

http://www.nesurf.com/Articles/Etiquette...

The link will take you to a good surf etiquette web site. Learn these 'rules' and abide by them, and you will be welcomed in the water. remember, while you are learning, the best thing you can do is STAY AWAY from more experienced surfers. Lessons are the best way to get started, unless you are an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf, and who can teach you how.

Respect the ocean. She is vast and great and powerful, and very unforgiving or people who fail to respect her. Respect the beach. Litter goes in trash cans, not on the sand. Treat other surfers with respect, and be mindful of the sensibilities of non-surfing locals.

Answer 11

1- Most important rule, don't drop in. If someone else is on the wave or has position on you, let it go. Basically out of all the f-ups, this is the worst, and the only fights i've seen at the beach were ALL because of drop-ins. Right of way is given to whoever is catching the wave further back, or closer to the peak if 2 surfers are the same distance from the wave. If you drop in by accident (for example, say you catch the wave thinking the guy was going left, but went right instead toward you), get off the wave. If you do this, you'll most likely get the benefit of the doubt and they won't sweat it.

2- Use the channels, stay out of the way of other surfers. Two benefits to this. #1 it's tiring to constantly duck waves/white water by paddling straight into the break. Especially in bigger surf it's a sure way to get gassed out really quick. #2 if you're in the impact zone, you're likely to get in the way of other surfers, which isn't good. Collisions in the water are one of the biggest cause of injuries/cuts in the water. If the break you're surfing at has a channel to use, use it. You'll be out of the way of other surfers and will spend much less energy not having to duck every wave that comes through, even if in some cases you paddle a farther distance.

3- Be friendly to the crowd. Chances are if they don't like you/don't know you, the regulars could do d**k moves such as boxing you off so you never catch anything. In my experience, if the crowd are your friends, or if you're on cool terms with the crowd, they'll even let some waves pass for you to catch. That and if you **** up, you won't catch a beatdown if they even semi-like you. Win-win situation.

And don't worry about being a beginner, most people don't sweat them (unless they're total jerkoffs). If a beginner gets in my way, I just shrug it off. I get upset when an experienced guy who knows what he's doing, gets in my way knowing I was already on the wave. Beginners get it pretty good actually :)

Also, try to choose a location that is not too crowded. Although the wave quality may not be as good, you'll improve faster as you get more 'reps'. When you get good enough to compete with the local crowd or just handle your own at a more experienced break, then move on.

Answer 12

first of all, go in the surfing not swimming zone so the lifeguards don't get mad at u

start on the inside until u get good and then go 2 the outside when u fell really confident

let the people who were waiting on the outside for longer go first, cuz if u just got out there and took a wave from someone whose been waiting for a while theyre gonna get pissed