The Basic Guide to Surf Etiquette

Surf etiquette is the set of rules that describe what to do and what not to do in the water. They are a must-know for any person interested in learning to surf because they ensure safety and respect in the line-up and are universal for all surf breaks. If you don't follow these basic laws of the waves, it is a sign of disrespect, and you can expect to get told off by more experienced surfers. Here is a quick guide to surf etiquette.

Surf Etiquette

1. Right of Way

The first thing to understand is that in surfing, the general rule says there is only one surfer on a wave at a given time. The exception is if there is a possibility to go both right and left, but we will cover that later. Right of way decides which surfer gets to ride the wave. The surfer who is the farthest out and closest to the peak of the wave has first priority. If you are paddling for a wave, and notice the person with priority catches it, make sure to pull off and let them enjoy.

It is a BIG no-no to DROP-IN to a wave in front of the person with priority or someone who is already riding the wave. Expect to get yelled at or at least a dirty look by locals or more experienced surfers. Understanding right of way shows and earns respect in the line-up.

2. Don’t Snake People

Snaking people, otherwise known as paddling around another surfer to gain the priority position is highly frowned upon. You can move around in the lineup but don’t last-minute paddle to cut off a surfer and catch a wave.

3. Paddle Wide and Don’t Get in the Way

When a surfer is on a wave, you want to give them as much space as possible to avoid collisions and let them enjoy their ride. The easiest way to do this is by “paddling wide” or paddling around the impact zone where the waves are crashing. Even though this is not the most direct route back to the line-up, taking the roundabout path keeps you out of the impact zone and leaves plenty of room for other surfers.

If you are paddling back and are not able to paddle around the wave a surfer is riding, make sure to pick the track of least interference. In some cases, this requires paddling into the whitewash.

Surf Etiquette

4. DO NOT Throw or Ditch your Board

As fun and cool as surfboards are, they are solid, hard weapons that hurt a whole lot when they hit you. If you throw or ditch your board, you're putting other surfers in danger of getting hit. One of the scariest things to see is a 9 ft log flying towards your face. To prevent human and board damage, try your hardest to grab onto your board when you fall or are going under a wave, and always wear a leash.

5. Communicate

Communication eliminates confusion. One of the most common circumstances is when you are taking off on an A-frame, meaning there is both a right and left ridable wave. Ask the person you are paddling next to if they are going right or left, and then either pull out if they are going the same direction and have priority or take the wave in the other direction.

6. Give Respect to Gain Respect

Respect plays a huge role in surfing. As surfers, we enter the water, and there will always be someone who is a long-time local or has more experience than us. By showing respect through following the above rules and being friendly, you will in turn earn respect.

7. Take care of the ocean and beach

The ocean is our playground, so we need to make sure we take care of it. Some ways to be a conscious surfer is if you bring trash or find trash, pick it up and pack it out to dispose of it properly. Use reef-safe sunscreen and be wary of the sea life you may encounter. Our coastlines are fragile, and it's beyond important to be the best steward possible. If you want to learn how to go above and beyond, check out our partners at Sea Trees who work to restore coastal ecosystems and sequester carbon in the process.

Now that you know the basic rules of Surf Etiquette, it’s time to hit the waves. Remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching.