Girls and get away with a heck of a lot more than the boys out there simply
by being so darn cute! But it pays to be neighborly and know the rules of
surfing. Check out the following often unspoken rules and etiquette so us
surfers, especially beginners, can keep our squeaky clean image in and out
of the water.

Don’t drop in. The person furthest out from shore and closest to where the
wave is breaking has the right of way. If you are further out on the
shoulder and the person on the inside is catching the wave, pull back. As a
beginner, pretty much consider anyone up on a wave having priority over you.

Queue up. At point or reef breaks where there is a centralized take-off area
there is an unofficial line. Kind of like Disneyland, wait for those who
were there before you to go, then it is your turn. Once you have taken a
wave, or even attempted a ride, give those closer to the peak a chance. Let
a couple waves go by before you try again. Hopefully, they will do the same
for you.

Paddle straight out at a beach break, avoiding the peak of the wave and the
take off zones. This is easier said then done, since the take-off spot at a
beach can shift around. This also means you may have to paddle out through
the white water rather than the unbroken sections. If a surfer is coming
down the line as you are paddling out try to gauge your speed and paddle
behind them. At a point or reef, try to paddle around the break.

Location. Location. Location. Stick to spots that support your ability level
(i.e. beginners, don’t paddle out at Pipe). Surfing at spots that are too
difficult put you in danger as well as those around you. That being said,
more advanced surfers shouldn’t get pissy with those trying to learn at
well-known beginner breaks.

Don’t ditch your board. When you are turtling or duck diving hold tightly
onto your board. Don’t just let it go haphazardly with the wave as you will
knock out surfers behind you. Remember you have a ring of destruction around
you equal to the length of your leash! If you can’t hold on – let’s be
honest sometimes the wave will rip the board out of your hands – try and
yell “Board!”

Beginners are invisible. When more advanced surfers see beginners flailing
around looking like they don’t have it all under control yet, they will
ignore you. Thankfully they will avoid you, but they will also ignore you.
Meaning, they will take off when you are going for a wave assuming that you
are unable to catch it. Don’t get upset, you probably weren’t going to catch
it anyway. Hopefully, when they see you catch one they will pull back and
give a cheerful hoot!

Respect your elders. They have probably been surfing the break you are at
since before you were born. Give ‘em some space and their fair share of
waves; hopefully they will do the same for you. Don’t be afraid to ask
advice, more surfers than not will be flattered and eager to tell you what
they know. Plus, they have a lot to teach you; if they give you some advice
(kind or unkind) take it.

Support others. Help others, give encouragement, and don’t drop in on them.
Beginers are the minority out there so give a little love to the others out
there. Give ‘em a smile when they paddle out a hoot when they catch a good
wave. Compliment them. There is no greater buzz than someone telling you,
“Nice ride.”

Share waves. Once you get good enough to catch most of the waves your try
for, share, especially if you are on a longboard as you will be further out
than the shortboarders and able to catch more waves. Let others have their
turn, especially those who aren’t as good as you. Even if you were snaked
all the time when you started, don’t return the favor. Surfing shouldn’t be
a hazing process.

Localism sucks. But unfortunately, it does exist. Know something about the
surf spot where you are going out. It is best to go with someone who has
surfed there before. Sadly there are spots where locals will pester you,
throw things, break into your car and go as far as beating up other surfers.
This gross behavior should not be condoned, but should be avoided,
especially by the beginning surfer.

Surf with Aloha. If you are a beginner, or even a veteran surfer, have the
right attitude. It’s all about having fun, communing with nature and goofing
around. Leave any grudges or bad attitudes at home and surf with aloha,
peace and love.

Pick up after yourself. And finally, the best etiquette is always to leave
the beach as you found it. Don’t litter whether you are on the beach or on
the street. Join an ocean conservation philanthropy like Surfrider
Foundation. We only have one ocean so treat it with respect.

Rebecca Heller is a freelance journalist and keen surfer.
She publishes some of her work at Surfersvillage.com and WahineSurfing.com
from time to time.
Rebecca may be contacted as follows;-
Rebecca Heller
REBECCA.HELLER@newline.com