Surf Etiquette 101

North County Surf & Standup Surf Etiquette Rules

By

The Foundation for Surfing Etiquette: a collective of community member locals tasked with instilling and enforcing norms of behavior in San Diego North County to ensure the safe enjoyment of our oceans and beaches by all.

Learn, appreciate, obey and share these rules.

These rules are specific to the breaks in North County of San Diego, between South Torrey Pines to Oceanside.  These are specific to this region because of the unique geographic and demographic forces influencing this region.  Some of these rules may apply to other regions across the US or even the globe, however the following set of norms have been crafted for this region’s unique geographic, environment and cultural factors.

1. Most applicable rule is JBYCDMYS: Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should.  The first application of this rule is Don’t drop in on anyone! Period. ~  Burning someone’s wave can create animosity and could get you hurt. Much like driving a car, there are rules to who has the right of way ~ or right of wave as we call it. Right of wave generally includes the following:
1. Furthest out: the surfer who is furthest out or has been waiting longest generally has the right to catch the next wave.  Who’s been waiting the longest is often a tricky thing to recognize if you’re new to the area and/or just paddled out.  Take your time, let a few waves go by and get a feel for the place.  Be observant of the dynamic between people out before you and identify who is positioning to go next.  If unclear, ask whose turn it is, which also announces your intention to queue up for a wave.
2. Furthest inside: the closest surfer to the peak of the breaking wave has the right of wave. This too can be tricky if surfers are on different style boards ~ for example a longboarder can theoretically catch more waves than a short boarder.  A short boarder has to position closer to the breaking peak whereas someone on a longboard has a wider margin of being able to catch a wave.  If positioning is confusing, refer back to “rule a” above and take turns.
3. First to feet: the first person to stand or first onto the wave has right of wave.  This rule doesn’t always apply in the case of someone on a longboard or Standup board surfing.  However, generally speaking if two people are on similar equipment the person who’s up to their feet first has the right of wave.
4. Communication: call out "Left!" or "Right!" if the wave is dual-peaking. It’s okay to split a wave (i.e., you go right, another person goes left), but never okay to drop in on someone who is either already on a wave or has waited and is setup to catch the wave

Relevant to this topic, also note the following:

• Back of the Bus Rule: If you fail to catch a wave, including if you catch it but fall off, you’ve lost your turn and must give others their turn.
• Bikini Rule: A bikini does not give you carte blanche to drop in on others.  Stay on the beach if you’re looking to capture a social media moment.
• Pro Rule: much like the Bikini Rule, being a pro in the lineup with others means the rest of us non-professional surfers look to you to help set the tone for proper behavior.  This is your opportunity to build your personal pro brand by being cool, give waves, and teach others on how to be a more efficient, consciousness surfer.
• Newby Rule:  Again JBYCDMYS applies: If you’re new to surfing, don’t paddle out to the peak with more experienced surfers.  This also applies if you’re experienced but are new to a break, unless you have a local accompanying you to vouch for your behavior.
• Getting to the Lineup: Do not paddle out straight in front of the peak and/or other surfers.  Go to the side of them and paddle around to get to the lineup. This is especially true if you’re a standup surfer.  Blocking someone’s path when they’re surfing a wave is dangerous and just downright rude.
• An important subtopic here is proper etiquette of paddling out and not getting in the way of someone already surfing a wave.  You will inevitably find yourself scratching to get through an approach wave that is about to crash on you.  Let’s say someone happens to be surfing that wave and you are leaded in the path of the surfer.  Instead of paddling hard to get in front of the surfer to avoid taking a wave on the head, you should aim for the back of the surfer and absolutely take a wave on the head because the surfer has the right of way.  Your blocking the surfer’s line is bad form and can be dangerous in critical sections ~ think of what would happen if you block the line of a surfer at Pipeline as he/she is screaming through the tube without much opportunity to maneuver around you.  You will be run over in this case with potentially severe injuries.
• Get Up Standup: special note on Standup Surfing.  There are generally two groups of SUPers: Dolphin Chasers and SUP Surfers.  If your skill level is not there yet, you’re categorized as a Dolphin Chaser and should relegate yourself to practicing away from others.  If you have mastered your craft enough to actually surf the peak, then JBYCDMYS, which means just because you can catch all the waves due to equipment advantage, doesn’t mean you should catch all the waves.  Help other surfers by calling out sets and be a good community member, give waves, then take some when appropriate.
• Coaches & School Teams: If you’re a coach who brings students to a break, find an isolate peak and aggregate your students there instead of releasing them like hounds to the main peak.  Teach your students humility and etiquette so they give waves instead of take them before earning their right to surf alongside the locals.  Realize their behavior is a reflection of you and enforcement of conflict resolution will be properly bestowed.  
• If you have license to operate a surf school, JBYCDMYS and don’t pretend like you own the beach.  A business license will not protect you nor your students from consequences of improper behavior.  This is your opportunity to instill proper surf community behavior to new students, teach them right.
• Wave Bully: Nobody likes a wave hog so give more than you take.  If you hog waves, you’ll be treated as a bully and be dealt with appropriately.
• Garage Sale Rule: Keep control of your equipment at all times, especially if you’re a longboarder or standup surfer.  It is NOT okay to jump off your board at the end of a wave.  Learn proper technique and kick out of a wave when you’re done surfing it and don’t rely on your leash as you shoot your board and fall off.  Finish a wave with grace and control instead of being lame.  Surfing is the collection of your behavior from the moment your feet hit the sand, through your catching and riding waves, to finishing your surfing session and leaving the beach.  Ending a wave in control and grace is an important, integral part of surfing that you should aim to master with as much attention as actually catching and riding a wave.
• Crowding Friends: If you see a group of surfers at a peak, paddle out a bit further away and give them their space.  They were there before you and it’s rude to snake their spot.  If their spot is the only peak to surf then be gentle with your approach and ask if you can catch waves with them.  Speak only when spoken to and don’t assume you’re welcome ~ earn their respect before assuming you can surf with them.
• Love Your Home: Respect the ocean and beach by picking up as much trash at the end of your session.  Give thanks that mother nature has gifted you the ability to enjoy the beach and ocean.  Clean up after yourself and others because you’re a member of the community of surfers around the world.  If you want to be respected and treated as such, do your part and contribute.
• Grandparent Rule: mistakes happen and you may injure someone or yourself in the process.  Be polite and apologize for your mistakes.  Behave as if your grandparents are watching you...make them proud.  If you end up damaging someone’s equipment, it’s polite to offer to pay for the cost of fixing it.
• Cul De Sac Rule: Realize you belong to a community, which means be prepared and willing to help other surfers.  Treat others like neighbors and you’ll be treated with respect and be helped when you need it.
• Take care of your equipment: a broken leash can mean disaster.  
• Lighten up: have fun and don’t take things too seriously.  Remember a smile can melt a lot of ice.  
• Practice Aloha Communication to break the ice and learn who’s turn it is.  Communicate your intentions even if you think everyone can read your mind.  Others will appreciate knowing your intentions and this is good practice to build rapport.