Surf: The Dos and Don’ts

Look, no one expects you to know everything from the jump, and there is certainly room for mistakes. However, what you don’t want to be doing is being inconsiderate and not appreciating the surf. You want to have a growth mindset. Every moment is an opportunity for you to grow and expand your surf knowledge, and that applies to everyone else around you. 

That being said, take the bull by the horns and make the most of it. We are here to provide the pointers that you should pay attention to when starting out and that you should carry with you.  

The most important thing, however, is to respect the sport and have high regard for the safety and respect of others. This is an unwritten code of conduct that rules over the surfing community, but we’re going to write it out anyway. 

Surf Spots

Surfing can be both the most pleasurable and intense of experiences that you will go through. Different spots on the break produce completely different environments, and we’re not exactly talking about geographical spots either. 

This can be quite the problem for beginners, as they are still unsure about where and when they’re supposed to be. There is a simple rule of thumb here—if you are unsure or have your doubts, just don’t paddle out to that spot. Better be safe than sorry. 

Having said that, you should know your skillset and be realistic about what you are able to pull off. You’re not going to impress anyone by drowning. So, navigate the spots that give you an advantage. Are you more comfortable with shallow waves, or do you need more time to get into the groove? 

What if you don’t know how to approach a wave lineup? If you have no idea if it will be a good or a bad spot for you, then what? 

Have a Surfing Partner

Well, it’s always beneficial to surf out with someone that has a bit more mileage than you in the beginning. 

Again, there will be a time when you’ll be able to do all of this on your own and look good in pictures doing it, but when you’re starting out, take a bit of a back seat and take all that you can get in terms of knowledge and help. 

Forceful waves aren’t great for beginners. Even advanced and experienced surfers can have trouble with them because they tend to break violently and quickly. 

If you happen to be a beginner surfer, just stay away from them until you are truly ready. 

Go for spilling waves that will give you a better chance of succeeding, and that will build up your confidence. You don’t want PTSD from your very first ride. 

Don’t Drop In

This one is an absolute must. One of the very first things that you should look out for is if there are other surfers around you and if you might be intruding on their waves. 

The surfer that is the closest to the peak of the wave has the right of passage. There will be other riders that will want to get on the same wave as you, so take care when paddling out to them and don’t get in anyone's way. 

Whoever has the chance of the longest ride is the one that gets dibs. You can easily navigate this by taking a look if there is someone closer than you to the breaking point of the wave. 

You can still paddle out to the wave if you are vigilant and keep an eye on the rider that has the right of passage. If they happen to skip the wave or fall off their board, then you can pop up and catch the wave yourself. 

No One Is Perfect

Look, it might happen; it’s happened to the best of them. You might get to be a drop in. If that happens, apologize and never use it as an excuse to take someone’s wave. That’s just surf ethics. 

This goes for experienced surfers, but if you see that a rider before you has no chance of keeping their balance and that they are bound to fall off the wave, wait them out and go for it.

However, you still have to watch out for that person and where they land. You don’t want to crash straight into them while they are coming up for air. 

Know the Peak of the Wave

Alright, now you know what to look out for, so how do you minimize your chances for errors? Well, one of the first things that you should take into account is the peak of the wave. 

If you have the peak in sight, you should be good in terms of knowing where everyone else is in relation to it. 

To achieve this, just take a look in the opposite direction that you are going in. The peak is either on your side or on the other end. That’s it. 

Look Back

Take a look back when you can and be aware of your surroundings. If you hear someone calling out or signaling you, then it’s better to stop and see what the fuss is about. 

‍If you realize that you have dropped in on someone’s wave when you are already on it, it’s not too late to correct your course. Try to go over the shoulder and slide down the back of the wave—no harm, no foul, as they say. 

Don’t Shake

No one likes a shake. In fact, some surfers will be very aggressive in letting you know that you have pulled a shake on them. 

A shake occurs when the surfer with the right of passage is focused on the paddle up, and another one undercuts them by paddling out to the inside of the wave. Even as a beginner, it’s very hard to justify a shake. 

If someone is going for it, you know that they’re going for it. It makes no sense for you to go for the middle of the wave in order to catch half a surf. 

Veteran surfers will probably be able to handle the situation and navigate around you, but you are still putting a lot of people in danger, including yourself. Regard the shake as the mortal sin of surfing—there is no place for it among surfers. 

Take Turns

In order to minimize the chance of mistakes and collisions, you might make some kind of a deal to take turns on waves. This way, if the group isn’t too big, you don’t even have to worry about others getting in your way, and you getting in the way of others. 

This might mean that you might get some not-so-good surfs every now and again, but at least you can focus solely on your craft. 

Be Polite

It’s common sense that if you are the only one that has a longboard, you will be able to get to most waves first. This doesn’t mean that you have to, though. Don’t be greedy just because you can. 

Even if you miss a couple of waves, that still doesn’t give you a free pass to go until you catch one. The only circumstances when this is alright is when you are alone. And let’s face it, surfers rarely are these days. 

Communicate

Don’t hesitate to speak up and communicate with the other surfers. Everybody will welcome this if it improves the surf as a whole. 

Heck, some will even welcome mindless chatter while waiting your turns. Surfing is a lot about community at heart. If you are unsure of where a rider is headed, just shout out at them and ask them. 

That should solidify your approach and set them at ease because they won’t be watching their backs, wondering if you might drop in. 

Respect The Locals

It’s sort of a home-court thing. Every beach and every reef has local surfers that live or have grown up near that spot. It’s very important to have respect for them and not wreak havoc on their home spot. 

Different spots go by different rules of engagement and custom. So, if you happen to be new to the spot, take a minute to get a sense of how things are done. 

In some spots, it’s the locals that have the right of passage, even if they are not the closest ones to the breaking point of the wave. 

Take it slow and see how things are done. And back to our previous point, just flat out ask. There is no harm to it, and oftentimes, everyone will be happy to give you all the information you are after. 

Hold On to Your Board

This might be a bit of a no-brainer, but when there are people around you, it’s a good idea to keep your board close and not kick it off as you come down. 

There is a very good chance that you will end up hitting someone if this is a practice for you. 

Yes, we get it. It’s cool as hell to just kick your board away and go for a dive, as a celebration of a successful ride, but safety first.  

You can avoid this altogether by building good habits from the start. As a beginner surfer, practice going through the white water, performing turtle roll, and duck diving, and you should be just fine down the road. 

Apologize

A heartfelt apology goes a long way. Most surfers will be able to tell if you really mean what you are saying or if you are pulling their leg. 

It’s an adrenaline-fueled situation, so if you did something wrong, just apologize for your mistake and keep the tension low. Most surfers will accept your apology and tell you not to worry about it.

Care

Yes, you have to care for the surf in order to become a great surfer. Don’t go around trying to stir things up or impress someone. Keep the surf nice and clean. Don’t use sunscreens that will pollute the ocean and don’t litter. It’s basic in every aspect. 

If you respect the game, you are bound to have an excellent time and strike up some beautiful friendships. 

In Closing…

Everything from the sea and swell to your reactions and skills plays a big role when it comes to surf spots. If you have started to spend more than a couple of hours a day surfing or doing activities related to surfing, it’s a sure sign that you have been bitten by the surf bug.

There is a lot to learn and discover. No one ever truly masters the surf craft, and that’s the beauty of it. Take one step at a time, and enjoy your journey. It’s bound to be a memorable one.