Surf Etiquette | Top 9 Surf Rules you Need to Know

Started learning surfing for the first time, really tried to be polite and asked locals where they want me to wait to not get in the way etc. still end up getting shouted at all the time. Seems a very guarded thing rather than the relaxed open atmosphere I expected from ‘chilled surfers’

Great content but I still don’t find my case, if I close to the peak but other longboard not close to the peak, paddle from far out try to catch that wave, I still can catch it or I should hold back

La mejor regla: una buena vara

This is great and all, but this is all with the assumption that a line up is full respected at each spot and everyone has the same understanding of the rules right?

If you don't drop in on someone you'll never get any waves! Really depends where you surf. Don't listen to this chic.

Thanks for all the knowledge, it helps for someone like me just learning to surf as I prepare to turn 60 in a couple of months. Just trying to figure it out without this sort knowledge sharing would be overwhelming. 🙏

i surfed for the first time today. Was amazing and managed to belly ride and knee ride really far on some waves but was on a friends surf board that was too small to try and stand. However I was overwhelmed by the taxing it does on your body and how hard it is to manover when you are not used to it. Luckily it was in the evening and was quiet, but was trying my hardest to be mindful of other people. I’m so glad I found this it’s the perfect video for what I need!

08/02/23

Can't go back home 3yrs. Of cluster bombs

Thank you for sharing this. Surf etiquette is so important. This is needed for summer surf camps. I see so many of these in California and it is a free for all in the water and is so dangerous. I try to bring this up with the surf camp companies and this is a great video for counselors to teach at surf camps and lessons. Thank you again.

Alphas take all waves

I wish I had seen this 15 years ago. I broke a lot of those. I hope many people are helped by this fine video.

Alotta rules

Surfed Ireland Strandhill was awesome

Obviously this wasn't filmed in Southern California. The basic rule is don't go where you don't belong.

Growing up is a little surf town in south OC I surfed and knew a lot of guys who surfed. They are some of the coolest chill guys and girls you’ll ever come across.
Unfortunately, there’s a weird tribal culture too for a lot of guys in surfing which I never understand and always thought was pathetic but it exists and if you disrespect these guys, because they own the ocean apparently, you will get in a fight.

Surfers are a-holes

Wish I could show this to every surfer in the water!!😅😅

Yell going left or going right

All beginners should know this! It’s not a snake or a drop in if you yell party wave. Simple surf etiquette that not many beginners are aware of.

Locals aren't really identifiable. Just because some dude thinks he's clever or cool doesn't make him local or entitled. It's about everyone having a turn and having fun.
Ride equipment that suits your ability so you don't waste waves because once you claim your at the back of the line, even if you missed it.

Or paddle out on a 9'6 Southcoast in 1963 at Will Rogers State Beach and have Mickey ' Da Cat ' Dora glare at you until you quickly paddle as fast as your 13 yr old arms can go in the opposite direction....Aloha

Other huge thing that's not mentioned is that sometimes a day will have long boards and shortboards mixing. normally the longboarders aren't local and wouldn't know the spot and snipe a bunch of waves. As a local just remember to keep your cool cause they don't know any better any most likey don't get good waves were they live

Unless you're a local in Puerto Escondido, then surf etiquette doesn't apply.

Worst place I've ever seen localism, especially from the local schools teaching new people 🤷‍♂️

I don't surf but this was really cool. Always wondered how this stuff worked!!

Excellent video, the footage is accurate and amazing, and your explanation is so well done. i'm a beginner and i started to feel i'm not surfing like people should by the "surf rules", so now after watching this video i know much more and i try much harder not to bother other surfers. thank you!

Honestly, this is so important. I'm a beginner and I was afraid of going out and trying to catch waves because I didn't want to snake from the locals. I'm happy I know a bit more about the etiquette of surfing now. Thank you.

Where was this filmed? Gotta go here at some point!

Broooooooooooooo you stole my wave (later they blaze a phatie and talk it out)

In Hawaii, you better learn etiquette real quick or else you’ll either be yelled at or possibly smacked. Especially at local breaks. That’s why it’s important to just sit and observe for a little while 1st. It’s all about observation in every aspect.

very helpful, thanks!

Where is this break? Looks perfect

Common sense is a beautiful thing

From experience, usually the ethics version of the locals is simple : « I got priority on you no matter what, have a nice time in the watter »😄. No need to observe very long 😅.
Mexico, Nicaragua, Portugal, Maldives

Cool! Where was this filmed?

Great 👍🏾 Video…I learned a lot for my first trip 🤙🏽

This was sooooo helpful!

I rode Ocean Beach, SF for ten years. Closest to the peak is the only surf rule I ever heard of. Just. b. Cool😎

Big tip for you newbies to the sport or a new area......big wide open beach break only one or two guys out....don't paddle out and sit right next to that guy....go down the beach....give some space and respect to the locals.

The situation where I never know what to do is when I’m in the line up furthest from the shore and there’s people directly in front of me preventing me from paddling to catch a wave. Am I in the wrong for being so far back or are they for being in my way?

Does everyone see it now?

Priority was never who gets to their feet first.

That was created by longboarders who could get in earlier than a short boarder on the shoulder.

And they all tried to gaslight everyone into thinking ‘feet first’ was the rule.

And sups perpetuated it. Ironically pissing off the longboarders in the process as they outstripped their ability to get to their feet first. Hell, SUPers are already on their feet from the get go.

Priority is determined by the surfer on the inside, end of story.

Best surfers get best waves kooks go home

Looks like a good spot to learn surfing, where is it ?

Don’t understand why it needs to be so angry and serious 🤣 like everyone chill people make mistakes

I'm a beginner and I surf in 30-degree weather (Fahrenheit). There aren't many people there usually, but yesterday was a good day and there was an experienced guy there. I tried my best to keep my distance but we somehow ended up catching the same wave, thankfully we were very far apart and he didn't seem to notice but I still felt bad.

Note to Rule #4- Paddle wide. Avoiding surfers up and riding is the courteous thing to do, choosing the whitewater over sprinting for the shoulder and so on.

But, let’s not forget that as with right of way laws across traffic spectrums- the right of way is conceded to the person most restricted in maneuverability.

Ultimately, if you are up and riding and you hit someone, you are the one at fault and responsible for damages because you are the one with the the greater speed and turning ability (maneuverability).

Don’t make the mistake that the onus is on the paddler to move out of your way if you’re up and riding. It’s not, the onus is firmly with the surfer to avoid those paddling. Paddling wide is simply a courtesy that we all strive for to enhance the greater goal of collision avoidance.

Awesome lessons