Mastering the Do’s and Don’ts for a Thriving Surf Culture

Do: Respect the pecking order: Wait your turn and avoid dropping in on others. Priority goes to the surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave.

Don’t: Drop-in on other surfers: Avoid taking off on a wave that someone else is already riding. Give them the right of way and wait for the next wave.

Do: Communicate with others: Use clear and friendly gestures or calls to indicate your intentions or to warn others of potential hazards.

Don’t: Snake or slash across others’ paths: Do not intentionally interfere with someone’s ride by cutting them off or crossing their line.

Do: Share waves and take turns: Avoid dominating a particular peak or hogging all the waves. Allow fellow surfers to catch their fair share of waves.

Don’t: Paddle aggressively through the lineup: Avoid aggressively paddling through the lineup, as it can cause collisions or disrupt other surfers’ rides.

Do: Give way to paddle-outs: Yield to surfers paddling out to the lineup. Make space for them to safely reach their desired position.

Don’t: Hog all the waves: Avoid catching every single wave and allow other surfers to have their fair share of opportunities.

Do: Keep the lineup clean: Dispose of your trash properly and do not leave any objects (surfboards, leashes, etc.) unattended or in the way of others.

Don’t: Leave behind a negative impact: Ensure you leave the beach and the ocean as you found it, without damaging any natural resources or disrespecting the environment.