Basic Rules of Surfing
63 comments
Here are the basic rules to surfing. If you read them, you should be safe in the surf. (And so should everyone else.) They are in no order of importance, but all are relevant. Remember - surf safely and respect your fellow water babes.
Surfing Dos And Don'ts
Alcohol
Surfing under the influence is not a good idea. Save the drinking for the after-surf bragging session at your local where you can tell everyone just how many barrels you got earlier.
Be Aware
Be aware of other surfers and water users, of the surf conditions, and of where you are surfing. (See below under "Patrolled Beaches".)
Comfort Zone
You should surf in waves that you are comfortable with. Don't get in over your head.
Fitness
Make sure you are physically fit when surfing. You need to be able to swim back to shore if you lose your board at the end of an exhausting session - no mean feat in a 3 metre swell.
Food
As with swimming, do not go surfing for at least 45 minutes after a meal.
Fun
Surfing is all about having fun; keep it in mind when you are out in the waves.
Hold or Throw
Know when to hold on to your surfboard and when to get rid of it. If you are paddling out, then keep hold of your board. You'll get back to the line up more quickly, and you'll not put anyone paddling out behind you at risk. If you are about to wipe out, get rid of your board. You are far more likely to sustain an injury if you and your board are getting washed around together.
Patrolled Beaches
If you are surfing on a patrolled beach, make sure that you keep within the designated surfing area. Take note of where you should be surfing before you go out, and make sure you stick to it when you are out.
Priority
Always make sure that you are not taking anyone else's wave. Remember that the surfer who is closest to the breaking wave has priority. If you see someone already on a wave, then the wave is considered to be taken, and you'll have to wait for the next one.
Practice
If you want to improve then you need to be in the water surfing as regularly as possible. No one gets better at anything by staying home and watching T.V.
Respect
Respect the locals if you are visiting a beach. Remember that you are a guest and that waves should be shared.
Rips
If you are caught in a rip, remember that it's called R.I.P. for a reason. You may not make it back to dry land ever again if you get caught in one. Hopefully you already know that a rip is a strong current that (normally) goes straight out to sea and, if caught in one, you should not panic but instead paddle across the rip (not against it) until you have escaped.
Sun Block
Always wear a good waterproof sunblock. You'll know how important it is if you have been out for a few hours surfing in the sun without it. Also, if you are not wearing a wetsuit, it is a good idea to wear a UV-proof long sleeve rash vest for body protection.
Surf Buddy
Always surf with at least one other person. Not only will you have more fun if you are sharing your waves, but you'll always have someone to help you out if you need it.
Surf Conditions
Make sure that the surf is safe before you go in. If you are going surfing at a spot you are unfamiliar with it, is a good idea to get some advice from a local. Check out the surf spot while warming up.
Warm-up
Always have a quick warm-up and stretch before entering the surf. This will reduce the risk of muscle injury or cramp while you're surfing. It also gives you time to check for any rips or where the best spot to catch waves is.
Oh yeah, don't surf too close to the shore!
Surfing Safely
If you keep this list in mind when you surf, you'll surely enjoy yourself, prevent trouble, and avoid fighting with the locals.
Spanish Version: Las Reglas Básicas para Practicar Surf
What about sharks what is the chance that you will get attacked while surfing
It's very very unlikely. Check over on the forum, there are loads of shark topics to put your mind at ease.
it is possible to be good at surf if you weight is around 180 ?
because i want to lose some weight to drop at 170
Hi Lancelot,
Sure it's possible, there are plenty of 180lb surfers. Drop to 170 with some surf fitness exercises for double the benefit.
how likely is it to get caught in a rip??
hey! i weigh about 210 and am thinking of taking up surfing. it is safe for me at this weight to try?
I weigh 100. Am I too light for a longboard?
you wouldnt get eatin by a shark
I'm going surfing this summer (maybe) and I feel really good about this guide!!!!!!
My husband is interested in surfing. We just moved to HI and he did try it yesterday for the first time. He didn't do too bad...is it better to start on a used board or get a new board to start with? Also, should he take a lesson or just go for it?
Start with a used board, he might find that he doesn't really like it.
If he progresses quickly, he may have to upgrade the board to something more suitable. You'll save $$ in the long run.
Lessons can be good, and many people get lots out of them. You'll start with surfers of the same standard, and get into some good habits straigth away. Others like to give it a go on their own and see what happens.
It's really a matter of personal choice.
I love surfing from South Africa,Irie Surf chica's my name.Aloha braddas and sistas;-)
ya man !!! come surf on vic bay - South africa , you'll have tha time of your life !!! on my way to coasta rica in october. BOOM . doggy style is tha name. happy surfing
I am 14 years old and want to learn how to surf, but am kinda scared about sharks from movies and stories I have read before, what are the chances if you learn to surf off Waikiki Hawaii of shark encounters?
does high tide or low tide matter much when choosing when to go out and surf. are the conditions usually better at one of those times, or not
thanks
Hi Nauc, the effect is surf spot dependent. Some spots are better at high, some at low etc.
The tide can make a dramatic difference to conditions.
ok, thanks
how much generally is a used surfboard?
i love surfing :)
Surfing is the BEST my favorite thing to do in the whole world!!! Only just started but so addicted an constantly checking surf report! If ur thinking bout it, don't hesitate, DO IT! an don't let a few bad falls an dumps put u off.. Keep at it an u will discover the feeling is magical
New to surfing and trying to learn in a kinda cove or L think it was high tide and the waves were breaking going in and out like a spout??? any hints i dont get to many chances to surf and i dont have much experience???? :)
You should add something to this list on the order of "know who's turn it is." If you don't know whose turn it is, it's probably not yours, and trying to sit deepest usually just means you're ruining waves, and detracting from everybody else's good time -- in other words you're kooking it up.
See Priority.
There's more in depth information in the Etiquette and Priority articles, and lots of topics on the forum if anyone needs further info.
Well, I hear you, but learning about whose turn it is, and how not to ruin line-ups by sitting too deep for yourself belongs on a checklist light this one, imo. Beginners don't surf well enough to regard sitting deepest as giving them right of way, because they can't sit deeper than anybody else without just ruining waves all day long by creating chaos in pole position. It doesn't really help them that much to tell them "first up, closest to the curl" gives right of way, because it never applies to them, because they can't sit that deep in a crowd without ruining waves.
What I mean: sitting too deep and creating chaos is the #1 mistake beginners make once they learn to stand-up and "go straight" (i.e. go down the line without making any turns, etc.). IMO, it should be on every "basics of etiquette" page, yet it almost never is on any.
i love surfing
could i die from surfing
Go to a break with more forgiving waves, wait you turn, try hard, & have fun! Stay out of local's way! Don't get discouraged! You have to paddle as fast as the wave is moving in order to catch it. A wave breaks in half it's depth of water. In other words, a 4 foot wave will break in 2 feet of water. Good luck, & respect others in the ocean!
Good advice Jerry.
what does it mean if some1 drops in on ur wave
A drop in is where someone takes a wave that you have priority on.
Thanks also a LOT and a LUMP for mentioning this said set of Basic Rules For Surfing for others and even for us, too.... And thanks also a LOT and a LUMP for pointing out that this said set of Basic Rules for Surfing says also NOT to panic whenever you see that gets an ugly-looking break for others and even for us, too....
What would you have to do if you see any sharks?
I started surfing whit 15 when i came too marocco becaus my frend is a good surfer i surf every day with him and i learned fast i surfed in big waves every thing but i have the question if i can still be a professionel surfer becaus i started late
is it good to mock others who don't know how to surf
Nice point of view bilqisu. I'm sure you are welcomed in the lineup wherever you go.
hey how do you become a really really good surfer?
Practice and practice and practice
Is it okay to surf when you have sprang your ankle because i just did but i really want to learn how to surf?
always wanted to go surfing. 13 years old
Hey Guest,
I weigh in at 120 kilos (260 lbs) and ride a 6'8" no problems, you just have to get in and give it a go and with practice and exercise you won't even think about your weight.
hi i live in iowa. is there anywhere to surf in iowa?
I surf regularly and I an 68. My wife who is 60 has just moved from mini-mal to short board. She is super fit and enjoying the challenge. We get plenty of encouragement from the younger surfers.
Is it safe to surf on a ........... TSUNAMI!!!!!!!!!
No, it's not safe to surf during a tsunami
I am 11 years old and live near Manchester and I really really want to surf but I no were near the sea are there any surf schools in Manchester England
Ok so I'm 11 and almost 12.
My brother doesn't want to surf with me(his loss
How do u know what a rip looks like? If your a beginner and are struggling will other surfer's help.
im 15 but i cant surf, am too scared
Dont surf to close to the beach,
Enlighten people to beach break surfing.
Always surf with a buddy its a lone sport solitude peaceful, you dont always need someone.
Dont throw your board its a danger to others.
Rip tide isnt called r.i.p for that reason stop scaring people.
Most of all if and IF you get your facts right then surfing is fun not listening to rubbish.
Dan
Revolution skate park and surfing thanet
Hello. I live nowhere near the ocean and I REALLY want to learn how to surf. Well, I live in Montana. Is it possible to surf in a lake? I am just wondering... :D
Is a rip really going to take you away forever? I think you might want to rework the rip part a bit. Around here we get a lot of swimmers pulled out in a rip on one beach. They don't drown from the rip, they drown from panic or exhaustion trying to fight it. It will let you go when it gets out of the immediate drain zone, then you can get in somewhere else down the coast or get picked up. So telling people it's really bad and they'll never see land again is kind of encouraging panic, right? Better to explain like in Wikipedia, maybe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rip_current
I got got wiped out on Lusty Glaze beach Newquay about twenty years ago and
new to surfing at the time. I never knew the meaning of the 'washing machine' thing until that day and I thought I was going to meet my maker. I ended up with a black eye and a badly gashed forehead, that still shows up pink when I get a tan and sand in places that I never knew you could get sand!
I remember crawling onto the beach and sitting there proper dazed, whilst my hubby, sister and the lifeguard came running up to me to see if I was ok, I cried, apparently it was shock.
My hubby said it was the best wave he'd ever caught, my sister laughed and the lifeguard told me some poor guy had died there a week ago.
I never went into the water for years it really scared me, having said that the Atlantic and I have now made friends and all is good. Peace and love to you all.
hey,
I am new to the Boston area and I was wondering what the rules are for surfing at the beaches, i.e. What times are lifeguards on duty, is surfing forbidden during these times and are there beaches where it is ok to surf all day?
how much would a paipo cost?
Does surfer should be followed law In Hawaii?
hi I'm 19.6 stone can I surf
I fell in love with someone who, as it turns out, is an alcoholic, drives drunk, has been busted for it a few times that I know of, and goes surfing on the beach, late night, and into the early morning hours, totally DRUNK!!! I do not know how he is even still alive, and I am totally sick over it. He becomes very belligerent from the alcohol, and had a brother who died from drunk driving, and hitting a tree, on high school graduation night, I believe, or sometime thereafter. This situation is too sad, and I feel totally helpless.
@truthseeker
Start by finding an Al-Anon meeting in your area. Google search “al-anon”, it is a support group to help with family members of addicts/alcoholics.
Im sorry you’re going thru a difficult time and i hope this helps you.
Maybe you can learn to surf to help deal with the stress and take your mind off things!
God Bless
do you have to wear a long sleeve weat sut
Thanks for pointing out that you must only surf in waves that you are comfortable with, and you must be physically fit when surfing. My husband and I are planning to learn to surf so we can enjoy more water activities when we are on the beach. We also have friends who are interested so I will ask them to remember your tips and convince them to attend private group surfing lessons with us for safety reasons.
So, I am a fisherman I obey the law and I fish sometimes off of fishing piers, particularly the fishing pier at Pismo Beach. Surfers are always at the beach surfing which is fine, but these surfers for some strange reason congregate on both sides of the pier and float and splash around by the pilings, what gives? Are there any laws or regulations that prohibit this since it makes it nearly impossible to fish
And I think all concerns about shark attacks are legit concerns and deserve an answer, if anyone would like the statistics on shark attacks recorded on the pacific coast, Google it, the info you find might surprise you..