In late summer, popular beaches can get busy, with surf schools, holidaymakers and regulars all sharing the same peaks. Surfing has a set of unwritten rules that keep the line-up safe and friendly when it gets crowded. Nobody hands you a rulebook when you buy your first board, but knowing these basics will help you avoid collisions, earn respect and enjoy your sessions far more.
Priority and Dropping In
The most important rule in surfing is about who gets the wave.
- The surfer closest to the peak has priority. The peak is where the wave starts to break. If someone is closer to it than you, the wave is theirs.
- Do not drop in. Dropping in means taking off on a wave when someone with priority is already riding it. It is the quickest way to cause an accident and annoy everyone in the water.
- One surfer, one wave. Unless you are deliberately sharing a wave with a friend, only one person should ride it.
- Do not snake. Snaking is paddling around someone to get on the inside of them and steal priority. It is seen as very poor form.
If you do drop in by accident, pull off the wave as quickly and safely as you can, and apologise. A simple sorry goes a long way.
Paddling Out Safely
Getting back out to the line-up is where many collisions happen.
- Paddle wide of the break. Use the channel, where waves are not breaking, rather than paddling straight through the area where people are riding.
- Stay out of the rider’s path. If a surfer is coming towards you on a wave, paddle towards the whitewater behind them rather than across their line, even if that means taking a wave on the head.
- Hold on to your board. Do not throw your board away when a wave comes. A loose board can seriously injure someone behind you. Learn to duck dive or turtle roll instead, and always wear a leash.
Know Your Level
Choosing the right spot for your ability is part of good etiquette.
- If you are a beginner, stick to the whitewater and gentle beach breaks, ideally with a surf school. Our surfing tips are a good place to start.
- Do not paddle out at a crowded reef or point break if you cannot yet control your board well.
- Watch for a while before you paddle out at a new spot. See where people sit, where the waves break and where the rocks or currents are.
Respect the Locals and Each Other
Every surf spot has regulars who surf it year round and care about it. Be friendly, say hello and wait your turn when you arrive. Do not paddle straight to the peak and expect waves right away. Patience and a good attitude will get you far more waves in the long run.
Respect works both ways. Experienced surfers who give a beginner some encouragement, or a gentle word of advice, help keep the line-up a welcoming place.
Good etiquette also does not end when you leave the water. Take your rubbish home, park considerately and avoid blocking access roads or slipways. Leave the beach as clean as you found it, or cleaner.
Follow these rules and you will find that most line-ups are welcoming places. Make sure your kit is up to the job too, including a reliable surf leash.