Surf Etiquette | Top 9 Surf Rules you Need to Know
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 15. 05. 2024
- Learn the important unwritten rules of surfing. Stay safe and be respectful of other surfers.
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0:00 Intro
00:22 1- Choose the right surf spot
00:56 2- Donât Drop In
02:17 Drop In Variations & Exceptions
03:14 3- Donât Snake
03:53 4- Paddle wide
04:39 5- Take turns
05:48 6- Communicate
05:59 7- Respect the locals
06:16 8- Hold on to your board
06:40 9- Say sorry
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Surf Etiquette:
Find the douchbag that thinks he owns the waves because he is "local"
Beat the shit out of that dumbass
when you donât even surf but still want to learn the etiquette
m'lady
When you've been surfing for 8 years but want to make sure you aren't pissing people off by accident
@@alxmnslv You mugwump you're talking of "serfs" instead of surfing
@@user-xv4he4mt4x I clicked "serfing" etiquette cause I couldn't find the how to be her majesty's "bodyguard" etiquette.. geez what messed up humour
Manners go a long way, son.
When you said "it could be pretty traumatizing" i felt that
Tyson Hart i dont get it
I got crashed by a kid
yep me too dude
As a 14 year old intermediate surfer,
Same
@Eihoofd2 I was 16 and only a few months into surfing when I got utterly fucked on by a wave that wasnât huge but definitely bigger than what I could control.
When you've been learning to surf by yourself for a whole year, watch this video and then cringe at how many of these rules you've broken at some point! :S
true!
If you're learning in what might be called a tourist location the etiquette is pretty much unknown by everyone, which makes it hell dangerous. You can tell when you and others aren't following the etiquette, you feel like you're having near misses all the time that could result in injury or even worse, damage to your board.
That's soo funny
Shame Shame Shame Read the manual first!
Crackz!
that's why I surf at sunrise, alone in the waves. Beautiful moment and alone in the water :)
Cheers from France
Surfings getting too popular. I used to have sunrises to myself a few years ago but now even on shitty days there's always a pack assembled at sunrise. Give it 5 years and you're sunrise sesh spot will be packed.
I used to surf at sunrise before school when I was in high school and one day a shark hit my board, it wasn't big enough to hurt me or anything but that little bastard scared the shit out of me. I couldn't stay alone in the water for like half a year đđđđ (sorry for my bad English writing I'm from Costa Rica, pura vida đ€)
@@nelsonwesterhout2588 not a horrible thing! It just means more people are interested in be in the world and trying news hobbies
DoozieCone Not saying itâs bad that more people are enjoying the sport. Iâm just saying the fun is not really sustainable because surf spots are so limited. Maybe it the future wave pools could help with this congestion.
Nelson Westerhout yep sadly "popular" spots are crowed early now. I'm grateful, where I surf, except during summer, I'm alone the morning. Surf is beautiful, let's enjoy what we have !
when you say sorry as a beginner for dropping in on someone and them still having a massive go at you
foreal im out
people are different. You might drop in on a a-hole or a cool guy.
I done that on accident
that means you should go surf somewhere else, not around other people.
Iâve had this happen to me and the guy was an abolsute dick even after I apologised twice
I learned to surf many years ago in Australia, and it wasn't crowded then (one of the scenes looks like my old spot) and you learned the rules pretty quickly. There was a world champ named Nat Young who they called "The Animal". He was big and aggressive, would assault & bully other surfers and everyone was afraid of him. That went on for a couple of years until one day he punched out a kid in the waves. The kid's dad was on shore and saw it and waited till Nat came in and beat the shit out of him, required hours of reconstructive surgery.
Word got around and everybody was glad. After that, Nat "got religion" and started giving talks about "surf rage" and being nice in the water. Last I heard he was in Colorado or someplace doing the ski thing. You can probably look him up online.
Sometimes losing a fight is all someone needs to humble them
thats just not how the story goes ahahah
Good. Who is he to slap some kid over a breaker ? These surf bullies need to grow up. For that matter, some of these bullies could end up in prison where they become the bullied.
this is hilarious well written
Glad a bloke hit his reset button. It's not too bad I find these days on the Sunny Coast but there is still a lot of tribalism. The "locals only" mind set is diminishing but still strong unfortunately on the Gold Coast, Central Coast etc.
5:59 I swear I thought she was gonna day âa surfer is usually considered local when he has a long hairdoâ
Longest do holds priority. đđœââïž
Every surfer should watch this especially snakes
Honestly it isnât that hard to pick up assholes will be assholes
Snake surfers know the rules. That's why they are called snakes
snakes are equivalent
to youtube or redit trolls and flamers... they know the rules but dont give a fuck
Snakes? It's called pecking order
@@talgilboa285 there are no rules. You know if you're a kook and you get what ever are left over. You don't have right away ever if your a kook
Just shout "surfs up" regardless of the situation and you'll be fine
Lol
LOL
and "COWABUNGA"
I have actually never heard someone shout that but I am sure it works
FACT!!!
Surfing was invented for the soul purpose of fun and relaxation. Now everyone takes it so seriously, and theyâre missing the point. Ya Iâve dropped in on a few people, but I usually apologize if I know I got in the way, and 9/10 they are super cool about it cause they know itâs all about having a good time. You gotta have the zen attitude, or youâre not a surfer.
@@Angel-vv9xo sometimes its unintentional đ€·ââïž
Accidents happen but some people seem to never look over their shoulder to see if they're dropping in on someone. No one expects perfection but a quick glance is important.
"You gotta have the zen attitude, or youâre not a surfer" I surfed OC for years and that's not true in my exp. I was not a good surfer but I did well enough to love it despite being constantly snaked.
and fun and relaxation is not facilitated by having a bunch of kooks around blowing waves and dropping in on people, getting in the way and generally being a danger to themselves and others.
You can watch surfing endlessly. That's very beautiful.
Everyone in LA needs to watch this
Good luck with that brother, best wishes, much love and don't be a shoulder rat hopping after the oncoming surfers cheese.
@@gsmarin1 what does a shoulder rate? And also what is peel ans break mean when surfing?
I AGREE......Completley đ
them 2 guys arguing on surfboards was hilarious lol
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.
Happy to help! Thanks for the love đ
just keep in mind the take off points depending on the board and your should be good
My friends and I canât turn so we can all get the wave
haha
best way to do it
i am just imagining this with the beach boys playing in the background
Update: the rest of them improved, I can still barely surf
The only etiquette I knew before this video was that Point Break scene "Stay off my wave!" Which intimidated me a little.
Everyone forgets: thereâs always another wave. Iâve been the losing side in so many of these exact situations. You just sorta throw your hands up and put some distance between you and the other fella and try to preserve the zen that the ocean offers.
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, letâs 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).
Donât make the mistake that the onus is on the paddler to move out of your way if youâre up and riding. Itâs 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.
Thank you so much! Great video! Iâm a noob so i must have broken this etiquette a number of times without even realising đŹ
been surfing for 30 years...etiquette in So.Cal has changed....people just drop in on each other regularly and whoever is "better" or has more friends in the line-up claims it and stays on the wave. Especially at premiere breaks like Trestles and HB pier.
Superb video. Really clear videos of each situation; that must have taken a lot of work to arrange and film. Good narration too đđ»
Thank you đ, we are glad to hear it.
"Today we're going to spend the entire session surfing like kooks." At least it was a small day.
i was thinking the same thing the amount of time to replicate each situation !
When you've been surfing all your life but still watch this
I bodyboard and im just watching to feel sad that im not surfing that pure glassiness
and still learn something, oops
Even tho u been surfing all ur life, did u know these rules?
Just curious
lightning yeah, I would never drop in on someone whoâd already missed the wave (2:30) it just felt rude, like I was showing off, but I guess thatâs okay now?
A couple others: donât foil at popular surf spots. If youâre riding a SUP, catch a few and keep moving down the beach; you can cover more ground so donât aggravate a single set of surfers by sticking in one area. If you have a longer board and are surfing around a lot of short boarders, use your crafts superior wave catching ability for good, not evil. Donât be a wave hog.
I wish this video was around when I first started. I leaned how to surf on CZcams but I didn't know anything about etiquette. I learned most from just watching and observing in the water, but a few times I definitely did some bad things by accident. Luckily most of the people could tell by my sun damaged and duct taped nose that I was just starting and slowly educated me, but knowing this from the get go would have definitely saved me some embarrassing moments. Subscribed!
+ PRO TIP= DON'T HOG WAVES If u longboard and sit deepest, with easiest option to catch incoming waves, don't hog all them. Let some nice waves go by, so the shortboarders waiting on the inside can also enjoy good rides. Everyone sees this, cus you are in everyone's line of sight as they all look to horizon. It creates good vibes. When everyone gets waves, it makes the lineup a lot more fun.
Only thing I might add is really adhere to who's next, even if you're in a better position. There's a lot of grey areas; the ocean is infinitely variable, and there's subtle levels of entitlement (some valid and some less so). But especially when it's crowded, you've got to let people have their chance. 45 years surfing FWIW.
I hear you.
But as you said, thereâs so much variability.
A new guy paddling out into the line up, or, groan-several.
The wave shifts such that the guy in the priority spot is now too late. Does the next go? Potentially snowballing? Personally, I think if heâs paddling for it, and has priority, itâs his wave to blow.
And if he canât make it, back of the line.
But I agree, we should all take stock of who has had what. Which requires awareness in the line up.
Which really isnât that hard.
But then their are the guys that feign oblivion. Theyâre good surfers, so theyâre not novices, but they manage to flout all the etiquette and then pretend they have no idea whatâs going on when you call them on it.
I do not buy that anyone surfing in SoCal who is above average doesnât know the etiquette. There might be a small handful. But surfing like that in SoCal and people will call you on it at least once/session. But there is in no way as many obliviots as Iâve seen.
So itâs on us to call them out.
Personally I think itâs best if we donât wait til it happens to us if we call it out.
Iâve surfer local spots, and everyone knows the pecking order and the rules. If youâre new, and try and take advantage, the entire line up will swarm them.
Great vid and spot. Iâd add: donât just bring a group of 5 people and jump immediately into the lineup, clogging it and the break zone. And if youâre riding a longboard or SUP donât abuse your boardâs early wave catching ability and be a wave hog.
I surf away from other surfers. Yesterday and me and two female surfers, with a good 26 yards between us, respecting each others space, turned and saw a group of 8 people just paddle quickly - from where they were surfing previously - to directly in front of us, between the line up and the shore. Then they just threw water at each other and didn't attempt to catch any waves. Just blocked us from catching. Thing is the waves were better where they were surfing in the first place...
Locals apparently...
That Moment when you live no where near an ocean and have never surfed once in your life but you want to learn anyway
Super comprehensive, good for all beginners to know, especially in places where surf tourism is picking up. Good job! Will def be sharing this.
These videos are so helpful! The video is great and the commentary very concise and clear. I even like the unobtrusive and relaxing music. This is top quality stuff and I'm learning so much. Thank you!
I've been surfing for 52 years and this was all spot on! Good reminders.
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.
I love these videos, so professional! As a beginner I've already learned so much. Thank you for making these!!!
When you and your buddy has the whole beach. NUT
SUCH a good video about etiquette. Well shot and well explained!
Was searching for the #3 example. Glad I found this video!
Thanks
Excellent video. I agree you must stay alert because even when you think itâs clear and you can catch the wave, you can be surprised if you hyper focus on a wave. Itâs happened to me and I felt badly and wondered how did I not see the surfer with priority?
at 1:30, i'd add 'for surfer A, would be nice to shout out to the next surfer to let em know to go'. and rule 2:38 is really important to follow if the waves are down the line barrels - it can totally stuff someone's wave up. Edit:typos
Dumpy Thompson EPIC đđ»đđŒđđŒđđŒđđŒ
I didn't formally know any of this when I surfed in my teens. But for the most part if you communicate who's taking which wave you're good. Usually people WILL holler at you if it looks like you're about to drop into their wave or doing something wrong so just listen. It's also essential to research conditions on multiple spots because there is a very finite capacity to most breaks and don't even get in the water if the water is more surfer than surface. If all else fails yell "PARTY WAVE" and just go for it lol.
What does Party Wave mean dave?
@@chrismccaffrey8256 more than one person surfing a wave
All this rules about waves is a hassle. I'd prefer doing it when the sun rises.
This was really well explained, and you had perfect footage to go with everything đ
A nice really comprehensive explanation of surf etiquette! Excellent video. I'll add one more thing: if you're a learner in the white water, watch the wave before you take off to ensure there isn't someone already riding it. If there is, then going for that wave too can cause a collision.
I've had beginners try to catch the inside shore break on a wave I've ridden from out the back, and actually aim for me, completely clueless as to what's happening. So dangerous! Being aware of other surfers is essential for everyone's safety. That fin on my board is big and sharp, I don't want it to connect with anyone's head!
I'm not a surfer and will probably never surf but I've always been curious about certain rules on how surfers know who gets the next wave. This was interesting to watch!
this is a very helpful video. thank you for posting.
Great video, thanks for sharing guys
Great video! Thank you. Also branding is on point!
Well done video. Love the on cue demonstrations! Maybe some local experts should watch this for a refresher hehe. I'm not saying don't say sorry, but saying sorry in a busy lineup will rarely help; just a head's up to anyone learning! So do your very best to not have to say sorry in the first place. Watch this video a few times before you go out for the first time.
this is so helpful thank you!!
Thankyou! This was very helpful đ
Excellent tips! For tip #6, communication can be challenging between a Deaf surfer and a Hearing surfer, although itâs possible for them to communicate with gestures and hand signals. There are several ways in nonverbal communication. Iâm aware that Hearing people use their voice to let others know. However, this situation does not apply to Deaf people, so we must use our eyes to look around us and read the surfersâ body language for extra safety and minimizing the risks of misunderstanding.
such a great video! Thank you!
Just started surfing and this has helped a lot .. cheers đ€đ»
Howâs it going ?
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. Iâm so glad I found this itâs the perfect video for what I need!
Very nice video, thank you.
Rule #1 of surf etiquette should be 'don't run others down'. Seen so many occasions where advanced guys nearly take out a weaker surfer by doubling back on a wave, simply choosing to take off when someone else is paddling out near them (This is on beach breaks where there is no definitive breaking point for the wave) or riding a wave for long enough that they're certain to cross paths with someone paddling out. Ultimately if you're more advanced you're going to be a stronger swimmer with more control over the board and a collision has the potential to be fatal. Had an incident just this week with a short-boarder fighting to stay up on a dying wave, changing his direction/speed etc, meanwhile not noticing that he was heading straight for me - had to shout out to get him to stop, did he apologise? - nope! It definitely helps if more novice surfers know where to be, but there are no excuses for dangerous behaviour.
I love your content! Keep it up.
Thanks @David, this means a lot. We are working on more Tutorial for you guys, meanwhile, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about surf technique. đ
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!
Thanks for the comment! Appreciate the love. Happy surfing đ€
Many thanks, seems like a lot of work to collect all that videos. For me as an absolute beginner it's great intro. I'm looking forward to see the reality in Madeira :-)
Can we have this on every tv channel, by the hour, on the Gold Coast coz tourists have no fkn clue
yeah feel like puttin signs up sayin DONT DROP IN
Douche
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. đ
Holy heck good stuff dude! Howâs it been lately? Iâm 27 & just picked up surfing myself, Iâm going again this Friday! My surf instructor is a Laguna Local who is 65 years old but can still shred a barrel. Thatâs cool that even at your age you decided to surf! Best of Luck to you đ€đ»
Gosh--I am soooo glad you made this--I had no idea the etiquette complexity. OMG I'm a body surfer on my own and was thinking of graduating to a body board and surfing with the surfers, but there are so many rules (which is good) but I don't even know what fork to use at dinner. I'm going to have to go and watch the guys for awhile before I even go near them--I hate fusses at the beach.
Itâs amazing you are trying to be respectful to everyone but also remember the ocean belongs to all of us, enjoy it!
thank you, i made some mistakes today in my first day bodybording.. nice video!
Very clear thanks sm
Wow... This video is spot on with a lot of content, demonstrations, and examples... In my opinion, probably the top 3 relating to surf etiquette.... Trust me: SoCal (South OC/North SD Counties) loves that Barefoot Surf Travel created this : )
Thank you đ, we are glad to hear it.
Love your videos!
Wow this some high quality video production!
Great video! But you should also make it clear that snaking isnt just paddling onto the inside around the other surfer at the last second. It should also be pointed out that if someone is paddling into a wave from further out a surfer further in can't just catch it deeper on the inside and have right of way.
The golden rule is that the surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave whom is up first and riding has the right of way, if it's ever in question about shoulder hopping, snaking by paddling inside the surfer dropping in, or paddling directly into and oncoming surfer those latter three are kooks, weasels, or wave hogs and deserve to be treated like scum, have a lovely day the rest of you that are in compliance.
Thank you great video
Love this, thanks
Great filming, great info...your vid inspires me to surf.
If you live at or near a beach, do it!! You'll thank me later!!
Hi! I love your channel I am learning a lot. I do have one quick question. What is the best way to quickly avoid (turn/evade) another surfer either whilst paddling out or when already on the wave?
Iâve been surfing for almost 5 years now and Iâm still watching this lmao
Sometimes it takes a while for it all to click. Keep at it.
I rode Ocean Beach, SF for ten years. Closest to the peak is the only surf rule I ever heard of. Just. b. Coolđ
Amazing video đđđ I could tell it wasnât easy to make
Very helpful.. thanks!
Awesome video. Thanks.
im 17 and getting into working. im gonna save up for a board and a car so i can become a surfer myself. im glad to have watched this so i can follow these rules. i dont even have any cringy moments where i broke ettiquete without knowing, so im chillin right now. heck. I never even boogie boarded, im gonna follow my dream though!
Iâm SO EXCITED I have my 1st surf class tmrw!! Iâm kinda stressing thatâs why Iâm binge watching ur Chanel lmao. I live in Malibu California
did you die?
Great đđŸ VideoâŠI learned a lot for my first trip đ€đœ
Love to hear it. Thanks for the feedback.
This was sooooo helpful!
Thankyou! Glad we could help. đđœ
Great video. đ€đœ
you guys the best!
I already surf and am intermediated pro donât know why I watching this but itâs it a really good vid with lots of good esxplsnations
so helpful!
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.
If only people followed these guidelines! Great simple breakdown everyone should see this before their first paddle out.
Well done
Awesome lessons
and I still live in a landlocked country and don't get to the ocean often xD but ey nice vid c:
Surfers in Dubai Sunset Beach should watch this. Thank you for this!
Jeshel Echin Iâve lived in Dubai, where do they have waves? I live in Malibu now so I would love to know!
@@maximpodgore6543 the one I'm referring to is in Sunset Beach right side of Burj al Arab, it could get too crowdy some times.
surfingdubai.com/pages/surf-report
check the link for waves. Better go outside dxb like Al khan beach in Sharjah or Um al qwain in Rak when there are crowd.
Esencial para todos los principiantes.
Thank's for the video! It's very usefull
Glad it was helpful!
Nice video! If only everyone kept to these simple rules :/
Amazing video
Best surfing video, I've ever seen ;)
Thank you đ, we are glad to hear it.
I don't surf but this was really cool. Always wondered how this stuff worked!!
Hey David- thanks for the love. âïž
only half an year in but didn't knew half of this, thank you
This series of videos are pretty good and I have no idea what the people giving thumbs down are thinking as beginners need to be shown the general rules. Rule #8 especially. You kooks, or beginners, need to hold on to your boards when the whitewater is heading towards them. IF you are unable to hold on to your board, go to a place with smaller waves and learn how to handle your board properly. Pisses me off when on some waist to head high day someone is ditching their board right in front of me. Just go to an empty spot on the beach and practice taking whitewater on the head for awhile. Turning turtle or duck diving, both require pointing your board directly into the whitewater. Practice what is a very basic and important skill to get it down. Trust me, back before leashes people weren't ditching their boards.
I love your voice it's so adorable
Itâs good to have this etiquette for safety . But thatâs also why itâs hard for a beginner to catch a good wave . When you only got one surfing beach so the peak area is packed with the more experienced surfers and they all go for the nice wave and you just have to seat there , itâs really annoying