|
People can get very aggressive when you get in the way or mess up a wave they are riding. Surfing is becoming very popular and with more surfers in the line-up the more potential for collisions and hostility increase. That being said, it is extremely important to follow some simple rules of proper surfing etiquette when learning how to surf. First and foremost, you should understand what etiquette means. It means laws that govern social interaction, in other words, manners. Unfortunately, not everyone has good manners when it comes to surfing, but that does not excuse you from good behavior. Always respect other surfers rights to enjoy the waves safely. When trying to decide the proper choice to make always err on the side of caution. It is always best to develop the skills and awareness to recognize and avoid dangerous situations, before they happen. To avoid a collisions never paddle in front of another surfer riding a wave. Always paddle behind the rider, in the opposite the direction he/she is heading. The rider always has the right of way, but this does not excuse the rider from being safe and avoiding potential collisions with surfers on the inside. We are all responsible for our safety and the safety of others in the line-up. I always advise my students to act as if no one in the water is using a leash, because they do break. Remember, where the rider stops and where the board stops its forward momentum, are usually quite a distance from one another. Also, many surfers don't use them and when they fall that board can cause a lot of damage if it hits you. Be aware and get out of the way. Never paddle for or drop-in on a wave that someone else is already riding. That would be bad etiquette. The right of way goes to the person riding the wave. Think about it this way; if you were riding a wave you wouldn’t want someone to ruin your ride (or worse, have a collision with you). So remember, it is always best to to err on the side of discretion. There are more waves to come if you wait your turn. And lastly, give respect and the chances are you will get respect in return.
|
Surf Lessons 
