Surfing rules and right of way of surfing
- One of the most important things to learn as a new surfer is how to stay out of the way of other surfers.
- The surfer closest to the breaking wave has the right-of-way.
- Never get into the water and expect to catch the first wave. Wait until it is your turn.
- Avoid surfing in crowds until you can catch a wave safely, stand up and keep control of your board at all times.
- Never surf in designated swimming areas. You may injure swimmers.
- One of the best ways to earn respect when you are learning is to stay out of the way of experienced, veterans and local surfers.
- If you are in the water and a surfer is riding a wave towards you, either paddle for the open shoulder of the wave so that the riding surfer passes well behind you or paddle into the already broken wave so that the rider passes in front of you.
- If the wave peaks and breaks between you and another surfer you can both ride the same wave because you will turn away from each other as you each head toward an unbroken shoulder of the wave, right and left shoulder.
- When you are surfing, try going left and right on the waves. If you only go one way, you may get into the habit of not looking the other way and cut other surfers off. It’s also hard to gain respect when you show only dimensional surfing ability.
