When surfing, it’s every man for himself – but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want in the water… to ensure that everyone feels comfortable in the water and to avoid accidents, responsible behaviour in the water is important. After all, we all know that the best surfers are the ones who have the most fun – not the ones who are at loggerheads with everyone else.
Responsible behaviour in the water – overview
Responsible behaviour in the water – The Golden Rule
Surfing is an extreme sport – this automatically means that dangerous situations can sometimes occur while surfing. But even if the adrenaline rush is ‘part of the game’, this should not lead to other surfers being deliberately endangered. Responsible behaviour in the water concerns us all: beginning surfers, experienced surfers, locals and travellers alike.
The golden rule and your common sense actually lay the foundation for responsible behaviour in the water: ‘Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.’
Surfing etiquette –the unwritten law of surfing
The unwritten law in the line-up: surf etiquette! It applies to all surfers in the water and in a good surf school you will be informed about it right from the start. It’s like in road traffic: there are also rules of right of way when surfing and responsible behaviour in the water is also characterised by anticipatory action in the waves. Simply surfing without paying attention to others in the line-up and even stealing waves is not only not nice, but can also lead to nasty accidents.
Right of Way
When surfing, the surfer who is closest to the breaking wave has the right of way. Even if several surfers are paddling towards the same wave, it is therefore super important to see whether the one who has right of way gets the wave. If so, everyone else has to back off. If not, the next person can try their luck!
The order in the Line-Up
Surfers wait in the line-up for the next set. Lined up like a string of pearls, you wait for the next wave and for yourself to reach the peak. Therefore, after surfing a wave, get back into the back of the line-up and don’t ‘snake’ the others by paddling around them and pushing your way to the front.
Don’t drop in!
If someone is already surfing the wave, you can’t just paddle in too! Such a drop-in is not only disrespectful to others, but can also lead to injuries.
The only exception: shout ‘party wave’ loudly and surf a wave together with your friends, which then deliberately ends in chaos!
Positioning in the Line-Up
Position yourself in the water so that you are not directly next to, in front of or behind other surfers. This way, you won’t block anyone and you won’t run the risk of knocking someone over or even hitting a board… As a responsible surfer, you make sure that you and your board don’t endanger anyone else.
Communication is key
Communicate with the other surfers in the water. Shout in which direction you are going to surf a wave so that the others can possibly go in the other direction. Co-ordinate with the others and cheer each other on while paddling when a wave comes in. That way you’ll ensure good vibes in the line-up!
And if something does go wrong: a sincere apology is always the first step. Apologise and make sure that the other surfer (and their board) is ok. Because to err is human, and you can (and should) learn from your mistakes…
Respect the other surfers
If you’re new to the surf spot, wait until you understand the dynamics in the line-up. In some places, there is a lot of localism and the local surfers are reluctant to share their waves with strangers. Wait, show respect and you’ll see that over time the locals will also let you have a wave or two.
The reverse is also true – if you see a new surfer in the water who is still finding their bearings, be patient, help them out and explain the spot if necessary. After all, responsible behaviour in the water also includes being considerate and helpful.
Responsible behaviour in the water – Choosing the surfspot
When you arrive at the surf spot, take your time to check and observe the conditions: are there already other surfers in the water, how fast are the waves coming in and how big are they? Is there a recognisable current to be aware of? If it’s your first time at a surf spot, ask other surfers if they can explain the spot to you. Sometimes there are channels that are not clearly recognisable at first, or sandbanks and rocks under water that you don’t immediately notice as a newcomer. However, this information is essential for your responsible behaviour in the water, as it allows you to avoid potential dangers as much as possible right from the start.
Responsible behaviour in the water – your surfboard
Your surfboard is – as our surf coaches like to say – your best friend in the water. It helps you through the waves and surfs the best waves with you. However, it is also a danger to you and other surfers, especially if you can’t control it. Many beginner surfers want to get away from the huge soft top as quickly as possible in favour of a cool, short hardboard or a stylish longboard. These surfboards make for fantastic manoeuvres, but paddling is much more difficult and if the board does go flat, it can be more painful than contact with a foamie.
Responsible behaviour in the water therefore also means choosing a surfboard that suits the conditions and, above all, your own surfing skills. This will help you feel much more comfortable in the water, surf lots of waves and improve as a result. If you just paddle after the waves on a surfboard that is too short, the fun will soon be over…
Responsible behaviour in the water– Assess your surfskills correctly
Don’t we all dream of riding this one really nice wave one day, like the surf pros do? However, there is a long way to go and your responsible behaviour in the water is also demonstrated by the fact that you can correctly assess your surfing skills and seek out appropriate surf spots.
Don’t put yourself and other surfers in danger by going to a spot with waves that are too strong, too fast or too big on a day that exceeds your abilities. Pushing your limits is part of the sport and is an essential part of the learning curve. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognise when it’s too much of a good thing. If you realise that your skills are not yet sufficient for certain waves in certain conditions, stay on land, watch the other surfers and keep training to improve your surfing skills.
Resposible behaviour in the water – Protect what you love!
As surfers, we spend a lot of time in and around the sea and therefore experience first-hand what climate change and environmental pollution are doing to the oceans. Responsible behaviour in the water is therefore not only about treating other surfers with respect, but also about treating the environment with respect. Don’t leave any rubbish on the beach, or even better: always have a rubbish bag with you and combine your surf session with a little beach clean-up.
You can find more ways to protect the ocean by doing little things here!
Responsible behaviour in the water
Responsible behaviour in the water is characterised by many different qualities. Above all, mutual consideration and communication are important. And if you are ever unsure, are stuck in your surfing or would like to try out a new surf spot, don’t be afraid to take surf lessons even if you are already an advanced surfer. The surf coaches know the surf spots like the back of their hand, will help you find the spot that suits your abilities and will give you all the information you need so that you can surf there independently after a while.
By behaving responsibly in the water, you can contribute to the ‘good vibes’ in the line-up and ensure a respectful and environmentally conscious surfing experience. This will make the surf session much more enjoyable and safer for everyone.