| THE
RULES OF SURFING |
 |
DON'T
TAKE OFF IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSE
|
| The
surfer who takes off nearest the peak and catches the wave first has
the right of way. Once someone is up and riding, do not attempt to
catch the wave if it will place you in their path. This is the number
one rule in surfing, and breaking this rule is the biggest cause of
altercations among surfers in the water. |
 |
WHEN
PADDLING OUT, STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF RIDING SURFERS
|
| If
you are paddling out, and another surfer is riding, it is your responsibility
to get out of the way and not ruin the surfer's wave. For example,
If the surfer is riding toward the left on the wave, it is best to
paddle right, parallel to the oncoming wave and out of the rider's
way, instead of trying to paddle over the green, open face of the
wave and potentially in the path of the rider. |
 |
DON'T
RIDE A LONG BOARD AMONG SHORT BOARD SURFERS
|
| If
you are riding a "long board," it is always possible
to sit further out than the riders on "short boards" and
catch the wave way before the riders on short boards have a chance
to catch it. There are some long board riders who ride long boards
just because they are not skilled enough to catch waves on short boards.
Then they ride in spots where only short boarders ride, and catch
the good waves on a regular basis. What they are doing is stealing
waves from others, and should be held in the same contempt as horse
thieves of the Old West. |
 |
FIND
YOUR OWN SURF SPOT |
|
As
a beginner, when you are still gaining knowledge about moving the
board around in the water and catching waves, it is best to find
your own spot away from a break that has numerous surfers riding
it. When you surf a part of the beach which no one rides, it is
like going back in time to beginnings of surfing when there weren't
a lot of surfers in the water. |
 |
IT'S
OKAY TO BE A BEGINNER, BUT DON'T BE A "KOOK" |
| Everyone
starts as a beginner. But as long as you follow the rules, show consideration
and make efforts to stay out of the way of others, you will never
be a kook. |