How to Understand Surfing Right of Way

One of the most important things to learn as a beginning surfer is how to stay out of the way of other surfers.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Women's Athletic Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Adhesive Traction Pads
• Board Shorts
• Surf Leashes
• Surf Waxes
• Surfboard Bags
• Surfboard Ding Repair Kits
• Surfboards
• Surfing Wet Suits

1. Understand that the surfer closest to the breaking wave has the right-of-way.

2. Remember that if you're in the water and a surfer is riding a wave toward 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.

3. Note that if you're sharing a wave with another surfer and the wave starts to break on the far side of the other surfer, he or she has the right-of-way and you must concede the wave.

4. Understand that if the wave peaks and breaks between the two of you, 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.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid surfing in crowds until you can catch a wave, stand up and keep control of your board.
• One of the best ways to garner respect when you are learning is to stay out of the way of experienced surfers.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[ijustsurf]

on 9/20/2009 RON from iJustSurf.com : "Right of Way" when it comes to surfing is not a universal understanding. Although there are some rules and etiquette that can be deemed as "similar", it is a mistake to assume that right of way in one surf break holds true in another. The best thing to do is LOOK and OBSERVE at how the regulars move and surf at the break for a while, and get to know the rules and etiquette that THEY follow at that specific surf break. Just because some surfers are dropping on one another doesn't mean you can either ... they may have years of knowledge on how each other surf and how each other move at that break ... Remember: Look (a lot), Observe (even more), Obey the line-up rules at that break, and then Paddle out! (LOOP) ~ Mahalo! Ron @ iJustSurf.com

[hansito00]

on 10/13/2008 Learning the rules is probably more important than learnng how to surf. I saw someone get hit by someone else's board today!

[worldwideweapon]

on 5/15/2008 also the first surfer to their feet and furthest out surfer has right of way.

on 1/18/2006 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 only have one dimensional surfing.

on 11/22/2005 If you are surfing on a longboard, or in a crowded spot, let other surfers take a turn. Create good surf karma for yourself by letting the shortboarders and the people around you have a wave or two now and then.