Surfing Rules

Especially on the super-crowded North Devon beaches, surfing etiquette is the most important thing to learn before you set foot in the surf.

These rules are not so much rules as they are a proper code of conduct designed to keep everyone in the water safe and happy. People who break the rules will soon find themselves in an uncomfortable situation with some angry locals, and struggling to get any waves at all.

This isn't to say if you accidentally drop in on someone they are going to beat you up. However, like in any sport, there are rules, and if you're constantly stealing waves or not being respectful, you're going to have a run in.

With the growing popularity of surfing, the number of people in the water is on the rise and unfortunately surfing etiquette is gradually eroding away. The ocean is a dangerous place, and without proper thought to safety accidents will happen.

RIGHT OF WAY

The surfer closest to the peak of the wave has the right of way. This means if you're paddling for a right, and a surfer on your left is also paddling for it, you must give way to him or her.

There are a couple variations to this rule.

If someone is up riding a wave, don't attempt a late take-off between the whitewater and the surfer. If the surfer who's riding the wave wants to make a cutback they'll run right into you.

Just because the whitewater catches up to a surfer riding a wave, doesn't give you permission to take off down the line. Most competent surfers can outrun the section and get back to the green face of the wave.

On an A-Frame or split peak:

If two surfers are on either side of the peak, they each have the right of way to take off on their respective sides. It's not generally accepted to take off behind the peak unless there's nobody on the other side. These surfers should split the peak and go opposite ways

If a surfer riding a wave gets closed out with an impossible section or wipes out, the next surfer down the line can take off. If you're a very new beginner hold off on doing this anyway until you have a bit more experience.

If a wave closes-out and two surfers are taking off at each other, both have the right of way, but this is potentially dangerous, and it's advisable to kick out early to avoid a collision.

DROPPING-IN.

The is the most important part of surfing etiquette. Dropping in means that someone with the right of way is either about to take off on a wave or is already riding a wave, and you also take off on the same wave in front of him or her.

This blocks their ride down the line, and is extremely annoying, not to mention dangerous.

PADDLING RULES.

Don't paddle straight through the middle of the lineup where people are surfing. Paddle out through the channel where the waves aren't breaking and people aren't surfing. Sometimes at spread out beach breaks this is hard, but usually there is a less crowded area to paddle through.

When paddling back out, don't paddle in front of someone riding a wave unless you're well in front of them. You must paddle behind those who are up and riding and take the whitewater hit or duck-dive.

However, sometimes you'll just end up in a bad spot and won't be able to paddle behind a surfer. It's your responsibility to speed paddle to get over the wave and out of his or her way. If you don't do this, he or she may run you over.

DON'T DITCH YOUR BOARD.

This is important, especially when it gets crowded. Always try to maintain control and contact with your board. Surfboards are large, heavy, and hard. If you let your board go flying around, it is going to eventually hurt you or someone else.

This means if you're paddling out and a wall of whitewater is coming, you don't have permission to just throw your board away and dive under. If you throw your board and there is someone paddling out behind you, there is going to be carnage.