Surf Etiquette

December 1998 - January 1999

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Michael Pardy

Surf kayaking is growing in popularity; it is a lot of fun, and great excuse to get out in the winter months. Surf kayaking has received increased interest and exposure, partly due to improvements in access to surf hot spots.

Unfortunately, all this fun has also resulted in tensions between longer term surfers and newcomers.

The tension is mainly a product of the increased numbers of surf vehicles on the water. (For example, skimboards, wind surfers, board surfers and kayaks). A poor understanding of the strengths and limits of each type of craft and of the relative control of each operator, and confusion over the rules of the road are all results of the growing popularity of surf sports.

Short of regulating beach access, we all have to live with this growth so that everyone may enjoy the waves. In fact, in the long run, the overall skill of participants will likely be improved by learning to share the surf.

Surfers can commonly be found at point breaks (surfwaves formed by "points" of land as opposed to beaches). Surfers at point breaks are concentrated at the "point", and as a result, have a greater chance of getting in each others' way.

In the interest of community standards, the following are some generally accepted guidelines for playing in the surf. These rules are designed to minimize collisions and "dropping-in" on another surfer. Dropping in is the major social faux pas on the water.

SURF KAYAKING ETIQUETTE

• The surfer first on the wave has right of way.

• The surfer closest to the shoulder (the point between the breaking wave [soup] and unbroken wave [green wave] has right of way.

• A surfer must avoid all other swimmers or surfers. If you don't have lots of control, wait until the way is clear, or ask the others to give you a chance without interference.

• In the event of an imminent collision, neither surfer has the right of way.

• Try and keep group size to a maximum of 8. In many places in the world, groups larger than 4 are considered a hazard.

• Be nice; if you've had a few rides, let others have a chance.

• Most importantly, be friendly and share, share, share.

Michael Pardy is the Adventure Coordinator at Ocean River Sports in Victoria