Surfing Etiquette 101

An average day at Bowls.

When Guy Hagi gives the word on a new swell in town, you can bet that all spots will have 50+ bodies in the water. Now, don't get the wrong impression, you still can get that perfect session with just you and your bro's out, but welcome to reality, those sessions are few and far in between. With summertime in full swing, you can bet there will be south swells and with the swells, come the crowds. We interviewed some local surfers and we want to share a few words and local knowledge that was shared to help everyone out there get some perspective in the line up make surfing more enjoyable.

The Basic's

We will go over three key issues to make your surfing fun and more enjoyable, no matter who you are or however you want to label yourself, pro surfer, weekend warrior, average joe or the "kook" that is just starting out, there are some basic guidelines to enjoying your time in the water.

Beach sign posted - winter 04-05

Know your limits

Lets get started, know your limits. be honest with yourself, don't put yourself or friends in a situation where someone will get hurt or even lose their life. There are beginner, intermediate and advance surfing levels for every surf spot, so make sure you surf at a spot according to you surfing ability, for example, if you have only been surfing for less than a year, it's pretty safe to say that you won't be ready your first winter to paddle out on a 10-12ft second reef day at pipe or 25ft+ tow ins at Jaws or Waimea. Check wave and water conditions and if you don't know, ask the lifeguards or someone that knows, like the signs read on the beach, "when in doubt, don't go out."

The boys sharing one at the bay.

Eh, no drop-in!

The next issue, is a common issue, that all surfers deal with, dropping in or getting dropped in on. if you been surfing for a while you have probably been a victim of someone riding in front of you or better know in surfing laymen's terms as "the drop-in". these were some of the quotes that people had shared about dropping in. "dropping in is for babies, it's all about courtesy and etiquette." Craig Inouye, Quiksilver Boardriders. As stated by Bert Ishimaru from Vesso Surfboards "Drop ins are never good, unless you are dropping in on your friends." from the image on the right, the boys sharing one at the Eddie Aikau 04. Nick Mita, pro surfer said "It's ok to drop-in, if you think the guys is not going to make it". Which one of these guys quotes are correct? We would have to say all of them, it's all depends on the situation, but if you don't want to be marked in the line up by the locals, it would be safe to say that it is better for you to not drop in on anyone and wait for the next wave to come. Another quote from Grant a local hawaiian surfer said, " It's all about RESPECT." this is the last key point to having a good time in the line up.

one surfer, burning another.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect, some people demand it, some earn it, some can even buy it, but the best wave to get respect is to give it. Now mater where you go in the world, if you respect the locals and the other surfers, more than likely, they will respect you. If you want to stick out like a "sore thumb" or have a bulls eye on your head, these are some things you should do.

1. Drop-in on everyone you can.
2. Go straight to the peak and catch all the waves you can.
3. Go out with a bunch of you friends to spot that you are not a "local"
4. Snake everyone in the line up, because your practicing for the next HASA contest.
5. If your just beginning, surf any advance level surf spot when there are waves. Bowls, the park, Kewalos, or any where on the north shore.

If you didn't read the few lines above carefully, these are the things that you don't want to do if you want to have fun and make friends in the line up. last note before you go out and enjoy your session, the unwritten law of the locals.

Kala, the leader of the Wolf pack.

The "Locals"

No matter where you surf, every spot has it's locals, these are the surfers that surf there spot all the time, big, small, or whatever conditions, they will be out there. What makes you a local, is all relative to each individual, but whatever it is, if your're not one of the locals, you are in someone else's territory and all the guidelines listed above are thrown out the window, all the local's hold the trump card. If you don't recognize the locals in the line up, they will pick you out of the pack for the slaughter, and send you in. So remember, if you are sent in, the best bet is to suck up your pride and paddle in or over to the next peak, or you will have waiting for you in the parking lot the local crew, and they won't be waiting to give you a cold beer or a hawaiian lei. If you are not from Hawaii, as quoted from a Volcom bumper sticker, "Welcome to Hawaii, now go home!" good luck, you will need it.

Hope these words of wisdom will help you enjoy your next session, if you have any feedback or insight to this article, please contact us.

see you in the water, peace out!

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