When it comes to selecting a surf spot for the day's fun, each of us has a responsibility to be aware of where we'll feel most comfortable. Surf spots with hollower, more powerful, high performance wave ranges - Pipeline, for instance - will almost always feature a higher-skilled and more potentially competitive pack of surfers. Generally at such Hot Zones, the better the surfers' general skills, the more waves will be ridden per surfer, and the more pressure will be on each individual surfer to keep up the pace.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cool Zones, surf spots with softer, easier and less critical wave ranges - San Onofre springs to mind - will usually feature lots of beginners or intermediate surfers, and the vibe in the lineup will be much more relaxed, with considerably less performance pressure on the individual.
In between lie a huge variety of spots, many of which aren't particularly fixed in the Hot or Cool Zone, but may instead veer back and forth depending on a given day's wave quality or crowd type.
It's important for all of us to recognize that by charging into a lineup for which we're not suited, we're likely to be frustrated and to disrupt others' surfing enjoyment. If you're not a high performance ripper, but just engaging in the early learning process or feeling like a cruisey session, then tackling a Hot Zone will leave you feeling way out of your depth and may even place you or other surfers in danger of injury. If you're a budding hot surfer trying to develop a high skill range and eager to ride with people of a similar intent, then paddling out at a Cool Zone is likely to leave you feeling unsatisfied and your fellow surfers irritated by your competitive attitude.
Simply by making a wise choice of location, you'll head off many of surfing's more vexed etiquette decisions at the pass.
2 Don't drop in on or snake your fellow surfer.
In other words, do not catch a wave once another surfer has claimed it by being in a deeper or more effective position at takeoff.
The drop-in happens like this: Surfer A is closest to the curl, paddles into and catches the wave, only to find that Surfer B -- the dropper-in -- has also caught the wave, from further out on the shoulder. Surfer A is then blocked from making a successful ride. The two surfers may collide, accidentally or deliberately, but it's unlikely that either will enjoy the wave to its fullest. At some critical surf spots, Surfers A and/or B may even be placed in physical danger as a result.
3 When paddling out, stay out of the way of riders on waves.
This has its roots in the same thinking behind "don't drop in" - once a rider has selected and caught a wave, all other surfers should do their best not to interfere with his or her enjoyment of the wave.
4 Learn to take turns.
Thou shalt learn to take turns. Hey, let's face it: Surfers are greedy creatures. We all want it for ourselves. But we're not alone on this planet, which means sharing the wave-catching opportunities during any given surf session.
5 Respect the vibe in the line-up.
In any surf session, respect the pre-existing vibe in the lineup. This holds true no matter your status, equipment, or ability level.
6 Always aid another surfer in trouble.
But don't put yourself in a situation over your head. Two surfers in need of help are in a much worse a state than one.
7 Respect the local surfers.
When traveling, thou shalt respect the local surfers and their rights and customs, without forfeiting your own right to a wave.
The term 'local' has nothing to do with where a surfer's home is located, yet everything to do with his or her long-term history at a particular surf location. If the surfer in question is committed to the spot, his history will very likely include epic days of surf and days of sloppy onshore junk; waves ridden with crowds and with one or two buddies; 'fish stories' about the biggest swell ever; sessions when the top local outsurfed some well-known visiting pro; sessions when for a precious hour or so, the surfer himself felt like he rode like Curren, or Slater, or Lopez. All of this - along with local camaraderie, the coming-of-age of the local grommets, maybe the death of one or more senior regulars - will have passed unshared by the casual visitor (ie., YOU).
8 Don't use your surfing advantages to abuse your fellow surfers.
This includes advantages such as surfboard length, surfing fitness and skill, local knowledge and authority, and (lamest of all) physical aggression and strength.
9 Be responsible for your equipment and respectful of others'.
First and simplest to recall: never let your surfboard go. Throwing your board and relying on your leash to get through a closeout or broken wave's whitewater is a very bad call in all but the least crowded and most critical of circumstances. Any other surfer within 10 or even more yards, particularly behind you, is immediately placed in serious danger; and there's a chance the leash may break or otherwise unattach itself, in which case your board's a loose cannon. This especially applies to riders of thick, heavy equipment, such as traditional longboards and some bigger-wave guns. You should consider the possibility that if you can't negotiate a surf spot without throwing your board away, the spot may not be for you.
10 Relax, have fun, and enjoy your surfing and that of your fellow surfer.
It can be done! The presence of others in the water is an ongoing fact of life in lineups worldwide. Accepting this is the key to a healthy, flexible attitude in the water.
Ok enough talk, now it's time to go surf.
*MAZATLAN SURF CENTER WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARCUS SANDERS AT SURFLINE.COM FOR SHARING THIS USEFUL PIECE OF INFORMATION.
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