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SURF
TIPS
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The Ten Commandments of Surfing
Surfing is a totally unique sport. Unlike sports such as football,
tennis or cricket, there are no set rules. You can enjoy the
excitement and freedom of surfing without ever entering a contest
- in fact, most surfers never compete. Surfing appeals to the
individualist who wants to escape the restrictions of rules
and umpires - It's the ultimate 'soul' sport.
Although there are no hard-set rules, there has been an unwritten
Surfer's Code of Etiquette which has evolved over the years.
For a beginner, it can be quite difficult trying to learn these
mysterious rules. So this is an attempt to explain some of them.
By no means is this the complete list of rules, but rather just
an attempt to help everyone cope with increasing crowds. The
crowds aren't going to get smaller - all we can hope to change
is our attitude towards them.
1. WAIT YOUR TURN If someone's been waiting longer than you,
he (or she) has first option for the next wave. At a pointbreak,
the surfer waiting longest usually paddles closet to the first
posssible take-off spot, which is called 'the inside' of the
wave. On a beachbreak he waits his turn at 'the peak'. So usually,
the surfer paddling closest to 'the inside' or 'the peak' has
right of way. Once he's caught the wave, it's his alone. (But
if he paddles and misses it, he can't expect to be given the
next wave too - he's had his chance and has lost his priority.
He should wait out a few waves as a return courtesy to the other
surfers who let him have his turn) Try to give a wave to someone
every session. It's the best way to make friends and become
'a local' , a recognised member of the lineup. If a wave's coming
and it's not your turn, try saying 'It's your turn mate' or
'You catch the first one, I'll catch the next'. Smile and say
'G'day' to other surfers. Hoot their good rides, after all,
we're all here in the water trying to have some fun! So long
as everyone waits their turn, surfing is fun.
2. THE SURFER ON THE INSIDE HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY Once a surfer
is up and riding on the inside, he has right of way. Sometimes
this can be a little contentious if the surfer in question did'nt
wait his turn. However many surfers feel that they have earnt
the right to the wave, either because their wave knowledge put
them in the right spot at the right time, or because their experience
make them game enough to take off at the most critical point,
often behind the peak or next to rocks. The next group of less
experience surfers wait their chance a little further down the
line. Usually each group then observes their own pecking order
and takes turns amongst themselves. If you take off and then
see someone is inside you, pull off.
3. DON'T DROP IN One wave, one surfer. It's to dangerous to
have more than one surfer on a wave. When you paddle for a wave,
always look inside before you take off, just in case someone
else caught it before you. Even if you think 'he's not going
to make it', let him have the opportunity to try. You can always
catch the next wave. To drop in is the uiltimate surfing sin
- there's mo excuse for doing it, ever!
4. DON'T SNAKE If someone's already paddling for a wave and
it's their turn, don't paddle inside them and try to claim the
wave out of turn. That's called 'snaking' and it's not allowed
in contests or free surfing. Be patient, wait for your turn,
the same as everyone else in the water. Don't be greedy, play
fair.
5. SHARE THE WAVES If two surfers are paddling for a beachbreak
peak, try to share it. If possible, call out 'You go left, I'll
go right'. If you paddle for a wave but realise you can't catch
it, call the next surfer onto it. Call out 'you go'. The courtesy
will be repaid later, friendships will be created and more waves
will be enjoyed.
6. KEEP OUT OF OTHER SURFERS' WAY When paddling out, keep away
from the surfing zone. If it looks like you might collide with
a surfer riding a wave, don't paddle for the unbroken shoulder
of the wave and get in his way. Paddle behind him and duck-dive
the foam. Pay your dues. Leave the wave face for the surfer
riding. (But it's still his obligation to aviod hitting you,
because he usually has more manoeurebility). When riding, if
it looks like you might collide with a paddler, avoid him at
all costs, even if it means proning out or pulling off. Don't
take unnecessary or dangerous risks. If you ding another guy's
board, immediately apologise and offer to pay for the repairs.
You never know - you might make a new friend, he might have
a gorgeous sister...
7. TEACH THE KIDS If you see a learner, give them a couple of
friendly hints. Maybe show them the safest spot to learn. Or
explain a couple of the more important rules. Encourage them
to enjoy being in the water. Then give them one wave. They'll
be stoked - and it'll make you feel good too. Pass down The
Aloha Spirit of sharing waves to the next generation (so when
you're and old codger some kid might give you a wave one day)
8. DON'T BE PREJUDICED All surfers have an equal right to their
fair share of the waves. Surfing has no room for prejudice.
Don't pre-judge anyone based on their sex, age, appearance,
the surfcraft they ride, their colour, race or religion. Duke
Kahanamoku, the famous Hawaiian who introduced surfing to the
world, chose a woman as his first Australian student. Every
surfer deserves your respect, so long as they follow the rules.
9. DON'T GET VIOLENT Never kick your board at someone who dropped
in. That's assault, a much worse crime than dropping in. Never
punch someone who dropped in. Ask any guy who's lost his cool
and the offender what they've done wrong. The other guys in
the lineup will usually back you up. If the offender persists
in being obnoxious, just paddle off somewhere else to surf alone
in peace. Stand up for your rights, but don't let someone else's
ignorance force you to get violent. Maintain your self respect
and the 99% of decent surfers in the water will respect you.
No wave is ever worth becoming violent over.
10. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS Learners should never surf in a crowded
area. Look for somewhere less crowded where you'll catch more
waves anyway. Join a 'learn to surf' school, get a guide book
and practice first on foamies in the shorebreak. If you're and
intermediate surfer, think twice before paddling out on the
big days. You could be a danger to yourself and the others in
the water. It's much better to find somewhere smaller or less
crowded, where your ability will be better able to cope. Don't
allow others to bully you into big surf.
11. THERE'S MORE THAN 10 RULES! Be prepared to learn more about
surfing every day. Things like looking out for each other in
big waves, etiquette when travelling to surf down the coast
or overseas, and of course, taking care of the enviroment we
love so much - our mother ocean. But mostly, regard other surfers
as your brothers and sisters. Treat everyone in the water as
your friend and they will become one. Do unto other surfers
as you would have them do unto you- Peter Neely (author
of INDO SURF AND LINGO)
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Call
Kip Jerger @ (310) 308-7264
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