Looking for Tips and Advise on "Locals Only" breaks

[illegalsmile]

Hi, I am new to surfing. So far spent one day catching some waves and I am hooked. I am starting to research and understand the unspoken rules and laws of surfing. One of the biggest concerns were "locals only". I have lived on the Jersey shore all my life but have not tried surfing until now. Beaches like Belmar, Avon, and Manasquan from what I understand are locals, and I mean people with alot of experience rather than just where they live. These are not private or secret beaches but more public. I wish to surf these breaks until fall but I do not wish to disrespect or have issues with locals.

What can I do to approach these spots without trouble and be able to surf there? Is there certain gestures or saying of words to gain the respect of surfers? Any tips are appreciated. I wish to give respect and earn respect.

[oldmansurfer]

I don't know about the locals elsewhere but in Hawaii this is what I would suggest. Go and watch the others surf. If they are all better than you don't bother going out. If you are better than them it won't be too hard to earn their respect just follow the rules of the lineup. If you aren't better than them then just be patient and polite and give them lots of room and make sure you follow the rules. Maybe in your case you could meet some of the surfers on the beach and talk to them about how to go about finding a place in the lineup. Good surfers at good beaches don't like to waste waves by letting a kook catch a wave and goof it up so if the crowd is out of your league then it's most likely a difficult situation.

[waikikikichan]

Is there certain gestures or saying of words to gain the respect of surfers?

Paddle up to each surfer at the break and go " Hi there, I'm new to surfing, here's $20 bucks ".

Seriously, it's Actions not Words. Learn how to surf. Learn the unwritten rules of surfing in general and the special ones at the local break. I don't care how nice you talk to me and wave hello or throw the shaka, if you drop-in, waste a wave, paddle in front, throw your board........then you aren't welcomed.

[illegalsmile]

I don't know about the locals elsewhere but in Hawaii this is what I would suggest. Go and watch the others surf. If they are all better than you don't bother going out. If you are better than them it won't be too hard to earn their respect just follow the rules of the lineup. If you aren't better than them then just be patient and polite and give them lots of room and make sure you follow the rules. Maybe in your case you could meet some of the surfers on the beach and talk to them about how to go about finding a place in the lineup. Good surfers at good beaches don't like to waste waves by letting a kook catch a wave and goof it up so if the crowd is out of your league then it's most likely a difficult situation.

Definitely trying to avoid being a kook. I want to approach everything in a smart, safe, and fun way so surfing stays enjoyable for others and myself. What if there is room on the break? Surfers are out there but there are un-ridin waves? And is it much of a problem if I wipe out and waste a wave? Even pros still wipe.

Also this time of year we have a lot of "Bennies", tourists from up north that come down to our beaches. This causes havoc and I see why kooks are kooks. Obviously in this situation the unspoken rules don't apply. It is every man for himself and there no line ups and plenty of drop ins. Since I am still learning should I just keep practicing and impact the bennies surf? Of course try to keep some respect.

[illegalsmile]

Is there certain gestures or saying of words to gain the respect of surfers?

Paddle up to each surfer at the break and go " Hi there, I'm new to surfing, here's $20 bucks ".

Seriously, it's Actions not Words. Learn how to surf. Learn the unwritten rules of surfing in general and the special ones at the local break. I don't care how nice you talk to me and wave hello or throw the shaka, if you drop-in, waste a wave, paddle in front, throw your board........then you aren't welcomed.

Thanks, I figured it is mostly actions. I want to learn how to surf and practice safely without impacting others. I am observing others and researching all the unwritten rules as much as I can. As I mentioned in the previous comment, how much does wasting a wave impact the line-up? Everyone wipes out even people with years of experience.

[oldmansurfer]

Well if you are a newbie in the lineup you aren't allowed to waste waves but if you are a veteran then it's ok as long as it doesn't happen too often.

[oldmansurfer]

Here is some other info on rules of the lineup https://surfing-waves.com/surfing-etiquette.htm

[waikikikichan]

how much does wasting a wave impact the line-up? Everyone wipes out even people with years of experience.

Wasting a wave is not Wiping out. When the locals could catch a nice wave coming in, but have compassion for you ( as we say in Hawaii, sharing some Aloha ) and say "You go" or "Get this one", and you miss or can't get on, THAT is Wasting a wave.

Wiping out trying to perform a move ( cutback, noseride, etc. ) happens. But just getting to your feet, wobbling out, and flip over backwards means you missed the wave also, thus you wasted the wave.

[oldmansurfer]

Hahahaha well sometimes when they say "You Go or Get this one" it is just a surfer trying to bait you into a wave they don't want and maybe even one they can't catch anyways.

[Big H]

.....or the wave behind it is better....clear the path so to speak...

[waikikikichan]

Big H and Oldman , Dudes !, you guys are breaking one of the unwritten rules ! We're not suppose to let the newbies know "why" we're being nice to them. Shhhhhh !

[illegalsmile]

Haha well thanks guys. Your advice is appreciated and I am willing to keep observing. Enjoy the surf!

[saltydog]

As a beginner if the lineup was crowded mostly with better surfers I tended to catch reforms or stay in the whitewater. I also stayed really off to the shoulder and went for only the smaller waves that no one had tried for... this can be a really bad position and some days I didn't catch much of anything. So it's tough as a beginner to have respect for more advanced surfers while trying to learn. The best bet is to paddle out on less crowded periods. At my local break Sunday afternoon is the busiest. At least during the summer when there is little swell and tons of beginners flock around the expectation for good rides is low enough that there is more tolerance for wasted waves. And thankfully I haven't been baited YET

[Big H]

I think you need to get a feel and gauge the spot....I've surfed before at breaks frequented by better surfers that on the day were relatively poor but the lineup was well organised and competitive...despite the wave conditions being "beginner friendly" the lineup definitely wasn't and there were a fair amount that just did not get a single wave or any sympathy/empathy.............on the flip side I've been to breaks where conditions were better than usual but as the spot is a training ground for surf camps and schools, it was as it always is, overflowing with beginners....lineup; well there wasn't really any lineup....everyone paddled for every wave and if you caught one first thing to do was to defend your legs then look to thread the needle because between the others on the wave riding straight, the student/instructor couples in the pits waiting to be pushed into waves, finding a line without giving or getting contact was a challenge....but the vibe was positive and everyone with any awareness understood that:
1) It's a beginner/surfcamp/surfschool spot
2) Getting mad about poor etiquette was like trying to hold back the tide with a bucket.


Choose spots that match your ability, both conditions and those who frequent the place. Practice with the goal of learning how to at least not waste waves....be able to catch waves you go for at a high percentage....no one really cares too much what you do on the wave, just so long as you don't either waste or ruin a wave for someone else (drop in, paddling so that you block them off and then NOT make the wave, paddle right up the gut screwing up someone's ride, positioning yourself out on the shoulder but inside so that you can take the smaller waves that come through unknowingly sitting like roadkill right in the middle of the highway when average or decent sized waves roll through and are taken by the more experienced who catch deeper).

Don't be this guy - don't shadow too close.... a few sessions ago I had a newbie shadow that stayed 5-10m away from me to the left no matter where I moved....I even paddled down the beach 100m then back up to see what he would do.....stayed right there....worse than that though was that he paddled for every wave I did, would pull off if I pulled off, would surge if I surged and would let the wave roll through if I did....kudos to him for trying to learn via emulation, but annoying as all hell.....

[K10Bay]

I would say as you're that new you will spend all your time in the whitewater and not riding the open face therefore you won't be surfing the same area as the locals so it won't be a problem, just make sure it is not a secretspot as people won't appreciate you making them obvious to find or be particuarly welcoming to your presence there.

This will change when you first start catching unbroken waves (probably before you're getting down the line) at this stage you are probably gonna piss off a few people it's a normal part of development and we've all been there. Your best bet is to go to more popular beaches (as people will expect begginers) on less clean days (less people so easier to catch waves, if you're not on the open face then the wind matters alot less) and just do your best to stick to etiquette.

At the end of the day if you do your best to stick to etiquette and you apologise for mistakes most people will be cool with it.

[icetime]

To be honest if you're a beginner and surf out back, my only advice is to go and surf but don't act like you own the place, don't paddle for every wave, only paddle for the spares that no one takes instead of charging, if you're in closer than where the lineup is you can take off when no one goes for a wave.

[illegalsmile]

My main concern is showing up to a spot but before I even have a chance to prove I have proper etiquette, follow the un-writtien rules, and I do not waste waves, and someone slashes my tires or steals my stuff. I want to avoid any violence. Is this mostly just stories and nothing to worry about? Again theses are public beaches. Nothing private or secret.

[BoMan]

Here's advice from the owner of my favorite surf shop.

1) Always study the lineup before you paddle out. If the conditions are beyond your abilities, go somewhere else or surf another day.

2) Whenever possible, paddle around the lineup, not through it.

3) Beginners/novices should stay off-to-the-side of the crowd, observe, and only attempt to catch waves that pass through unridden.

4) If a collision between a paddler and a rider looks imminent, paddlers should “keep their line” and let the rider be the one to take evasive action.

5) Try your best not to be a wave hog – wait your turn.

6) Never ditch (abandon) your board.

7) Unless previously agreed to, it’s one surfer per wave, or two surfers per two-way peak.

In general, first surfer up, closest to the curl, has the right of way.

9) If you inadvertently drop-in on someone, immediately and safely exit the wave, then apologize.

10) If you lose your board, you are responsible for it. This includes any surfboard damage or injury that may result.

11) Apologize if you drop-in on someone. Explain firmly yet kindly when an unknowing novice breaches etiquette. Do your best to share. Help other surfers in trouble.

12) Always pick up your trash.

[oldgrom22]

Thnk you're worrying too much. However, the main thing is at this point, you're still a beginner and really shouldn't paddle out to the main peak at any break. Stick to beginner friendly beaches until you gain the necessary skills or at the least go away from the main crowd and find a lesser peak down the beach. As others have said, once you're ready for the main, follow proper ettiquette(you should know most of the unwritten rules at that point), be respectful and you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[oldmansurfer]

If you are at a break where all the surfers are better than you, expect to not get many waves. If the surfers aren't aggressive they may let you try a bit. If you fail they may then crowd you out so you won't be able to catch waves or drop in on you if you do catch waves. As far as not getting into fights go just don't get in anyones way or hinder their surfing.