beach break etiquette

[pmcaero]

Normally I try to stay away from crowds and crowded peaks because other people in the water make me lose my concentration at this stage.
But the beach breaks I surf sometimes get really crowded, peaks are pretty close and people shift around from peak to peak.
I don't think there is a real line-up, where whoever is closest to the peak takes the wave, then the next person, etc. I don't know how to assert my place. Maybe it's me failing to see the flow , maybe it's everyone else not giving a crap, who knows.
Any suggestions?

[nolte]

You need to more proactive in seeking out waves. If you're waiting for the peak to come right to you at a beach break you're going to be waiting awhile, and then you'll probably get snaked by some little grom anyways. When you see a wave approaching, start paddling for the peak (if it's relatively close to you). Others will be doing the same, but paddle for the peak. As always, surfer closest the curl has priority, but many times they pass or don't catch the wave, so be ready to take off. On the flip side, be ready get out of someone's way if they take the wave. Don't be afraid to communicate and split a peak either. Overall, you just need to be willing to hunt down a peak and paddle a lot.

[oldmansurfer]

I surf a beach break and there are numerous peaks that come in. They may seem somewhat random but they aren't. They peak in specific areas. When there are lots of people out before I go out I look for a peak that no one is catching and then paddle out to that area however I try to paddle around the surf so I don't get in the way of the other surfers. I may paddle out and let them catch a wave then move over into the area that has the peak that no one is catching, or I may just paddle outside them to the peak if it is outside to them.