Beginner Surfing Etiquette?

[kyleisanoob12]

I didn't really know how to word the title, so I decided to just call this etiquette because I suppose it could be. If a beginner is riding a foamie longboard and decided to paddle past the white water and ride some of the bigger waves (chest to head high), would that be something that they shouldn't do? What if a beginner is riding a performance shortboard? Reason I'm asking is because I'm planning on taking a mini surfing trip in February, and I don't want to be stuck in the white water the whole time. I'll rent out a long foamie and probably try a few shortboards for the heck of it. I don't wanna get smacked in the face by someone's board because they are agitated. Maybe it's best if I go to a beach that's not busy? Would good surfers care if I went out to the lineup with a foamie/shortboard as a beginner as long as I wasn't in the way and made sure to use good etiquette?

[dtc]

Would good surfers care if I went out to the lineup with a foamie/shortboard as a beginner as long as I wasn't in the way and made sure to use good etiquette?

some might but most wont. You may not get much allowance ie people will snake you or paddle around and not let you get waves. But other places people will encourage you - depends on the crowd and 'the vibe'

Most surfers have no issue with beginners so long as the beginners follow etiquette and dont create issues or danger. A beginner on a wavestorm would (to me) be better than someone floundering around on a short board. If you stuff up on a wavestorm in the wrong place it wont break my nose

https://surfing-waves.com/surfing-etiquette.htm

that said, you as a beginner will likely enjoy it much more if you find a break that has no one or not many people rather than sitting in a large group all competing for waves. So if at all possible go to a secondary (not so good) break - as a beginner catching a secondary wave that a better surfer wont want is absolutely fine, because you will probably go straight anyway or you will be happy with a 2 second ride. So dont think you have to go for the best wave or compete with the good surfers - find a little spot somewhere that no one else is surfing and give that a go for a few sessions.

[Big H]

It won't be the board, it will be you. Beach boyz here rip on foamies....hang 10, reverse takeoffs, 360*s, ripping fast floaters, etc....the foam board will only serve to let them see you coming - you'd be found out soon enough anyway. Regardless of the board you're on, you should find a lineup that is your level....get in over your head and it will be hard for you to get a wave IF you do not take your chances competently from the start. Lower level lineup with other beginners will be more accommodating.

If you can't turn and go down the line, you're not ready to mix it in a better lineup....you'll be seen as wasting waves if you just pop up and go straight and then the snakes, back paddles, blocks, stuffs and the like will surely come out......

[BoMan]

A San Diego shop recommends 3 spots for beginners. Beaches with lots of space give you room to make mistakes without getting in anyone's way.

1. La Jolla Shores
2. Tourmaline Surf Park, Pacific Beach
3. San Fernando Court, Mission Beach

http://joeropersurfboardrepair.com/top-3-places-to-surf-in-san-diego-for-beginners/

[kyleisanoob12]

Awesome info, guys! Thanks! I'm a complete noob and have surfed very few times. I've gotten lessons and they try to get us on waves that aren't white water, but everytime I've surfed myself, it's been in white water cuz I'm a baby. Any good spots near San Diego to go with small waves that aren't white water? I know the guy above me (BoMan) gave some spots, so thanks to you brah!

[waikikikichan]

Would good surfers care if I went out to the lineup with a foamie/shortboard as a beginner as long as I wasn't in the way and made sure to use good etiquette?

1) You are a beginner because you don't know if you ARE or ARE NOT in the way.
2) What is good etiquette ? Respecting the level of that certain break and knowing your limits ? Staying out of peoples way ? ( refer to #3 )
3) If you rent a shortboard, not knowing how to ride one, you will be in the way more AND be less able to get out of the way ( since they're harder to paddle than a bigger board )
4) First time at a new spot, you won't even know the Ins and Outs of the break (literally). How are you suppose to know where the channel is, where to paddle around, which way the current pulls you, which guys will run you over for fun ?
5) People might not say anything until you kook out and waste a wave or blow someones wave.
6) If you paddled out where I surfed, even BEFORE you caught a wave ( they can already tell by the way you paddle ), people would ask you "Ho brah, you know what U doing or what ?" Basically they're telling you, you don't belong there. And don't take that as being rude, because if they are talking to you, it means they care about You, their Friends, their Body and their Board ( Not particularly in that order ).

My advice is to sit on the beach awhile and observe who is the WORST surfer out there. If he ( or she ) surfs better than you, go find somewhere else.

[jaffa1949]

Would good surfers care if I went out to the lineup with a foamie/shortboard as a beginner as long as I wasn't in the way and made sure to use good etiquette?

1) You are a beginner because you don't know if you ARE or ARE NOT in the way.
2) What is good etiquette ? Respecting the level of that certain break and knowing your limits ? Staying out of peoples way ? ( refer to #3 )
3) If you rent a shortboard, not knowing how to ride one, you will be in the way more AND be less able to get out of the way ( since they're harder to paddle than a bigger board )
4) First time at a new spot, you won't even know the Ins and Outs of the break (literally). How are you suppose to know where the channel is, where to paddle around, which way the current pulls you, which guys will run you over for fun ?
5) People might not say anything until you kook out and waste a wave or blow someones wave.
6) If you paddled out where I surfed, even BEFORE you caught a wave ( they can already tell by the way you paddle ), people would ask you "Ho brah, you know what U doing or what ?" Basically they're telling you, you don't belong there. And don't take that as being rude, because if they are talking to you, it means they care about You, their Friends, their Body and their Board ( Not particularly in that order ).

My advice is to sit on the beach awhile and observe who is the WORST surfer out there. If he ( or she ) surfs better than you, go find somewhere else.

Amen to all that!

[icetime]

The surfer makes the board, I see people on foamies that absolutely rip and kooks on shortboards, if you respect the lineup and follow etiquette no one really cares what you ride

[saltydog]

The place in the lineup has to be earned by showing your competency. So if you are a beginner it's very unlikely that you'd get a chance to paddle for a wave even with good etiquette. And if you don't have good etiquette... let's just say the others will let you know loud and clear. Until you can catch and ride most waves it'll be more productive for leaning if you look for a different peak.

[OlegLupusov]

I would recommend mastering white water in the first place. Making turns both sides and consistent pop-up!

And don't go in waves bigger than 2-3 feet with high period. And try the second smaller swell. Not all spot have them. Probably, it is better not to go to the spot that lacks the second swell.

Another option is to go to a crappy spot where the waves break immediately without forming a proper face. It is bad for more advanced surfers. But it does not matter for beginners because they go straight anyway and continue in the white water (quite often ride through the green water on the belly and only pop up in the white water).

I know what I am talking about. I have been a beginner for a long while. Probably, still a beginner:)