Surfing Waves

Surfing my usual beach last weekend on my longboard - I've been surfing for half a year. The beach is huge and used mainly by beginners, intermediates and surf schools.

There's no real line up as the waves roll right across the bay and folk surf where they want - plenty of space normally.

I was paddling out, plenty of space, and see a wave coming towards me so I prepare to turn turtle with the board. Also see an intermediate surfer coming down the wave in my direction - he sees me in plenty of time. I still roll over before the wave hits.

I'm guessing he will have had enough skill to surf past me but when I surface he is near me, off his board. I just wondered if I put him on more danger with having the fins up, but then I would have been wiped if I never turned over.

There was no trouble, but got me thinking. Any right or wrong here?

Naw I don't think you did anything wrong. He just happened to fall/ pull out where you turtle rolled . He didn't say anything, so I would just shrug it off and continue having fun.

this happened to me a few weeks ago, i couldnt see over the waves from where i was paddling up to the line up then a sponger pops up on the top of the wave like he was right over me about to drop, he didnt drop and i couldnt have duck dived but it was a bit too late i just let go of my board.

a lot of accidents happen that way. The moment in which a wave is about to crash with you either out of position or unable to duck and a surfer dropping in on same wave. Gives you almost no time to make a move. In sits like this its the surfer whos up and riding that should try to make a motion to get out the way as the guy getting ready to duck or take it on the head has no where to go. Sketchy one that.

Probably best to always watch where you are paddling out and if taking off on a wave dont just look left and right check out whos paddling out and make ajudgement call.

When you paddle out, try to strategize, don't just try to paddle out straight to the break. find the rip and use the channel. The channel is where most of the break don't break that well and not much surfers will be around there.

Of course that only works the first time you paddle out. Any time you catch a wave, surf it and then get off it to go back out, you are pretty much at the mercy of those waiting to take off around the area where you are now.

only had this once and i was the one riding but person in Q (no names) did not even paddle just stood there like a dead duck so i hit him i tryed to move but it was to late too by the time i see him