Surfing Waves

When the other person is paddling for a wave and you think they will miss it so you start paddling while they are trying to catch it. This is when you're sitting slightly further inside than the other person.

I went surfing with my surf instructor/friend and he said I have absolutely no manners and was very pissed off. I explained that I would only take off if the other person doesn't make it. I also said the other surfer is a girl and so I didn't think she would catch that wave. He said that girl is the women's champion for that area. I was being disrespectful by paddling for a wave that she was trying to catch. He said it doesn't matter whether she catches it or not, and I shouldn't have even attempted to try and paddle for it. Admittedly I was hogging all the waves that day simply because at the time I was fit and I had a very thick board.

I felt really bad after he told me that and my other friend said the same thing that I was just being selfish. I wasn't even aware, I was just having so much fun. They just all left afterwards without telling me.

If she was the local and you weren't then you were rude however if she was paddling for waves and not making them then I kind of figure that is ok world champ or whatever. Usually if I were in that situation I would try to talk about what to do with her, like if she was missing a lot of waves then I would say I am going to paddle for the waves too and if you don't make them I will take off. The only reason she should mind is if you are making the wave break where you paddle in which case she might say she didn't want you making the waves break. If it is her break and you are a guest then act like one.

I think that if someone who knows what they're talking about picks you up on being selfish, then you probably were, at least a bit.

Paddling for a wave on the inside of someone who is already paddling for it is rude, yes, unless someone has already clearly demonstrated that they're paddling for everything and catching nothing. I doubt that the local champ falls into that category...

That one particular moment was not exactly "rude". But it was the culmination of what you where doing the whole session. That was the straw that broke the camels back. By you even admitting that since " she's a girl ", there in shows your "attitude" to others, and others picked up on that. Plus by you being on every wave, those around you kept tabs on you and had enough.

What you did to her is called "Poaching". I too sometimes wait off to the shoulder and if the surfer at the peak mis-judges or cant paddle hard enough, I go. But you were catching everything that day, and if you were in-front of me, I too would just give up, since I knew you would drop in and stiff me into the pit.

Give Aloha get Aloha. Give waves get waves.

That was 1.5 year ago. At the time I didn't know what is the peak, I just know I can catch waves. I didn't know she was a local nor who she was. She didn't say anything nor showed any hostility so I didn't know that I was pissing everyone off. I only just remembered it because I'm going to that beach again next week. I'll be more careful this time.

But that reminded me while I was in Portugal, everyone does it and it seems fine. Guess it's because it was too touristy.

The rules change from break to break.

BaNZ wrote:But that reminded me while I was in Portugal, everyone does it and it seems fine. Guess it's because it was too touristy.

Will that reminds me of the time this guy kept dropping in on me like 4 or 5 times. I finally ask him to not do that since it was dangerous and disrespectful. He said he was told "Waikiki is for beginners" and "dropping in is okay here". After you been surfing for awhile you learn not to reason with these type of people. ( you're just wasting your breath ). So for the next 1/2 hour, I happily "rode" in front of him on every wave he was on. He got the point.

BaNZ wrote: She didn't say anything nor showed any hostility so I didn't know that I was pissing everyone off.

That's what experienced surfers do. They know not to waste time on half goods that drop in. She knows you can't be on every wave and if needed to, she could surf circles around you.

But be careful sometimes, when people don't say anything. When someone speaks up, they care enough and are trying to help you out with advice. Don't get defensive but be appreciative. We all make mistake, live and learn.

Like oldmansurfer said it changes break to break because the locals make the rules, unless your in a tourist trap like Waikiki or my break in HB. They call it a line up for a reason, you need to sit back at a new spot and let some roll by to understand the way it works. Even talk to some of the people in the line up, if they see you're respectful they'll let you ride. Be Coooool Broooo!


Coach Riggs,

I went to surf at the same place again. I brought friends with me this time and I felt terrible. They had no surf etiquette. While I was in the line up I didn't even want to speak with them or let people know I'm associated with them. They were getting in peoples way and dropping in. It was just so embarassing. My friends are from the north part of the country where the beach is full of tourists and beginners so it is normal to drop in on each other. While I was in the line up, I heard the locals saying how dangerous and rude my friends are....

They kept getting told off but they just ignored them. I can understand because that is the surf culture of where I started surfing and they have never surfed anywhere else.

That is why local surfers don't like surfers from outside. They don't know the rules and mess up the lineup. I am pretty sure their would be some fist induced trauma to faces if they did that at some of the breaks over here. They got off easy over there.

Which is why I only surf inside...