Help with advancing from beginner to experienced

[exceta]

1. The #1 unwritten rule in surfing is the surfer closest to the curl has priority. If you are on the shoulder of the wave and someone else is deeper (closer to where the wave is starting to break), they have priority. Always look before you take off on the wave. Beginners are notorious for just paddling into anything unaware that someone else has the wave already, and has priority. I try to stay away from beginners for this reason. I do not want to get in a collision with anyone while I am surfing. I just figure they will learn. Sometimes that means they may get into a collision, or get yelled at, or at the worst get into a fight. I think it's better to know the rules before any of this happens.

So I am a new surfer and I'm still in the process of learning and I understand the "unspoken rule". I'm wondering what is the best way for me to get some waves when all the more experienced surfers steal them before I have time to set up. Yes, I understand that this is their "home turf" and whatnot, but I want to learn to surf and I've seen that it takes a lot of practice. Does anyone have any advice? I know I can be a dick and and just crowd the prime area but I don't want to get nice waves then mess up and no one gets to ride it. Kind of a catch-22...

Thanks.

[drowningbitbybit]

the more experienced surfers steal them

No they don't, they were never yours in the first place.
In theory, you have exactly the same 'rights' as the experienced surfers - so if its your wave, take it.
But realistically, as a newbie you wont often get that chance.

So four ways of doing this... (until Jaffa comes along and adds some more)
1. Go to a different, beginner friendly spot. The experienced guys will usually be surfing a more critical wave that you shouldnt be on anyway.
2. Surf the inshore break. If its a beachie, go and surf the whitewater or the smaller clean waves. The experience crew wont be interested in these.
3. Surf on crappy days. If its onshore and raining, you'll get your pick of what waves there are.
4. Sit on the shoulder of the wave (ie away from the peak where its breaking) and take the leftovers.

Its a rite-of-passage. We've all been through it.

Some of us still dont get waves

[behindThePeak]

^^^ spot-on. first learn to surf, then learn to surf in a crowd. navigating the pack is an art in itself.

exceta, where are you surfing? (city) most places have beginner spots and i bet someone here knows one by you. each break seems to have it's own flavor of the standard rule set. some are more conducive to rookies than others.

[jaffa1949]

the more experienced surfers steal them

No they don't, they were never yours in the first place.
In theory, you have exactly the same 'rights' as the experienced surfers - so if its your wave, take it.
But realistically, as a newbie you wont often get that chance.

So four ways of doing this... (until Jaffa comes along and adds some more)
1. Go to a different, beginner friendly spot. The experienced guys will usually be surfing a more critical wave that you shouldnt be on anyway.
2. Surf the inshore break. If its a beachie, go and surf the whitewater or the smaller clean waves. The experience crew wont be interested in these.
3. Surf on crappy days. If its onshore and raining, you'll get your pick of what waves there are.
4. Sit on the shoulder of the wave (ie away from the peak where its breaking) and take the leftovers.

Its a rite-of-passage. We've all been through it.

Some of us still dont get waves

So four ways of doing this... (until Jaffa comes along and adds some more)
I had to write something on the strength of that.

Firstly do 1 to 4.
Being able to take your wave, and then make your wave sarts to put you more into the foodchain.

Now about the unspoken rule it is basically right but if somebody continually paddles back to the deep inside and stakes out as many waves as they can and other people have been sitting for a while this can be seen as a little greedy. The two groups that are more guilty of that are longboarders who can take off further outside and good young shortboarders who take no notice of a set up where there is turn taking.
You can watch an orderly surf spot and crew descend into a frothing rabble when this starts to happen.
The other thing about learners is they have a sad habit of sitting looking for waves, where when the sets come through the riders will be laying over their bottom turn.
The learner then paddles like crazy to get over at the shoulder and not take the white water on the head thus ensuring the riding surfer has a choice ( run over the learner or get smashed himself).
Final Uncle Jaffa additive, observe the break, can you handle the break can you handle the level of the surfers there If not go somewhere else where you can learn in peace.
Being abused or hurt does not enhance the experience

[exceta]

By steal, I meant there are at least 25+ people out there and the same 5 keep getting the waves. And I surf in the Santa Cruz area. And yes I've been trying to get the leftovers but it doesn't help me learn the proper "take off". Thanks for the advice I'll try that. I also figured if I go with a group we can just share waves. More fun for everybody and if you crash, well you know the person

[behindThePeak]

you'll get profiled pretty quickly in a crowded break like that. blow a few decent waves and you will no longer be included in the rotation. if indeed you even were included. people will watch how you paddle, what you paddle, who you talk to, what shape your in... everything.

this is discouraging when you're learning but it will make sense later. as for those 5... yea, that's common. surfing produces some interesting group dynamics. you'll learn to work with them in time, but you'll need solid skills first.

some breaks are more patient than others. in town try Cowles or Capitola. better yet: go north of Davenport or south of Brighton Beach. either direction will bring you to big empty beach breaks where you can usually find a peak all to yourself. hone your kung fu out there and you'll be surprised how much more approachable the better breaks will be next season.

[garbarrage]

Q. How to get waves at a crowded break?
A. Go deep or go somewhere else.

It can be tough if you are out in good conditions and not sure there will be other places as good elsewhere. In this situation, the only way to get waves is to be the guy who has priority. If you (like me) aren't very good it will mean wiping out a lot, but you can surprise yourself at the waves you do make. Also, at some breaks (not all, line-ups vary greatly) you will get more respect with this approach. You won't be in the way of the good surfers, and they will see you eat it and not give up. Have actually been cheered on at a pretty heavy local spot for making a wave after eating it about 10 times first. This is just beginners kudos, and does very little for your place in the pecking order though.