etiquette question - was I in the wrong?

[AaronW]

I've been surfing regularly for not quite four years, mostly on a 9'6" performance mal. I get out 1-2 times a week year round, and while I'm by no means hot s***, I can control the board and feel comfortable in slightly overhead surf so long as it isn't too steep and hollow. Also, I like to think I have a handle on the rules of etiquette.

So here's the scenario: today I was surfing at a Victorian break mostly frequented by longboarders. Clean, 3ft lines, and with the summer sun, the crowds were out. I paddle into a head-high A-frame peak. I'm coming in from the outside, sledding down the green wave about to pop up when these two blokes on short boards, inside, both paddle into the same wave, one to the left of me and one to the right. No look over the shoulder from either of them. I figure I have ROW, so I don't back off and decide to go left. All three of us take off, me in the middle. My attention is on lefthand man. I see he's cut me off, so I break right and collect the other guy. I cracked him in the shins and one of their boards got me in the head. When we all come up, they're both giving me what-for, asking me where the f--- I thought I was going. Then they start giving me a lecture how "learners" should surf elsewhere. I offer an apology and shrug the rest of it off, but I don't reckon I was actually in the wrong, unless, of course, the rule is that fault always lies with the less experienced surfer.

Any opinions? Was I in the right, or am I just a kook?

[drowningbitbybit]

I reckon you're half in the right and half in the wrong...
Seeing as you're in the middle of two guys, presumably you've dropped in on one of them and been dropped in on by the other one?

From my reading of what you said, If you've gone left and then turned it around and collected someone that was also going left behind you, then yes, you were in the wrong.

I offer an apology and shrug the rest of it off

Sounds about right

[AaronW]

I hear what you're saying, drowningbitbybit, but this was a two-way wave, the two guys were mates and paddled at the same time. I didn't quiz them on their intentions, but it looked to me that righthand man was going right and lefthand left so whichever way I went I was deepest. But, yeah, probably not worth any more thought.

[LJSurfa]

We always go by 'Closest to the break of the wave has ROW'. I would tend to agree that if you are in the middle you have dropped one of them, unless one was pulling round the break.

[jaffa1949]

We always go by 'Closest to the break of the wave has ROW'. I would tend to agree that if you are in the middle you have dropped one of them, unless one was pulling round the break.

Just a thought for you on this, closest to the break does not always have right of way, young frother consistently paddles back inside deep across the face does not have automatic right of way,if he ignores guys who have been waiting patiently for a turn, a guy inside closer to breaking wave paddles out to sea, other surfers see this and take off, inside guy turns and takes off = snaking.
Often talking in the surf, I'm taking this one, I'm going left/right, I'm out of position / too deep, you go. Helps you get waves and saves misunderstanding.
You only have to be about the level at which you present yourself. BSing will sentence to the bottom of the food chain.

As for the original question, they pulled the two mates shuffle on you, sometimes even when you are in the right an apology helps, hassling doesn't.
There are also guys that hassle anyone else in the water, especially if you are not not riding a board on their approved list!!!

BTW If you are reviewing what happened you are not a kook, kooks don't even know what the hassle was about.

[LJSurfa]

Key is kind of in the title 'etiquette'. Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back. Generally (not always,as above) closest to break has it. Here on the South coast, UK we don't find a huge problem. I have had situations where me and another guy have both pulled back to allow the other to go and neither of us took it. Ha.

[jaffa1949]

Key is kind of in the title 'etiquette'. Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back. Generally (not always,as above) closest to break has it. Here on the South coast, UK we don't find a huge problem. I have had situations where me and another guy have both pulled back to allow the other to go and neither of us took it. Ha.

exactly etiquette makes a break a pleasant place to surf, I will be curious to others, and be courteous too. Got to admire UK surfers and their frozen particles if they surf in winter

[LJSurfa]

Key is kind of in the title 'etiquette'. Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back. Generally (not always,as above) closest to break has it. Here on the South coast, UK we don't find a huge problem. I have had situations where me and another guy have both pulled back to allow the other to go and neither of us took it. Ha.

exactly etiquette makes a break a pleasant place to surf, I will be curious to others, and be courteous too. Got to admire UK surfers and their frozen particles if they surf in winter

I surf all year round in the UK but don't really feel the cold anymore, my wife says it is because I have damaged all the nerve endings or something I think as long as everyone is considerate to others the whole scene will be a happy place. I am generous in my surfing and hope others will do the same.

[drowningbitbybit]

I think as long as everyone is considerate to others the whole scene will be a happy place.

I was out at Maroubra yesterday - conditions were very nice, the sun was out, the water was warm... and hence it was hideously crowded
But I remarked to a friend that, despite human soup, it was a nice laid back atmosphere. Noone was hassling for waves and everyone was doing their best not to drop in.

...then two guys came out and started hassling for waves and swearing at anyone they perceived to be in their way and the vibe in the whole line up just fell apart

So, yes, everyone.
And you two guys out there - I don't care how many waves you got...

[dtc]

...then two guys came out and started hassling for waves and swearing at anyone they perceived to be in their way and the vibe in the whole line up just fell apart

I can't think of any other sport or activity where there is such a huge gap between those who do the sport for fun and relaxation and enjoyment and those who treat every line up as a competition. Sure there are always people who are ultra competitive in whatever activity is occuring, but usually they are at least competing against people who are also being somewhat competitive.

But being ultra competitive against people who are not even competing is just a personality fault.

then again (picture by Joel Coleman at Saltmotion Gallery)

[esonscar]

Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back.

[IB_Surfer]

Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back.

LOL I'll try that next time

[LJSurfa]

Be curious to others and they will (hopefully) be the same back.

LOL I'll try that next time

It is true tho. If people ALL did it instead of laughing at the concept we would all be happy. Ok you might have to let 1 or 2 waves go to someone else but karma will reward you

[esonscar]

No offence dude but in all karma honesty if you karma drop in on my karma ass I'ma gonna karma ride right back over your stupid karma idoty.

Peace.

[^ Just kidding but on a glassy day ! : oh yeah, the above statement is a work of fiction and thus i claim global copyright forever - only re-use outside of surfing-waves.com if I agree and you pay me what I ask - so there (yes this a legal dictum)]