Don’t be these guys. Art: Damian Fulton.
One of the most important factors to consider when paddling into any lineup is who else will be joining you. While we have all had a handful of those magical sessions where you surf a high quality wave with only your handpicked surf buddies, this is not a day-to-day reality. Yet, there is a way to navigate the increasingly crowded – and often hostile –surf breaks, and still want to give out a few high fives.
Whether you are exploring an entirely new stretch of coast for the first time or surfing a wave down the road that you don’t frequently surf, consider these three fundamental rules and watch your surf stoke-ometer increase exponentially. Consider the ability a crowd has to influence the quality of your session. While it isn’t a surefire solution, more often than not, following these basic guidelines will give you more waves, which equals a better time. Who knows, you may even make a few friends to surf with the next time you paddle out.
1. BE RESPECTFUL.
First and foremost, respect is key in any situation. From groms that surf better than you to grumpy old guys and everyone else in-between, they all deserve your respect. Just as you expect someone you don’t recognize at your local spot to avoid burning you on every wave, you should reciprocate the same behavior when frequenting unfamiliar spots. While no one has an exclusive right to use the ocean, you still need to understand that people create very personal and emotional connections with their spot.
2. SMILE.
I have found that if you push out a good vibe, you typically get one in return. This means acknowledging your fellow surfers with a simple greeting and smile. This enables you to lighten to mood in the lineup and the cut the tension that often exists when you’re the new guy joining the local crew. By no means take this as a get out of jail free card to hop on the first wave that comes your way. At hyper-localized spots, it can be a good idea to let a few go by before unleashing your inner surf animal. The benefit of this is that the locals see your self-restraint and respect. While there is a time and place to hold your own and jump right into the swing of things in the lineup (while still following standard surf courtesy), don’t treat an intensely crowded spot like Lowers the same as a nook and cranny kind of place.
3. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.
All of these tips feed into the most broad and general rule of all: use your head. Remember how your kindergarten teacher told you to treat others how you wanted to be treated? Keep that playground rule in mind. Don’t swarm a small lineup with your twelve closest friends. Refrain from posting pictures of your remote and local spot to your Instagram with a geotag. While the locals might be okay with having you in the lineup, that doesn’t mean they want to invite every surfer within a 100 mile radius to join. Keep in mind the difference between surfing a state park and a wave you had to use binoculars and a 4×4 to find.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, using these tips will aid in your next quest to successfully navigate your future lineups. Regardless of whether you are the local or the traveling surfer, keep in mind the other guy’s perspective. Respect is a two-way street – have it for others, and you’re more likely to get it in return. Happy surfing.
