Surfing rules / Etiquette
General
Surfing is a lot of fun, but never forget: the sea is always more powerful and stronger than you! It is therefore very important to familiarize yourself with the basic safety measures and to observe the surfing rules!
- First of all, you should know your physical and mental limits and not overestimate them.
- The most important condition for surfing is, of course, that you can swim well.
- Some basic fitness should be present.
- Find out about the sea conditions on site, e.g. whether there are currents, how they behave and what the sea bed looks like.
Basically: You can learn the relevant knowledge and the necessary safety rules – but not the ability to correctly assess the real situation in the sea. And especially here, beginners should not do without the support of an experienced surf instructor or surfer.
The Rules on the water
When surfing, much like driving a car, there are certain rules that must be followed! Especially as a foreign tourist and beginner you should always follow them to avoid trouble! Always respect the locals!
The right of way
The surfer who is closest to the white water, i.e. on the inside of the wave, always has the right of way. There are no exceptions here!
Keep paths clear
If another surfer is about to take a wave, it is important not to get in his way. So always paddle out of the way! The same applies when you paddle out again, of course! So always take the longer way – you are also annoyed when someone paddles into your way…
Greetings
When you’re in the water, say hello to the other surfers – you don’t have to shake hands with everyone personally, but a nod is usually very helpful!
Take care of your own board
Always hold on to your board! Flying around wildly, it can quickly become a danger to others! Even if the leash makes the board bounce back, it is a great danger to yourself!
The boards of other surfers
Always pay attention to the boards of the other surfers. If another board is flying towards you, jump directly off your own board and dive as deep as possible!
Crashed surfer
Never paddle a wave when there is still a surfer in front of you in the water. Always wait for the next wave so you don’t hurt other surfers! Safety first!
Are you sure enough?
Never call another surfer, especially a local, out of a wave – unless you are 100% sure you are standing the wave!
For your own safety
The first attempts to stand on the surfboard always bring falls, so-called wipe outs. But if you follow a few rules, you can already minimize the risk of accidents here:
Get warm
To reduce your own risk of injury, it is important to warm up well before surfing. Running, jumping, stretching and loosening exercises are the right preparation.
“Proper” fall down
It is important to always stand loose & slightly squatted on the board! Make sure that if you fall, you always fall next to or behind the board – never in front of it, otherwise the risk of being hit by your own board is very high!
In/under water
Most of the time the waves swirl you strongly, so that you easily lose your orientation, sometimes even panic. This panic is usually unfounded, as the body quickly resurfaces by itself due to buoyancy and you are usually rarely underwater for more than 5 seconds.
Emergence
Always protect your head with your arms – Even if you run out of air!