6 General Rules of Surfing
1. Be Safe ,Be Patient, and Have Fun!
2. Who Gets the Next Wave?
The person closest to the curl (breaking part of the wave) has the “right of way.” If the wave is breaking right, the surfer to the outside (furthest left), or closest to the curl, is in position to catch the wave. The reverse is true of a left-breaking wave. Communication is key when catching waves, so call out which way you're going.
3. Respect the Beach and the Locals
You want to keep it light and fun, and hassles with locals will certainly sour your session. Some spots are known for intense localism, while others are mellow.
4. Paddle Around the Take-Off Zone
Paddle around a defined peak or take-off spot to avoid oncoming surfers. A surfer dropping in to a wave has little room to maneuver around you.
5. Hold on to Your Equipment
Surf leashes enable you to spend more time surfing than swimming. However, the leash is best used as a tool of last resort, and not as a means to power through breaking waves. When confronted by a breaking wave, you should try your best to hold on to your board and not let it fly off behind you.
A surfboard has many sharp points, and should be kept under control. If it is difficult for you to control your surfboard, you should choose a less crowded spot until you have mastered the duck dive, or other wave-avoiding techniques.
6. Share the wealth
Don't be wave hog.
Newt's Surf Co.
