Surf Etiquette and Handling Wave Snakes

By Rick Bickerstaff

It's the big season here in the South Bay of Los Angeles, and with more surfers than miles of beach, it can get a little crowded out there. My last couple of sessions were riddled with drop-ins and ignored lineups, and so I thought I'd write a little refresher course on surf etiquette and handling those who don't comply.

Not an unusual crowd at Manhattan Beach

1. Respect the lineup: There is a finely crafted, unspoken system for properly sharing waves, particularly at a point break where there is only one or two spots where the wave even breaks. It is called the lineup. Essentially, when you paddle out to the break, sit in the back of the line. As sets roll through, the surfers at the top of the lineup will catch the waves, and then the line moves forward. After a few sets, you'll be at the top. Catch your wave and it all starts again. Paddling to the top of the lineup right away is disrespectful and can sometimes put you in bad standing with your fellow surfers.
2. The inside man gets the wave: If two surfers are going for the same wave, whoever is closer to the peak (where the wave is breaking) gets the wave. If you're not on the inside, you better pull out! TIP: When you are paddling into a wave, ALWAYS look both ways before dropping in. A lot of times guys sneak up out of nowhere that have the right of way.
3. Be friendly: I often encounter surfers who feel the need to be stoic out there on the water (these tend to be the wave hogs too, by the way), and keep to themselves. I totally understand the solitude of surfing, but in a crowd, it's way more fun to chat it up with your fellow riders. This also eases tension that may arise at a crowded lineup.

great illustration by campsurf.com

Without fail, there's always some hot shot who calls waves and drops in on his fellow surfers. Snakers gonna snake, snake, snake, snake, snake.  So what if people don't follow the rules of surf etiquette?

• Snap their leash (just kidding, but this can be a symptom of localism should you get in the way of the wrong person)
• Don't stoop to their low: If you are getting up in arms about surfing, you are missing the point. Waves come and go, and that "perfect wave that would have changed your life forever that that punk snaked and now you want to punch his face in" -- it probably wasn't what you thought it was. Enjoy the ride and make some friends along the way. It's not worth it to fight over something that isn't yours in the first place.
• It's okay to give a gentle reprimand to a guy who dropped in on you. A little, "Hey man, look before you drop in," can go a long way, and won't be ill regarded. A lot of times, guys who consistently break the unspoken rules of surfing will lose the respect of the other surfers at the lineup, so you have support.
• Know when to be aggressive: Sometimes fighting your way into a wave is okay when everyone is on the same page about how to handle a crowded spot. Plus, it can garner respect, and respect leads to more waves. There is a fine balance here, but if you can learn to feel it out, and show people that you'll catch the waves you paddle for (ie they won't go unridden), you'll be set.

At that particular trouble spot, my friend found that, though he lost waves at the top of the lineup, the other surfers would recognize if you were consistently going for it, and eventually let you have one or two. This discovery, along with a little luck in position, led to a great day for him. If you want to dive deeper, here's a great post on what not to do while surfing, with a little more detail on surf etiquette. Basically, have fun and do your best to make sure others are having fun too. In two words: love and respect.

Tips for Night Surfing | Catching Waves at Night Point Break Style

By Rick Bickerstaff We've all seen the epic (and totally false) night surf scene in Point Break, right? Despite Hollywood's mistaken depiction of night surfing, there are a lot of benefits to it, including fewer people and awakened instincts due to the lack of sight. I've made a few mistakes on the nocturnal way though, so I thought I'd share some tips for going on a night surf.

Courtesy of Inlet Charley's Surf Shop (inletcharleyssurf.tumblr.com)

The Suburban Surfer: Staying Stoked Through the Grind

By Rick Bickerstaff

Some people get paid to surf. Isn't that ridiculous? It's like getting paid to eat ice cream or something...

And then there's the rest of us -- spending our days chained to a cubicle, staring at a computer monitor; eight hours sandwiched between a traffic-filled commute each way. By the time you get home, you're so exhausted (but you're not sure why...after all, you just sat down all day) you wouldn't have the energy to surf if the sun stalled long enough to make it happen.

So how do we stay stoked on surfing through the drudgery of every day life? Here are seven tips I've used to get through the daily grind, because a surfer's got to do what a surfer's got to do:

An East-coast sunrise session.

Tips for Surfing Backside | Nailing Backside Waves

By Rick Bickerstaff

Ever show up to a spot where the waves are only breaking backside...but you don't know how to surf backside?! You paddle out anyway, only to fumble around trying to stand up, as thoughts of spending the day riding switch-foot run through your mind. Well, worry no more! Below are some standard backside riding tips for the next time you find yourself in this situation.

How to Triangulate the Peak | Wave Catching Tips for Surfing

By Natasha Hamilton

Catching waves is an integral part of surfing. To catch waves, you need to be able to find the peak. This task is sometimes easier said than done. Often, the peak is easy to locate from the shore but finding it once you are in the water can be frustrating. So it is essential that you know how to locate a peak.  

The Dangers of Surfing Alone | Huntington Beach Pier

By Athair Baer

It would seem the days of every other season bring about the same invigorating bliss and care-free enthusiasm that the warmer months of the year trend in contempt of how bright the sun may not actually be. One can’t help but be envious of people who live anywhere else when the dead of Winter bares the light as bright, the deep sand warms your feet, and the breeze kisses your cheek just enough to ignore the near 90 degree temperature. The Orange County beaches of Southern California really are my personal heaven. 



sunrise surf session on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier

Bottom Turn Tips for Surfers for Longboards, Shortboards and SUPs

By Natasha Hamilton

Bottom turns are  the first step in taking your surfing or paddling from the rookie stage to pro status.   Bottom turns are critical to successful trick transitions.  Mistiming this maneuver causes a loss of speed and forfeited opportunities.   Drops, barrels, reentries, floaters, and aerials are all reliant on a solid bottom turn.  So here is what you need to know about nailing bottom turns.

photo: SurferMag.com

First Surfboards for Beginners | the Wavestorm Foam Surfboard

By Rick Bickerstaff

I bought one of these surfboards for my wife a few years back and, on a smallish day, I took it out instead of my short boards. I have to say I was blown away by how good this 8-foot piece of Taiwanese foam actually rides...

It's the $100 Wavestorm from Costco, and though it takes a certain lack of self-consciousness to ride one, I can't deny its prowess, though I'm pretty sure that was an accident on the manufacturer's part.

Rip Currents for Surfers | Using the Rip to Paddle Outside

By Athair Baer
Hopefully, we’ve all had the life safety pep talk on how to avoid rip currents and why they're dangerous. This is true and appropriate measures should be taken in regards to rip currents. AND by appropriate measures I mean – c’mon! I’m telling you that there’s a current of water swiftly moving away from the shore! What do we do when we go out to surf? We’ve gotta paddle to get outside the break so we can pick n’ choose the best ride. Right?

Photo: Heidi Grabowith

Surfing with Sharks | Are Shark Attack Risks Overstated?

By: Rick Bickerstaff
Lately this meme has been going around, illustrating how you are more likely to be killed by (among other things) a vending machine than a shark. I don't know how accurate their research is, but the fact still stands: the odds are highly in your favor of having a shark-free surf. But still I know many people who are reluctant to even try surfing because they are afraid of shark attacks.

What I usually tell these folks is, "Think of all the people that go surfing in the world, every day. Now how many shark attacks do you hear about?" Few to none. But when you're on the open water, in "their" territory, it's not hard to imagine a big fin popping up in your peripherals, or a giant shadow gliding underneath you:

Video courtesy of Brad Coder.

Surfboards for Beginners | Buying Your First Surfboard | Longboard, Foamboard, Funboard, Fish

By Zac Heisey

For starters, taking a surf lesson at the closest beach will give you a great idea of the type of surfboard you should be riding as you building your surfing skills. Another good hint is to pay attention to the surfers who frequent your home break and keep a mental note of the boards they have strapped to their car racks. The guys who rip are likely to have wafer-thin, high-performance thrusters, while the less-skilled surfers will probably have much longer, wider boards. As with all things, there are always exceptions to the rule, and sometimes even top-notch surfers will elect to ride something other than a high-performance short board. In general, however, it is recommended that beginning surfers choose longer, wider, thicker boards to provide a stable platform for learning the proper techniques and fundamentals of surfing. Below are four types of surfboards that are great for those just getting their feet wet in the sport of surfing.

5 Essentials for a Surf Camping Trip | Surf Travel Tips

By Zac Heisey

Nothing quite matches the anticipation and excitement that comes with packing for a surfing road trip. Just you and your surfer buddies preparing to hit the open road, get a little dust up your noses, share some beers around a camp fire, and hopefully, catch some decent surf. In the midst of the building excitement, it can be easy to forget some essential surfing, camping, or traveling items. Check out these five necessities you’ll want to be sure to pack for your next surf/camping adventure.

Surf Break Blues | Making the Best of a Bad Beach Break

By Rick Bickerstaff
I've spent most of my life surfing beach breaks, and to be honest, I'm hitting a point where I'm getting a bit tired of some of the downfalls:

• Closeouts
• Backwash waves
• Dredging
• Parking/ Crowds

Most days, however, I don't have time to drive up to the nearest point, reef or rock break, and so a quick session at a nearby beach will have to suffice. So I thought I'd compile a list of ways to make the most out of your less-than-perfect beach break.

Your Next Surf Trip | Travel to Mexico

By London O’Regan

Many people hear the word Mexico and the thought of poverty, violence, drugs, cartels, and theft come to mind. This is understandable with all the bad publicity the media has been giving Mexico, but is it really that bad? Here are a few reasons, from my personal travels, why I LOVE MEXICO!!! And you should consider it as a destination for your next surf trip.

How to Prevent Surfer's Ear | Cold Water Surf Tips

By Connley

I would like to start a new saying: Surfers have terrible hearing. Well, this is only true if you are part of a large group of cold water surfers that have the great condition called, “ Surfer’s Ear.” Multiple exostoses, or Surfer's Ear is where  exposure to wind and cold water causes the bone encasing the ear canal to grow and constrict the ear canal. These bony lumps will trap cold water from escaping the ear, thus feeding the abnormal growth and speeding up the exostoses process.

Paddle Boarders vs. Surfers | Can they Coexist?

By Natasha Hamilton

     Surfing and feuding go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Well before the surfer, SUPer feud, there was the shortboard, longboard rukus of the 70’s and 80’s. So, what is behind this most recent skirmish?  

The No SUP sign at Matanza, FL

Surfing and the Fear of Missing Out on Waves

By Rick Bickerstaff
A friend sent me this picture earlier in the week with the caption, "Too bad we're at work...."

 

10 Fun Excuses to Get You Out of Work to Go Surfing

By Natasha Hamilton

It is that time of the year when the swells start cranking.  Unfortunately, the epic surf does not always wait for weekends.  Here are ten fun excuses to get you out of work and back in the water. 

10. My horoscope said that aliens were going to abduct me on the way to work and probe my brain for secret surfing tips to bring peace to their war torn planet.

9. My Aunt’s cousin’s turtle is locked outside and if we don’t get it in the house it will die.

The Wave that Got Away | Conquering Your Fear and Surfing Big Waves

By Rick Bickerstaff
It was a rainy day after Thanksgiving, and a friend had tipped me off to an incoming swell that would hit our home break. I didn't expect much, though, as the beach we often surf is rarely outstanding, but surfing sounded better than Black Friday shopping, so I headed to the beach.

Apparently my fear of water is greater than my fear of people's opinions, because I ended up grabbing my sister's NSP (I like to call it the Butterfly Racer - pictured below). It's wider than my short board, which helps in smaller waves, but still responsive enough to do some carving. I wouldn't advise you to go out and buy one by any means, but I've been surprised at how much fun I've had on this thing.

Riding the "Butterfly Racer" at Trestles...don't judge me.

6 Sins of Surfing | Unwritten Rules of Surfing

By Zac Heisey

Learning proper surfing etiquette is a major part of becoming a true surfer. It’s amazing how easy it is to spot offenders in the line-up once you know the rules. While slack should be given to beginners who are just starting to pick up the admittedly complex and sometimes fluid list of surfing do’s and don’ts, there are some surfing faux pas that won’t be tolerated. Below are seven of the more egregious offenses in surfing. If you can’t learn to follow these, then it’s probably best to keep your board stored safely on your surf rack.