Surfing Etiquette For Beginners - How to Stay Out of Trouble

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hayden_Rhodes]Hayden Rhodes
1. If you cannot duck dive your surfboard properly you are considered to be dangerous by more experienced surfers. Any surfer who struggles to duck dive will be caught by bigger set waves and can be left in the line up or the impact zone where surfers are trying to surf. This is frustrating and dangerous for everyone. Many beginners will also have their boards ripped out of their hands or perhaps even bail their board when waves approach. Unwritten surfing laws state that those who cannot duck dive stay well clear of the take off spot, other surfers and powerful breaking waves. There is also an understanding to never bail your board when there are other surfers paddling or duck diving behind you.
2. Paddling out is a necessary part of surfing yet if you cannot make it out the back, you may be trapped in the exact area where other surfers are trying to surf. If there are many surfers in one spot the better surfers will end up having to dodge learners, which can become dangerous. The unwritten surfing law states that a surfer will always attempt to paddle out around the impact zone. If there is no way around then the paddling surfer should always paddle towards the breaking wave, not towards the shoulder of the wave. This means leaving the open wave for the surfer coming down the line and heading towards the white water to duck dive. Beginners will benefit dramatically by working on surfing fitness, paddle technique and duck dive skills.
3. The surfer who is closest to the breaking part of the wave has priority. Many learners forget that better surfers may have put thousands of hours in the water to get into a position to take off deeper and closer to the breaking part of the wave. The unwritten law states that a learner must look both ways before paddling for a wave and if someone else is on the wave then they cannot proceed. Again, surfing fitness pays off here, the fitter and stronger you are the quicker you can improve and take off closer to the peak.
4. Leg ropes are compulsory at all times when there are a lot of people in the water. A lost board out in the ocean can seriously injure another surfer or swimmer when it gets washed in. Beginners must always wear a leash.
5. If it is too big for your level then accept it and stay out of the water. A lot of people become over zealous or attached to their ego and paddle out only to put themselves into a dangerous situation. Other surfers then have to endanger themselves to perform a rescue. The ocean can be friendly and also very powerful, an old unwritten surf law is to know your limits.
6. If you cannot swim out to the breaking waves and swim back to shore without a surfboard then do not get in the water. Years ago all surfers had great surfing fitness and could swim very well. Today there are many people who enter the ocean who have no idea about swimming or even basic surf fitness. An old unwritten surf law states that you should learn to swim before you learn to surf.
7. Learn to surf for the right reason. Many beginners are learning on big long boards that are very easy to paddle catch waves and stand up. This means they often can catch more waves and have no idea that surfing is about respecting the ocean and sharing the surf with everyone. Just because you can catch a wave and stand up does not mean every wave that comes rolling in is yours. Probably the oldest and most important unwritten surfing law states that surfing is about sharing the vibe and the waves with all surfers in the water.
Hayden Rhodes has coached professional and amateur athletes improve their performance through scientific personal training, hormonal testing, nutritional coaching and performance principles.
If your a professional surfer or just getting started and want to improve as a surfing athlete then please visit http://SurfTrainingSecrets.com. Do you want to improve as a surfer?
For a free 5 day coaching guide on boosting your surfing performance please visit http://SurfTrainingSecrets.com
Thank You I look forward to your questions and comments.
Hayden Rhodes
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Surfing-Etiquette-For-Beginners---How-to-Stay-Out-of-Trouble&id=6529272] Surfing Etiquette For Beginners - How to Stay Out of Trouble