All true stuff but the hypocrisy rides high. I've been surfing for a long time so I've seen a lot. Experienced surfers cut people off all the time, and when they do they flip you off and they act like they did nothing wrong. In essence they did it on purpose. But when a young inexperienced kid goes out there and does it by accident, the experienced surfer turns into a f-ing goon and goes to fight someone over a 3 ft mush- burger. Seen it so many times.

If you have good surfing etiquette and someone breaks an "unwritten rule" let them know. If a kook drops in on you, don't just ignore it and avoid confrontation, telling your buddies how that guy ruined the wave you probably would have ruined yourself. Don't be an asshole, paddle up with a smile and let him know what the right thing to do in that situation is. More of this will go a long way.

This is one of the reasons i go out in bad wave conditions, they might be shitty waves but you get them almost all to yourself.

I started surfing in 1962. At that time mommies and daddies taught their kids something called courtesy. The ones who didn't learn it at home quickly learned it in school from other kids. Also people were a lot more friendly often talking more than riding. I don't remember talking about "rules" - most just knew to be considerate of others in the water. YES today is a lot different but it's not just younger surfers. I get cut off by older surfers just as much if not more! You don't have to treat every wave like it's the last one to ever come by - there will be another. Surfing is supposed to be fun and the water relaxing so if everyone just chills it will be much better!

You forgot the SUP folks that grab every wave because they are the furthest out.

Well the best surfer is the one having the most fun so I guess each to their own but it would still be much better for people to universally follow the etiquette

POV your a grom and get away w anything lol

One of the biggest misconceptions about surf etiquette is that the surfer closest to the break has the right of way. In most cases this is true but the oldest and most basic rule is that the first surfer on a wave has the right of way. Go to Steamers Lane in Santa Cruz, it has been posted there for many years at the top of the stairs. You cannot take off behind someone who has already caught a wave and is standing up and expect to have the right of way even if you caught it only seconds after he or she.

Line ups in simple terms (point breaks, reefs, and consistent sand banks). One person in the water, you paddle out and wait till he/she goes, then it is your turn. 2 people in the water. You paddle out and wait until they both have a go, then it is your turn. 3 people in the water, you wait until all three people have had a turn, then you go. et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. If you blow your wave, then you go back into line. If you are out of position, because you were watching the dolphins, you lose your turn. If you are tired and paddle outside to rest, then you go back to the end of the line. In simpler terms, do you cut the line to get your oatmilk, double pump latte? Cut in line for your post sesh Acai bowl?

I started surfing at Malibu/Rincon breaks in 1964. It was usually crowded if the was any swell and I saw some pretty violent confrontations. Now I'm an old man and go out for a paddle or two during the warm summer months. I live in New Zealand now and its pretty cool. But surfers are pretty much the same everywhere. Selfish and greedy.

Don’t call your friends when it’s firing Don’t tell your friends about a mysto sandbar until it’s mostly gone. Paddle by yourself or occasionally with maybe one other. Don’t paddle as a group into an already crowded lineup. If you surf consistently, you paddle by yourself. It’s surfing, not socializing Don’t start chit-chat while other party is looking for waves. Be able to read a lineup as well as you can read waves, or go surf by yourself.

I have been out a few times when some dude is out there that has no business in the lineup and is dangerous . But I just paddled up and said in the coolest way possible that maybe he should move inside with me and I could give him a quick lesson on both surfing and etiquette . Every time they were actually thankful. They were on vacation and really wanted to try surfing so of course they went right to where everybody else was . But somebody experienced should know better . When I travel I sit out on the shoulder and just pick up leftovers the first few days. Eventually I usually get a look when they decide to let something tasty through for me. I mean I get the aggro mindset if you think thats what you need to get waves but I'm not out there for that . I just want to have a good time. I lived through all that in the 80's in SoCal and it defeats the whole point of surfing to me.

I learned to surf in 1973 and sometimes when you broke the rules, you got smacked. It was an effective teaching tool. The world is a different place now. Young adult novice/novice+ surfers arrive in groups and paddle out en masse at the best sandbars. They know what they want, and they take it. I think they have a basic understanding of the etiquette, but they just don't care, this isn't 1973. The beach has always been my sanctuary, and the current situation is frustrating and saddening. For your own sake, however, I urge you all to keep your cool. A few years ago, I flung a board that made a beeline for some guy's head. If my leash had been a little longer, I might be sitting in prison on manslaughter charges. Now, I just yell "serenity now!" Keep up the positive and good work, Brad.

I was at a very popular beginner spot in SoCal, I’m a total beginner (around 20 sessions). This very experienced surfer shoved his kid onto a wave in front of me and apologized. I said no worries. Then a really nice wave rolled up to my spot and the dude is like “let me take this wave please” and snakes me. I say “okay..” since there was nothing I could do, he could paddle circles around me. So I figure maybe they’re heading to the beach to leave and he just wanted to catch up with his kid. No, here he comes straight back to try to snake me again. Clearly at this point it’s my turn, I catch the next wave, and he shoves his kid straight in front of me again, dropping in a few feet from me on the shoulder! I had to turn immediately into the whitewater to just avoid running him over. My takeaway from this whole interaction is that I need to start being more selfish in taking waves…

At my local break, I had a mock fight in the water with one of my mates - the non-locals then steered well clear.

These things have to constantly be re taught..new surf schools constantly popping up never teaching these things ..they teach everyone to line up and all paddle for the same wave, head down scratching towards the beach in the hopes they can get that instagram shot of themselves "surfboarding"

Excellent video. At my local break, there seems to be a correlation between the number of surfers in the water and the lack of respect for these basic safety rules. More competition = less civility. I get it,.I feel competitive out there too, but damn, safety first people....

Great video! This is why I avoid summer surfing almost entirely and hit dawn patrol and more obscure spots when I do.

YES EVERYONE NEEDS TO WATCH THIS. Great video man!

There are basic foundational rules, sure, but ultimately…as others have said, everyone breaks them. Good surfers break the rules knowingly and new surfers often are simply clueless. The busier it gets, the less rules are followed. And you can bet that the best surfers in the line up will take the majority of the waves…there is no courtesy in either direction.

The internet has ruined a lot of shit, let's just face it. It has put too much pressure on everything, fishing, hunting, surfing, boating, etc. Oh see that great deal on a house in the middle of nowhere California? Oh yeah, the entire world can see that, so some bum from halfway around the world buys up land that used to be affordable to the locals. A huge elephant in the room that nobody ever seems to speak of. Imagine how many good surf spots have been ruined by IG and youtube.

Remember to let pros break all aforementioned rules. Thank you!!!

Great video! I'm glad you're talking about the exceptions to the rules, because so many videos don't. Also, the intersection of etiquette and localism is super important, like you said. When you see experienced surfer's "breaking the rules", don't assume that there are no rules. Might be revenge for getting burned or backpaddled. Might be that a non-local wasn't showing enough respect. Might be that they know their break so well, they knew a section was un-makeable long before you did. Spend a few months surfing a spot before you assume you know how it works. And, of course, understand there are always a few cocky assholes around, and their bad behavior doesn't give you an excuse to do the same to others.

#1 is sometimes a difficult judgement call for me (whether its better to head for the inside whitewater or paddle over the shoulder to stay out of the way). Especially in the short, fast beachbreaks of the South Bay... getting better about it though.

What a great summary of surfing etiquette! And with very good supporting video material!

The earth is just getting a bit too crowded. There's only so many places for the popular outdoor activities and they're getting busier and busier...

Such a great put together!!! Love it...🌴🤙❤️

Thanks Brad this is much needed. obviously you had to make this video because shits getting out of control these days. Covid Ruined Surfing. Thousands of new surfers learning how to surf during Covid and nobody’s teaching them etiquette 🤙🏻

Three set waves and everyone wants one! Cool heads prevail. But it's all good until it goes bad and it goes bad really quickly! Maybe find a crappy break with five guys out instead of Malibu with 50+? Good clips and info BJ! Keep it up!

Bravo, it contains it all. Many thanks to bring awareness!

At my break there is basically no line up even though it is a long point break. So many of the people there are new surfers and everyone just stands in groups or in a line occasionally getting small waves while the locals are basically surfing the main peak empty. If you assume it’s a line up you will just be waiting forever because people are in line for nothing haha

PRAY FOR SHARKS! Surfed a spot in Hawaii that was behind a military rifle range, that and no trespassing signs really kept the crowds down. The SHARKS helped also.

Very good KZfaq Brad . I think it would be a good learning tool for surf schools to use as an introductory before they even go down to the beach for the first lesson .

even if you tell someone to be aware of their surroundings, it doesnt make them able to do it. It's all about experience. There are so many new things to see and feel when you start surfing that it takes years *if you surf once in a while* to be aware of others things than the wave and your board. The problem is that there are too many new surfers and not enough experienced surfers to compensate for the lack of awareness. Sadly, surfing is the victim of its popularity :( I think its just a fad though, I'm sure itll pass, like skateboarding XD.

Thank you ! very useful to new surf seekers

The better surfer gets priority. That is how it works in the water. I mean Im going to backpaddle some newbie if I want. Not every time. Any decent surfer is going to back paddle me.

If you yell “party wave” as you drop in on someone it’s not considered a snake

One good thing about surfing in the North of Scotland, you get very few punters in the lineup - everyone has committed physically to the freezing cold and committed financially by purchasing all the necessary wetsuit equipment. California looks absolutely terrible.

When I surfed I would hardly even look at a wave if someone was already up and riding. I quit right around 2003 and have only seen it getting worse.

Very instructive, though obvious! Thanks brow

This is fine overview of the etiquette, but it mostly ignores the important nuanced cases that frequently arise in practice. The rules mentioned in the video work well when there are 5-20 people on the peak. The reality is that surfing became a very popular activity with tens to hundreds of people on the peak, and we need guidelines that would accommodate that - unless you are saying that some people somehow deserve to surf more than others. By the way, if you have ideas - explain them to newbies! Most people out there just want to have fun and will happily listen to what you have to say, as long as it genuine and useful. Most newbies don't actually want to do the mistakes (shocker) - but it's hard to learn if all you get is the aggression. Here are my recommendations (in addition to the ones talked in the video): - Know your level. Beginner - go to a beginnger's break. Everybody will paddle straight, there would be fun party waves, and the break would likely be an easy one to ride a longboard at. Conversely, and this is even more important, if you are an expert - don't go to the beginner's break - you'll make everyone's life miserable as you glide that longboard across the face of the rolling wave that 20 people could have been on at once. - Know your breaks. Look. Ask around. Which breaks work best for what kind of boards. Don't go to a steep point break with a longboard. - Share the wave if you know you are not going to rip anywhere. Let people know you are ok to party. Have you noticed you rarely mad at your friends when surfing together? That's because you know everyone's skill level so you can predict what's gonna happen if you go on the wave together. - Share advice! Help to match equipment with skill levels and breaks - it will lead to better resource utilization. Have fun out there, and don't be a selfish asshole!

All the advice seems spot on, but to an inexperienced surfer this makes it out like experienced surfers are mafia dons ready to be deathly angry at the drop of a hat. Let's not also perpetuate a myth that surfers are quick to anger and fight people.

Yup I don’t even go out anymore. Finding new hobbies and retiring the boards

Wow this was so good! Appreciate you

Thank you so much for making this

That’s slaps out here in Hawaii

the worst line up spoil is when a barrel is forming in the wave and someone smashes it. paddling in, paddling out, doesn't matter. this vid needs to be shared with all who take the salt bath.

would like to see your interpretation when surfers as meet with bodysurfers and what rules need to be followed by both parties

Still going in da 808.. local kine tingz

Been surfing since I was 14, so 41+ years. Yes, it’s definitely changing. This new crop of extremely selfish even narratives surfers are extremely frustrating. Most days I just bail early. Thankfully as an old Marine, dawn patrol is the best time to surf. This new generation doesn’t like to get up early. LOL! Great vids BTW!

I'm such an idiot. I'm always moving away from the crowds and giving turns and losing all the waves...I always end up in the rip. But I get so stressed and aggressive. It's surf schools overcrowding the only place where waves are breaking, when most of the "students" can't even paddle; if I decide to go anyway thinking "well they can't surf, so I'll be fine", suddenly a surf instructor drops in on his own students and comes in your direction when you least expected, then the "students" start shooting on the same wave on every direction aimlessly; but suddenly a kid does surf and starts coming in your direction at all speed...then SUPs, longboarders, tourists and freelance learners warming up to join the circus, they stay right in front of you and paddle for every wave...it's a disrespectful circus. I blame a lot surf schools and the surf industry for this. It's hypocrisy to talk about rules, old school, the real surfing etc, while at the same time selling the soul of the sport as a circus, a joke. But society lost all consideration for others. Not just in the water.

Sick vid Brad, let's make this go viral

You covered everything. Well done.

Thanks for this video.

great video as someone who wants to learn how to surf, this is perfect!

Surfing is not the changing the people are. They surf like they drive, no regard for other human beings.

Perfect, great video👍

as a 24 yr old, sponging/kooking on the east coast for that whole time, where i’m from it’s a good blend, mostly surfers but everyone’s chill for the most part, nothing this summer 😂

Nice job Brad. You picked an awesome spot for B-roll re: lack of etiquette (El Poor Toe) :)

thanks for making this!

Good and simple vid on surf rules. When I started off there were no good vids on youtube on this - lets hope people watch this!

I was all by my happy self one summer morning recently...waves were far from "good"...maybe thigh high but clean, so I was getting some smiles on the longboard, especially since waves had been so rare(and still are in flat Florida). No one near me for hundreds of feet on either side, another rarity. I see a couple little kids and their dad walk over the dunes with boards, and I keep looking to see where they're going to go, and yep...they wax up right in front of where I'm sitting in the water and paddle out...DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME! I'm livid. I'm shaking with frustration and bewilderment. The father is my age so i assume he understands some level of etiquette, but because the kids were really small I held back saying anything, because I wanted to scream at all the father.."Why right here??!! There's so much space all around me!!" I didn't want to freak out the kids, so..I gave my best stink eye towards the father(I don't think he noticed or even cared), and I paddled in and went home..absolutely pissed off! Surfing has been getting more difficult..so many people want the "lifestyle". But, so many people simply don't give any shits about others and how they affect them. I've found myself less happy when I surf in the past few years...too much hassle going on..stress to actually get a decent wave, then deal with the humans...

Surf Etiquette went away when all the Content Creators came along. Not the same as when I started surfing in the early 80's There was a pecking order, localism, and etiquette you followed or got your ass kicked and moved along. You didn't show up at a spot with 5 Costco surfboards and paddle out right to the peak. No Clowns on SUP's. As i was growing up it seemed every so many years a new batch of people would try to learn to surf but 1 out of 10 would continue and the rest would quit. Seems now with Social media and the im going to be famous craze a lot of people who should not be in the water are now in the water. I hate when people race you to the shoulder. I don't paddle out as much anymore due to the crowds and me being a grump. I still get my days uncrowded but I seem to lose my temper more and have less patience as i get older. I became the guy i hated when i was kid.

Great video! Subscribed ✅

Back in the day the rules were enforced through violence. We don't live in a world where that's acceptable anymore and now there is very little courtesy

I would never surf where there are crowds like that, I'll find another hobby, simply isn't worth my time. I'll surf slop waves any day to be away from crowds.

I think wave pools are starting to be a good role model for a normal ocean lineup

Man, as much as I hate trying to paddle out through a beach break, at least we don't have to deal with all that crazy shit at the peak. Just pick an empty bit and wait for your wave!

I was on the north shore in 99 and paddled out while the boys were out. Wolfpack regulated the lineup and I got beat up. Leash cut. Board broken.

I took up mountain biking a few years back . It has its advantages over surfing as mostly I am not constantly competing for a downhill segment of trail . At least in my local area . Surfing was once like that back in the good old days . You would think all those beaches would lead to endless waves and o surf but it doesn't work that way . A majority of beaches have little to no rideable surf on Monday at days concentrating better spots with many surfers and many kooks who don't understand the etiquette of surfing . The other problem is it's can be difficult to practice it even for advance surfers . Back pedalers feel they are so good they deserve every wave . They maybe really good reading the ocean . Getting back to mountain biking when you do have a situation and your barreling down a trail and I counter a slower rider you would say rider up . You may say what ride you want to pass . You could do the same . A predictable voice communication that this is your wave and have priority like saying surfer up . If everyone gets that you might have allot less problems

The real problem is the 'rules'. It favours only the young, fit or highly experienced surfer. They'll take all waves available and if that doesn't work they'll resort first to repetitive snaking and then dropping in. Fuck em I say just go for it (as long as it's not dangerous).

This is the most important and best video yet

It is a sad state of affairs these days and sssoooooooooo glad someone has brought up into conversations.

This video is great All new surfers really need is a big bro out there to show them the ropes. It's a lot funnier when people aren't pissed at you

Great video!

Great job....excellent voice over very clean an clear...huh

There are unwritten rules/laws in regards to various life topics that should be KNOWN & PRACTICED (put forth effort) …. Whether it be surfing, driving, or as small as going through a doorway space with traffic involved -what do you do ? Un-Written Rule- men hold door for women children or elders, those which the door was held for should (unwritten) offer a thanks or offer of gratitude in some form or fashion ! Just a few examples outside just surfing for Un-Written dukes in your/our daily lives!

4:22 that's gotta be one of my favorite surf clips ever

“In the water it’s about safety and respect” right on 🤙

What if you've been sat in the lineup with the same loggers paddling past you and way out back and just catching everything so early, all you can do is go and get a bigger log and go even further out?. Some longboarders need to take 5 sometimes an let others take a few, else that 9,6 might become a 5,3

Excellent video. The world's gone mad!

been thinking about getting into surfing at some point. Living in Connecticut makes it hard. If I do ever take up surfing, now I know that I won't be just going out trying to get waves. I'll be joining a community of people trying to get waves. So I'll be happy just paddling out to the end of the lineup and just watching/ talking with experienced surfers about how it's done. Glad I ran across this to understand how to not be as much of an asshole/ aloof idiot as I might have been if I went in thinking it was just me and the ocean. As with many hobbies, it's about community first and foremost, and the hobby itself is secondary. If you don't understand that, then take up woodworking or some shit where your bad attitude won't rub off on others.

Can literally everyone that wants to surf in California take note here! Please and thank you. - Fellow Surfer

Funny how everywhere has different rules. Florida doesn’t have line ups in most places because we don’t have point breaks or consistent apex. Only a couple of major spots ever get way too crowded so basically we just let whoever is in the best position to get the wave take it or follow the who ever stands up first rule.

Thanks for a well intentioned video. I wonder how many of the culprits will actually watch this video. They will be tuned into the latest Brazilian air game instructional video.

Great video

It was a different world when I started surfing way back in 1978. Although, not quite as crowded as today, there was more respect and etiquette and you payed your dues earning your spot in the lineup. Localism was worse back then and it was rare for someone to deliberately burn you on a wave If it did happen, the other surfer would kick out and you would continue enjoying your wave. . Drop ins nowadays are so commonplace, It's no wonder, I don't surf nearly as much as used to.

One of the good things about doing shift work is surfing when the majority of people are at work. Lineups give me anxiety

The worst is when it's a weak day with few good waves and everyone's out. Aggression seems to ramp up, I find myself leaving. Ain't worth it for not much fun.

Great video by the way...

Back in my day, I used to surf with brass knuckles. Anytime I'd get snaked, I'd swim over, give the other surfer the knuckles, and let them beat my face and board to a pulp. It taught me a lot about respect since I was adopted and courtesy wasn't invented until 2019. Now, I'm top of my class in the Idaho surf school, graduating with honors. Remember kids, if you want to surf at my beach, you are always welcome if you have the $25 entry fee!

I really appreciate surfing in indo now, it can be crowded yes but after seeing this video I feel like over here people at least are nice and have a good time in the water. Over there it looks so intense

Great video.

Thank you

At a typical spot, 15 experienced surfers cannot enforce tradition on 200 kooks. The kooks have taken over the asylum.

Well done!

Great vídeo. You can do a vídeo discussing helmets and his utility

Every beginner should watch this.

Who is to blame for this? I remember a time if you dropped in on someone you were in for a hard time. Not a beat down ,but you were getting yelled at. The beat downs came if you did it again. Most of the lineup would make it very clear that some things don't go in the water. A little curtasy goes a long way people. Don't be a snake, don't throw your board. Don't paddle into the line of someone up on a wave. Yes you may have to take one on the head. But that better than a board to the face any day. Surf etiquette is important, but not mandatory. Be prepared to defend yourself if you choose not to follow it. Remember, there's always sombody tougher than you. Sometimes it takes a broken jaw and knose to change people's ways. Be prepared, be advised or go home. At the end of the day, a little curtasy goes a long way. You old bastards like me, you are not above anybody. Teach etiquette and not violence. Etiquette and curtasy go a super long way in every aspect of life. See u in the watter.

Ok now can you upload a version in Brazilian Portuguese?