Surf etiquettes that are “unwritten”
Over the past few months, we have noticed that many inexperienced surfers have been going to spots that are not suited to their level.
“Sensitive subject ! “
How to inform a surfer with tact, the fact that they are not in the right spot for their level? By reading the text below, you’ll educate yourself on ‘surf etiquettes’ .
The etiquettes of surfing priorities, how to line up, do a duck dive or turtle for example are rules that need to be learnt and respected. Images and information are spread on social networks and some municipalities have signs on the beaches explaining etiquettes and safety to help you to be informed.
So how do you educate novice surfers? Those who have not had the chance to learn the “unwritten” rules in their family, in a surf school or in another community?
> > > >WE GIVE YOU A SHORT INTRO !
🤔“if you are a beginner-advanced / low intermediate surfer and want to surf the reef? »
➡️Ask the lifeguards at sea, surf teachers or surf shops about the spots open to learning.
➡️Be aware of your skills and limits: the ocean does not give gifts.
➡️Make sure you have a quick take off (in 1 time), that you control your board to avoid an obstacle (or another surfer) and that you are in good physical condition to paddle a long distance to reach the peak. If you spend your energy paddling, you won’t be able to catch good waves, so you might as well stay on the beach break to score the waves.
The more waves you take, the faster your learning will be.
➡️Think about your own safety because you must be able to reach the shore, possibly swimming without a board if your leash breaks.
➡️The material must be adapted to your level; there is no point in having a board that does not float enough and does not allow you to enter the wave easily.
Again, the more waves you catch, the more fun and progress you will have!
➡️Doing the turtle with your board is not shameful and a bigger board forces you to have a correct technique so that the board reacts to your commands.
➡️The “written” surfing rules, called etiquettes, found on social networks are important; they define the priorities for catching the wave or not getting stuck inside, on the path of surfers who have taken the breaking wave higher at the peak.
➡️You should know that you are responsible for your board, that you cannot throw it away and also that you are responsible in the event of material or physical damage to another surfer.
➡️The last important tip is to assess the crowd in the water: if the spot is saturated, change the spot or postpone your session!
“Surfing is like life.”
To progress, to move forward, you have to want it.
Get up, fall, wash machine, catch a nice wave, have fun, admire the reflection of the sun on the wave, then crash again…
Then start over, share a great session with friends, giggle…..
Some days, the swell is epic, the next day, Mother Nature is less generous and gives you chop and mush! Perhaps you are in poor shape to surf?? You have to adapt, live day by day and be satisfied with the conditions.
You go with the flow.
” the beginnings “
As a beginner, it’s best to start on a big board and head straight to the white water and learn to take off.
Through practice, you’ll learn to direct the board going right or left and avoid obstacles!!
You fall, you get up, you learn to make turns; you take waves again and again and with a lot of practice and determination, at some point you manage to take the famous ‘green wave’!!
So let’s go reef surfing!
“Exceeding limits and building confidence”
Surfing forces us to get out of our comfort zone physically and mentally.
Technique and physical condition are improved by hours of paddling and taking off.
The mind is strengthened because it has gained confidence and acquired a new friendship with the ocean.
With more time spent in the water, we naturally gain more knowledge, for example we know at what time the wave is optimal on which tide and where the peak of the waves is.
” The quest “
It can take time to understand surf spots, to know the tide or the direction of the swell so that the conditions are optimal.
Sometimes it takes time to find the appropriate surf spot but when found you can reap the benefits of you effort!
Surfing is a lifestyle!
“the inexperienced surfer”
The inexperienced surfer sometimes chooses a spot not appropriate to their capabilities. Even if the size of the swell is reasonable.
A spot like Punta Blanca has a “smooth” flat bottom where the wave rolls gently “straight”. It is a wave popular for surf schools because it allows you to get up slowly and discover the feeling of sliding.
But, a lot of the other spots along the coast line have little or no water, rocks protrude, and the bottom is not smooth and these spots are more critical to surf at and need more experience.
To get to this kind of spot, you have to be able to do a quick take off (in one time), directly on the shoulder of the breaking wave and have control of your board. No chance of taking the wave “straight” because there is probably no bottom or of missing your take off and wiping out: the accident is guaranteed!
“there are not plenty of waves ; avoid waste! »
The number of waves per set is limited; it’s part of the game of surfing and the beauty of the sport; therefore, we honor each set.
The advanced surfer will respect each wave he takes because it is precious.
In the surf community, we will boost groms and learners to surpass themselves and cheer for the wave; sharing is essential and joyful.
It is really frowned upon for an “inexperienced surfer” to take the wave straight and/or fall on the take off: he would be wasting a wave that another could have surfed with his skills mentioned above.
” in conclusion “
Surfing is a physically and mentally demanding sport.
To surf a good wave, you go through different stages of institutional or non-institutional training.
Before practicing on a spot for confident surfers, you must at least be able to take off on the breaking wave with control (surfing the shoulder) and without falling.
It has to be earned, just like on skis, you don’t go from the green slopes to the red or black slopes ; learning is progressive for the pleasure and safety of all enthusiasts.
Come to spend some surf holiday with our surf camp fuerteventura and surf school Fuerteventura (corralejo and Lajares), and have fun ! We are looking forward to see you for a surf course in Fuerteventura or a surfari! Your surf school Fuerteventura !
