4 Key Rules of Surf Etiquette

Experienced in the healthcare industry, Chris Manfuso serves as the national director of sales at Torrance, CA-based Nubratori RX and Enovachem Pharmaceuticals. In his spare time, Chris Manfuso enjoys a range of outdoor activities, such as boating, skiing, and surfing.

Like any other sport, surfing has rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable surfing experience. Consider the following important etiquette rules when surfing:

1. Never dive head-first while surfing. When you fall off your surfboard, avoid diving towards the ocean floor since you can severely injure yourself. Instead, use the surfboard for protection against impact to your head and arms.

2. Respect right of way. The surfer who is nearest to the peak of a wave always gets priority to ride that wave. For example, if you are attempting to paddle to a right-hand wave, the surfer to your left will have the right of way to catch the wave.

3. Avoid dropping in. Typically, only one surfer rides a wave at a time. As a general rule, two surfers should not be riding the same wave as it moves in one direction.

4. Don’t throw your surfboard. Since surfboards can cause serious injuries or death when flipping out of the water, your surfboard should be attached to you with a leash at all times so it doesn’t move out of your control.