Rule 5: Don't snake

Rule 5: Don’t Snake
“Snaking” is when a surfer paddles around another surfer in order position himself to get the right of way for a wave. He is effectively making a big “S” around a fellow surfer. While not immediately hazardous to your health, this is incredibly annoying. You can’t cut the lineup. Patiently wait your turn. Wave hogs don’t get respect in the water. Also, being a local doesn’t give you permission to ruthlessly snake visitors who are being polite. If they’re not being polite, well…

Rule 4: Don’t Ditch Your Board

Rule 4: Don’t Ditch Your Board 


THIS IS DAM DANGEROUS!!!

This is important, especially when it gets crowded. Always try to maintain control and contact with your board. Surfboards are large, heavy, and hard. If you let your board go flying around, it is going to eventually clock someone in the head.


This means if you’re paddling out and a wall of whitewater is coming, you don’t have permission to just throw your board away and dive under. If you throw your board and there is someone paddling out behind you, there is going to be carnage.


This is a hard rule for beginners, but if you manage to avoid picking up the habit of throwing your board you will be a MUCH better surfer.

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Rule 2: Don’t Drop In

Rule 2: Don’t Drop In
This is related to Rule #1. This is probably the most important part of surfing etiquette. Dropping in means that someone with the right of way is either about to take off on a wave or is already riding a wave, and you also take off on the same wave in front of him or her. This blocks his ride down the line, and is extremely annoying, not to mention dangerous. If you are tempted to drop in remember this: no matter how good the wave is, if you drop in on someone you’ll feel like crap, the other surfer will be pissed, and the wave will be ruined for everyone.

Surfing Rules - No. 1

Rule 1: Right of Way

A.    Wave Breaking In One Direction

The surfer closest to the peak of the wave has the right of way. This means if you’re paddling for a right, and a surfer on your left is also paddling for it, you must yield to him or her. There are a couple variations to this rule: If someone is up riding a wave, don’t attempt a late takeoff between the curl/whitewater and the surfer. If the surfer who’s riding the wave wants to make a cutback she’ll run right into you. Just because the whitewater catches up to a surfer riding a wave doesn’t give you permission to take off down the line. Many talented surfers can outrun the section and get back to the face of the wave.

A.    Wave With Two Surfing Faces

A-Frames or Split Peaks: If two surfers are on either side of the peak, they each have the right of way to take off on their respective sides. It’s not generally accepted to take off behind the peak unless there’s nobody on the other side. These surfers should split the peak and go opposite ways.

A.    Two Surfers Heading Towards Each Other

If a surfer riding a wave gets closed out with an impossible section or wipes out, the next surfer down the line can take off. If you’re a very new beginner I’d hold off on doing this anyway until you have a bit more experience. If a wave is breaking towards itself (a closeout) and two surfers are taking off at each other, yes both have the right of way but this is a perilous situation and it’s advisable to kick out early to avoid a collision.

About UP2U Surf School - Bali

UP2U Surf School is an owned and operated by surfers who have over thirty years experience in the surf industry.

Our surfing knowledge spans across the globe with surfing experience in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Europe and America. All this knowledge put together with a friendly, helpful and positive attitude assures you can be confident that UP2U Surf School will make your surf adventures in Bali one to remember!

UP2U Surf School is completely dedicated to the advancement of the sport of surfing. We sincerely believe that once you try surfing your life will be better for it.

We just want to share this with everyone!

We are committed to teach surfing to the world in the most professional and safest way possible! That’s why we limit all our class sizes so you get your money’s worth.

Surfing is a very soul settling experience something that is shared by both young and old surfers all over our world and we want you to feel that to.

UP2U Surf Schools policy is not only to invite you to share our surfing experiences by teaching you the most awesome sport but also to embrace you as our fellow surfing sisters and brothers and show you the true culture of surfing.

We are really looking forward to see you here at UP2U Surf School.