As beaches become more and more crowded, it is common to see surf spots full of a hundred or so surfers trying to catch the same wave. But unfortunately, that isn’t the way it works. However, why can’t two people surf on the same wave?
Two people can’t surf the same waves because it is dangerous as surfers can crash into each other. It is also disrespectful to “burn” or steal someone else’s wave. When a wave breaks to the right and the left, two surfers can share the same wave as long as they communicate with each other.
Once you understand the dangers of surfing the same wave, how to read waves, and surf etiquette, you will be well prepared to enjoy a day of surfing, even when at a busy spot.
What Happens When Two People Try to Surf the Same Wave?
When two people surf the same wave, going the same direction at speeds of 20 miles per hour plus, it is impossible to know where the other surfer is going. Because their path is unpredictable, neither surfer will be able to stay out of the other’s way, increasing the potential of a crash.
Running into another surfer could break surfboards and cause injuries. Surfboards have a pointy nose and sharp fin underneath, so a collision could cause head trauma and lacerations. This is very dangerous in the ocean because it puts the person at risk of drowning. Additionally, surfboards are heavy, so when it has gained speed and momentum, they could give someone a concussion or cause brain damage.
Surfing the same wave isn’t just about following rules, it is about keeping you and other surfers safe. Disregarding the rules can result in tragedy.
How to Tell if Two People Can Ride the Same Wave
When you see a small lump out on the horizon, it will eventually turn into a wave. With lots of practice, you can read waves and predict where they will go or in which direction they will break. There are four types of waves, but only one of them can be ridden by two surfers. The four kinds of waves
are:
- Left wave
- Right wave
- A-frame wave
- Closeout wave
The only kind of wave with room for two surfers is an A-frame wave. This kind of wave takes the shape of a peak with shoulders going off to both the right and the left. The impact zone (where the wave crashes over on itself) will be all white water with two shoulders or flat, surfable faces on both sides. This means that one surfer can surf the left face and the other can surf the right face.
Surfing Etiquette
In surfing, there is a general code of conduct that surfers around the world abide by to stay safe and respect others. It can be intimidating for a beginner to try to learn all of the rules. Beginners often say that their biggest fears while surfing are about what other people will think of them rather than the danger or power of the waves.
When you understand the basic etiquette of surfing, you can focus more on enjoying the ride rather than the other surfers around you.
Priority
In surfing, not everyone can ride the same wave. But how do you know who gets to surf? The rule is the same in Olympic surfing as out on the beach. The surfer who is closest to the peak or the highest point of the wave has the right of way. This means that the surfer who is at the top of the wave has the potential of riding the wave for the longest period. This will also be the person furthest from the shore.
What is “Dropping In”?
When you paddle up to a wave, you will see a queue of surfers waiting to catch a wave. This is called the lineup. The person furthest right (at the peak of the wave) is first in line. When you get in the lineup facing the beach and the surfer to your right is going for the same wave, they have the right of way. If you cut in front of or “drop-in” on that surfer, you are basically cutting in line. (Source)
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to this rule.
- If the surfer with priority doesn’t catch the wave in time or falls off his/her board, you can jump in and take the opportunity.
- If you were closest to the peak (the furthest right in the lineup), but someone else already stood up to ride the wave, don’t try to get up.
- If you are positive that a surfer isn’t going to make it past a section of whitewater, you can drop in on the wave. This is risky because if they don’t fall, you are “burning” their wave.
How to Avoid “Dropping In”
Most surfers don’t drop in on purpose. Beginners are still getting used to the rules and the water, so it can happen.
To avoid dropping in, always look behind you to make sure there isn’t someone further up on the peak of the wave. If you are planning to surf left, look to your right and vice versa. If there is someone closer to the peak, yield to this person.
If you drop in on someone, they might call out to you to get out of the way. If you do drop in on accident, you can still fix your mistake if you realize it soon enough. Just go over the back of the wave and let the surfer with priority catch the wave.
What is Snaking?
Snaking is even worse than dropping in. Snaking is hard to do by mistake. Snaking is when you are behind someone in the lineup, but you paddle inside, closer to the peak to make it look like they had priority. (Source)
Most surfers on the water can clearly see who the snakes are and don’t tolerate them for long.
If you do happen to violate one of these etiquette rules, you probably won’t make many friends on the water. However, it always helps to admit to your mistakes and apologize. Most surfers will be understanding as long as you don’t make the same mistake again!
As beaches become more and more crowded, it is common to see surf spots full of a hundred or so surfers trying to catch the same wave. But unfortunately, that isn’t the way it works. However, why can’t two people surf on the same wave?
Two people can’t surf the same waves because it is dangerous as surfers can crash into each other. It is also disrespectful to “burn” or steal someone else’s wave. When a wave breaks to the right and the left, two surfers can share the same wave as long as they communicate with each other.
Once you understand the dangers of surfing the same wave, how to read waves, and surf etiquette, you will be well prepared to enjoy a day of surfing, even when at a busy spot.
What Happens When Two People Try to Surf the Same Wave?
When two people surf the same wave, going the same direction at speeds of 20 miles per hour plus, it is impossible to know where the other surfer is going. Because their path is unpredictable, neither surfer will be able to stay out of the other’s way, increasing the potential of a crash.
Running into another surfer could break surfboards and cause injuries. Surfboards have a pointy nose and sharp fin underneath, so a collision could cause head trauma and lacerations. This is very dangerous in the ocean because it puts the person at risk of drowning. Additionally, surfboards are heavy, so when it has gained speed and momentum, they could give someone a concussion or cause brain damage.
Surfing the same wave isn’t just about following rules, it is about keeping you and other surfers safe. Disregarding the rules can result in tragedy.
How to Tell if Two People Can Ride the Same Wave
When you see a small lump out on the horizon, it will eventually turn into a wave. With lots of practice, you can read waves and predict where they will go or in which direction they will break. There are four types of waves, but only one of them can be ridden by two surfers. The four kinds of waves are:
- Left wave
- Right wave
- A-frame wave
- Closeout wave
The only kind of wave with room for two surfers is an A-frame wave. This kind of wave takes the shape of a peak with shoulders going off to both the right and the left. The impact zone (where the wave crashes over on itself) will be all white water with two shoulders or flat, surfable faces on both sides. This means that one surfer can surf the left face and the other can surf the right face.
Surfing Etiquette
In surfing, there is a general code of conduct that surfers around the world abide by to stay safe and respect others. It can be intimidating for a beginner to try to learn all of the rules. Beginners often say that their biggest fears while surfing are about what other people will think of them rather than the danger or power of the waves.
When you understand the basic etiquette of surfing, you can focus more on enjoying the ride rather than the other surfers around you.
Priority
In surfing, not everyone can ride the same wave. But how do you know who gets to surf? The rule is the same in Olympic surfing as out on the beach. The surfer who is closest to the peak or the highest point of the wave has the right of way. This means that the surfer who is at the top of the wave has the potential of riding the wave for the longest period. This will also be the person furthest from the shore.
What is “Dropping In”?
When you paddle up to a wave, you will see a queue of surfers waiting to catch a wave. This is called the lineup. The person furthest right (at the peak of the wave) is first in line. When you get in the lineup facing the beach and the surfer to your right is going for the same wave, they have the right of way. If you cut in front of or “drop-in” on that surfer, you are basically cutting in line. (Source)
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to this rule.
- If the surfer with priority doesn’t catch the wave in time or falls off his/her board, you can jump in and take the opportunity.
- If you were closest to the peak (the furthest right in the lineup), but someone else already stood up to ride the wave, don’t try to get up.
- If you are positive that a surfer isn’t going to make it past a section of whitewater, you can drop in on the wave. This is risky because if they don’t fall, you are “burning” their wave.
How to Avoid “Dropping In”
Most surfers don’t drop in on purpose. Beginners are still getting used to the rules and the water, so it can happen.
To avoid dropping in, always look behind you to make sure there isn’t someone further up on the peak of the wave. If you are planning to surf left, look to your right and vice versa. If there is someone closer to the peak, yield to this person.
If you drop in on someone, they might call out to you to get out of the way. If you do drop in on accident, you can still fix your mistake if you realize it soon enough. Just go over the back of the wave and let the surfer with priority catch the wave.
What is Snaking?
Snaking is even worse than dropping in. Snaking is hard to do by mistake. Snaking is when you are behind someone in the lineup, but you paddle inside, closer to the peak to make it look like they had priority. (Source)
Most surfers on the water can clearly see who the snakes are and don’t tolerate them for long.
If you do happen to violate one of these etiquette rules, you probably won’t make many friends on the water. However, it always helps to admit to your mistakes and apologize. Most surfers will be understanding as long as you don’t make the same mistake again!