Surf and Play Rules Of the Road
Chris Constantine
7- -0, 2005Now that the summer is here I thought it would be a good idea to write down the basic rule of the road for surfing and playboating. This way you will not upset anyone else at the beach and enjoy the waves a lot more.
I have organised several play and surf trips in the coming months. If there is enough support I would like to do a session every 1-2 weeks on a Monday or Friday and a couple of weekend trips to Nene, Nottingham and the Tryweryn and a few other places around Britain (see the Playboating Trips section of the Newsletter.)
Ocean Surf
1. When paddling out try to avoid going straight through the line up - try to stick to the smaller parts of the waves or less crowed parts of the beach
2. Before catching a wave look left right and ahead of you - if its clear then go for it - if its not, pull out
3. If two people are on the wave go in different directions: THE SURFER NEAREST THE BREAKING PART OF THE WAVE HAS PRIORITY, DO NOT DROP IN ON THEM, WAIT THERE ARE ENOUGH WAVES FOR EVERYONE.
4. Try and stay on the green face in the pocket(where the waves breaking this has the most power
5. Once the wave has broken get off don’t ride the white wash into the beach wiping out everyone
6. NO WHOOPING ON 1-2FT Waves its not big or clever you just look VERY SILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. If there’s a camera man in the water please try to concentrate on the wave they will avoid you and probably duck dive at the last minute
On river waves and holes
- Try to take it in turns one at a time
- Wait till the person is completely off before entering the wave.
- Surf with some else if they let you - discuss in eddy before
- Look left and right if there is an eddy either side of wave and also upstream
- If someone’s coming from up stream they have right of way.
If someone swims rescue them (as long as you are competent to do so) don’t just leave it to some one else just cause you’re the next in the line up
Work together and every one will be happy and enjoy themselves more.
So there you have it. Follow these simple rules and have fun show the boardies that goat boaters know how to surf properly and get us the respect we deserve! If not be prepared for some abuse of surfers’ boat or board or anyone else you cut up
Have fun be safe,
Chris Constantine
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