You’ve got the board and the wetsuit but before you paddle out at Jenness Beach or The Wall, there is one more thing you need: The Unwritten Rules of the Ocean.
1. Right of Way: The Golden Rule
The surfer closest to the "peak" (where the wave first starts to break) has the right of way.
If someone is already on the wave and riding toward you, do not paddle into it.
* "Dropping in" on someone isn't just rude; it’s the most common cause of injuries and collisions. My buddy Mike left two indents on my shins the last time we were out. It was clearly my wave. Trust me, I never let him hear the end of it. I might have even sent him a diagram of who has the right of way on a wave with arrows and labels.
2. Don’t "Snake"
"Snaking" is when a surfer paddles around another person to get closer to the peak and "claim" the wave. It’s a major breach of etiquette. Wait your turn in the lineup. There are plenty of waves for everyone if we respect the rotation. Just be prepared, locals might not follow this one, especially for the new guy in town. Be patient, if comfortable, make small talk. They may let you in on a couple if you show them that you're a good human and not a kook or I'd recommend simply moving to a different spot.
*Be sure that you can handle where the waves are peaking. Nothing worse than floating next to someone in a spot that's beyond their ability who misses the good waves. It happens, but if it occurs say more than twice, respect the lineup and move elsewhere.
3. The Paddle Out: Stay Out of the Way
When you are paddling back out to the lineup, never paddle through the impact zone where surfers are currently riding.
Paddle around and aim away from the active surfers. Look for a channel where waves aren't breaking.
If you find yourself in a surfer's path, paddle toward the whitewater (the foam), not toward the "face" of the wave. It’s better for you to get hit by the foam than for a surfer to hit you with their fins.
4. Hold Onto Your Board
This is the #1 safety rule for beginners. Whenever possible, never ditch your board. If a big wave is coming and you're not going to make it over the top or if you are scared, do not just let go of your board and dive. An 8-foot board on a 10-foot leash becomes a 18-foot danger zone for anyone swimming behind you. Practice your "turtle rolls" to get under the waves safely while keeping your equipment under control. You may even want to wax your rails to give you better grip.
On the flip side, never paddle out directly behind someone, especially a beginner. You never know when they might lose grip of their board and/or ditch. Get ready to get the eye roll or be yelled out if you're a "ditcher".
*IMPORTANT - When a wave is approaching, be sure to have your board perpendicular to the face of the wave.
5. Communicate
A little "Going right!" or "All yours!" goes a long way. If you accidentally drop in on someone (it happens!), a quick and sincere "Sorry about that!", "My bad", "It won't happen again", usually clears the air immediately. Some folks get more aggravated than others. You might continue to get attitude. I find the best thing to do is quietly listen until their done. you're not going to change their mind. Last time I was at the Mix in Puerto Rico, I witnessed an irate surfer paddling like a mad dog around the line up accosting anyone that might happen to know the guy that dropped in on him. It was a bad look.
6. Respect the Beach
The NH seacoast is our home. Respect the locals, including the swimmers, walkers, and the sun bathers. Follow the parking rules at Jenness and at "The Wall", as well as, along Route 1A, and always pack out more trash than you brought in.
Learn the "Rules of the Road" with E Street
At E Street Surf School, we don’t just teach you how to stand up; we teach you how to be a respectful, confident member of the surf community. Our instructors walk you through these rules in real time during every lesson and surf camp.