Stand Up Paddling Rules in the Surf
Be polite. Teetering way up there on your big floaty stand up paddle board makes you particularly obvious to other surfers. So amidst the lineup full of surfers, one wrong move will stick out like dogs balls. You’re in the spotlight, so don’t give ‘em an excuse to get agro.
Don’t ‘Drop In’. Dropping in is the act of paddling into a wave that somebody else is already surfing. Stand up paddle boards can catch waves from way out on the shoulder, so even if there’s a shortboarder tucked way up under the lip, don’t think you can just ride the shoulder and keep him happy. Leave that wave and pick up the next one.
Don’t ‘Snake’. Because stand up paddle boarders pick up waves further out the back than surfers, it’s easy to be up and surfing well before they get a chance. Give them a chance. They had to paddle all that way with their hands! Better still, catch waves a little closer in, level with the other surfers, that way you might blend in more!
Paddle for the whitewater. Yeah, it sucks, but you know what sucks even more? Having your wave ruined by a surfer paddling in front of you. If you’re paddling out and a surfer (of any kind, even a wind/kite surfer!) is on the wave, turn for the whitewater and cop it on the head.
Closest to the whitewater gets the wave. If two of you turn for the same wave, whoever is closest to where the whitewater is about to break, gets to continue their paddle. If that is not you, then stop paddling and kick off, give the guy who had the balls to take off deeper than you a fair go.
Call it. You and another guy turn and paddle for a wave, and the beachie throws a lip between you both, call that you’re turning left. If the other guy calls right, everybody is friends. The other guy calls left, and he’s going for the back door so get out of his way. Either way, you both know what’s going on.
Remember SUPers, you’re in the spotlight out there on the water! So be friendly, and make some new friends this spring on the water.
Chiton, SA
