Wave priority - an unsolvable question?

I am heading off on a Maldives surf trip (on a boat) next year. Ten friends so it is an instant crowd. This will be our fourth trip but on every trip we have the same issues - wave sharing/priority.

Anyone have a wave sharing system that works when you have a mix of board lengths and surfing skills, spread out over maybe 40m along a single reef break?

It is a common situation, but I'll explain it anyway:

+ Everyone prone except me...
+ Board size ranging from a couple of guys on 6'10" short boards through to a few ~9'3" mals
+ The "kid" is the youngest at 50 and the oldest is probably 60. Weights/fitness vary greatly.
+ Mostly fast reef breaks so at one end you have the critical takeoff and maybe 30m away the shoulder with a more mellow ride
+ A couple of guys always paddle to the most critical spot but make some attempt to take turns
+ A few guys hang around the shoulder (older, heavier, on mals) and want a less intense wave
+ There can be 30-40m between the two spots so it can be hard to tell who is owed a wave

From past experience the guys on the shoulder don't get their share. They aren't happy.

Some of the guys will frequently paddle after waves, either miss it or choose not to take it, but they don't count it as a wave. The guys on the shoulder may get those.

My tactic is to paddle close to the critical spot but paddle out deeper and sit on my board. I watch and wait until everyone has had their turn. When I stand up it is basically a signal to the others that it is my turn. There are still occasional little comments about sup wave hogging. Some of the other guys get a bit of ribbing about hogging or dropping in.

Before every trip we talk about sharing waves, and we make some attempt, but there is often a little bit of agro during the trip, but there are always a few grumbles and long faces.

Anyone got a system that works?

First days just watch. Get a fishing rod and go SUP fishing for a while let your friends jumping on each others on the same spot, please separate them if struggle
At the last days I promise you some rides by yourself

Just be yourself.

some days... nasty and a wave hog ,,,,,then some days a carring ,unselfish ,surf dude .

But it use to be ,surf rules .who Evers standing up first ,so that's us.Ha .Ha.

Ten friends? Don't friends take turns and call each other onto waves?
Some good suggestions already.
Guys on the shoulder always get the un-ridden or left over waves, that's the price for not sitting in the take off zone. If they really are friends, then no matter where they are, take turns. Guys on the inside, when it's not 'their turn' could take off and ride until the guys on the shoulder are lining up (very hard to pull off a good wave though).
If you paddle for a wave and miss or pull back, that should be counted as your wave, guys will be more discerning on what they paddle for and also miss far less waves. That should reduce waiting time for everyone.

Not a perfect science but it can be done.

I would have thought that 10 guys in excellent conditions could have far worse troubles, but surely if these are long sessions then everyone would get their fair share regardless of any pecking order - the same as any other surf spot? The weak paddle in when they are tired, the paddle-fit stay longer etc? I think you may be overthinking it by making sure everyone gets their quota and is happy, with a group of mates I think it will be pretty obvious if someone is getting less than their share, whether they are vocal about it or not. Some will like to take off deep, some on the shoulder, and some swear and curse because they didn't catch it, even though they perhaps held back..... It is just the nature of it.
You could penalise those that are deemed to have pulled back (costing them a wave) through whatever means hurts, shouting first beers for the night etc, or worst case, split the cost of a few go-pro's 10 ways and allocate 30 minute sessions to 5 people filming / 5 people surfing - but I would expect that to be a last resort among friends, surely!

Scott.

Wave priority - an unsolvable question?
Yup

If I were to paddle out at any break with 9 of my friends, I, and the other 9, would just be asking for trouble from the others that are already out.
A group of 10 showing up at once, also known as a "port-a-crowd" in the U.S., is bad etiquette in itself, it's not a welcoming sight.

But if it's just the 10 of you alone, then you have no problems that beers at the end of the session couldn't cure.

Loz 79 Agree with your approach at a new wave spot as this has worked for me numerous times at different heavy local areas such as newcastle, north narrabeen, avoca, little avalon, crescent, . Perhaps the only time it didn't was at newport wedge with the local crew.
Just sit on the shoulder call the locals on a few set waves and then take the inside ones yourself that line up better on the reef. As the maldives are all reef spots this technique might work with locals but as your all mates. Get a bit more crafty.
My mates use this rule, if its over 4 foot and pumping let the good guys get the waves first and then let the shoulder holders get the rest of the waves, when its under 4 foot to 2 foot but glassy encourage the shoulder holders to follow a more experienced mate more inside to gain confidence this usually breaks up the crowd and its amazing how quickly the better surfers will help out the less experienced of they have had good waves the day before. Also take second sup if you can for the wave hogs to try as they will want to show they can master that just as well as their short boards.
I also agree with kami let the good guys hit it on day one and just encourage the shoulder holders and yourself to go fishing or snorkeling its the maldives and the fishing is going to be better than the surfing anyway.
I have also been on a trip where the biggest fish gained priority for the next day. As well as each person being the camera man each day which was also great until it was solid for four straight days and no one wanted to take the pictures.

The 12' skiff guys in Sydney have a daily ritual after each race in their regattas - the boat that has done the best nosedive for the day is presented with "The Divers Helmet", which is an old WW2 style german helmet. The "winner" has to wear it for 24 hours, until it is handed off to the next winner.
That means he has to wear it around the club, or wear it out if they go out. He's not allowed to take it off.
It's a very serious and esteemed ritual or them.

You could possibly adapt this to your surf trip.
Get an appropriate hat or other item of clothing and vote for the day's wave hog.
The winner has to wear it for 24 hours.
In your circumstances it would probably have to be something shameful rather than a token of achievement.

Wearing a mankini for 24 hours on a surf trip may do the trick...

Or maybe a 4/3 steamer?

I've organised an Indo surf trip annually for the last 9 years, normally with 8 mates although the attendees and location vary a little with each trip. We have a small women's pink t-shirt which has never been washed (hence covered in smears of sate and other untraceable stains so tends to stink a bit). If someone drops in, snakes, wave hogs or just acts like a pussy or a dick (by decision of the group) he has to wear the pink t-shirt for 24 hours and has to be the beer bitch until someone takes it of him. Seems to work pretty well and keeps a bit of banter going out at the break and on shore. Works especially well if were heading out for a big night

Maaateeeeeeee....the answer is Blu-tak. Good to keep cold water out of ears, even better keeping complaints out

I agree with mastbender that its bad etiquette to bomb the line up with 10 guys.
But if its just u and ur mates....get as many waves as u can!

Sit deep and take off late on your surfboard and you'll get respect. Sit deep and take off late on your sup and you're a greedy pr!ck. Makes no sense but it is what it is.

Better they look at the girls than stare at your butt in the surf while you stand there