SAFETY & RESPECT SURF RULES
The surf etiquette
Here is a few rules you HAVE TO KNOW AND RESPECT while surfing in Kedungu Beach and everywhere else in the world. Surfing looks like a smooth, sharing, safe sport from the beach because people respect this list of things to do while in the water. Most accidents happen when some people don’t follow theses basics steps of respect and common sense. A board or a fin can injure really badly. The goal is to have fun not to get hurt, so please read this if you’re not aware of the safety & respect surf rules.
RESPECT = SAFETY + FUN
Surf priority rules
Let’s start with wave priority. When you’ll be comfortable enough to ride a green wave, or when your surf teacher will think you’re ready for it, you’ll go to a real wave or its shoulder. So you’ll go to the main peak and wait in the line up, line up is not just a fun word, wait for your turn in the line, it’s the basic and it is all about respecting each other.
- The surfer who’s the closest to the lip, curl, peak(where the wave breaks) has the right of way and priority over all others surfers. If you respect the line up, your turn will come don’t be impatient.
- The surfer who’s farther outside and away from the shore has priority over all other surfers sitting or paddling on the inside, even if they’re closer to the breaking part of the wave.
1 WAVE = 1 SURFER
SAFETY & RESPECT
YOU SHALL RESPECT PRIORITY RULES
Described above there is 2 rules. Only 2 rules. Don’t be a douche respect them.
YOU SHALL NOT DROP IN
Concept of riding a wave while you don’t have the priority right in front of the surfer who has the priority. Rude & disrespectful, booooh on you if you do this.
If you drop in, first it is super rude because you did not respect the line up, second you will annoy a surfer who has been waiting for his/her turn.If you don’t fully control your board, and maybe the surfer who has been dropped is not an expert either YOU WILL GET HURT. Don’t underestimate the pain caused by a soft board.
If you drop in by accident, it can happen no worries, you have to kick out (=get out of the wave) or pull back your board.
YOU SHALL NOT SNAKE
Concept of paddling around to get closer to the breaking point and get priority while breaking up the line up. Rude & disrespectful, huge booooh on you if you do this.
OK some good or wannabe good surfers don’t give a damn about theses rules I know. Well « snakers », as they’re called in surfing, are everywhere … in the world in every situation so let’s karma decides when their turn will come (evil laugh).
YOU SHALL NOT GET IN THE WAY
Channels are amazing, they lift you up to the peak, easy to paddle, there is no waves so no surfers ! This area is for going to the line up. Don’t paddle out in front of the peak, you’ll be in the middle of someone’s ride or you’ll get smashed by the waves.
Getting smashed will happen let’s be honest we all get caught in the « washing machine » once and then, but at least save your energy and try to avoid it while paddling out.
YOU SHALL NOT THROW YOUR BOARD
Control your board. Not so easy when you’re a beginner, but boards, all boards : shortboard, longboard, soft top, hard board,.. they hurt. And fins even more … be careful for you and the others around.
YOU SHALL COMMUNICATE
Communication is the key, especially on a A frame wave (like the main peak of Kedungu Beach) where two surfers can enjoy the same wave in different directions.
YOU SHALL NOT DIVE HEAD FIRST
Reef or sand under, never dive head first.
YOU SHALL WEAR SUNBLOCK
Protect your skin with a waterproof sunblock, UV-proof lycra, … we have only one skin and you don’t want to look like a tomato either.
YOU SHALL STAY IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE
If you’re beginning, don’t try to impress anybody, don’t go to a too complicated peak for your level or take a surf lesson.
YOU SHALL NOT EAT TOO MUCH BEFORE SURFING
Well at least wait 45min after a meal for going surfing. You’ll throw up if you don’t … experience is talking.
YOU SHALL RESPECT THE SWELL CONDITIONS
Especially for Kedungu surf spot, you have to come surfing during the right swell & tide conditions.
YOU SHALL WARM UP BEFORE SURFING
Like every sport, you have to warm up before surfing, it will reduce the risk of injury or cramps, …
YOU SHALL NOT SURF ALONE
Be sure there is at least one surfer outside. First if nobody ’s here there is maybe a reason, second if anything happens, there is someone to help you out.
YOU SHALL RESPECT THE BEACH & THE OCEAN
Do I really have to talk about this in 2020 ?
YOU SHALL GIVE RESPECT TO RECEIVE RESPECT
Sharing is caring, respect and communicate with others and everything will be fine. If you’re new on a spot, go to the locals and learn from them and/or about them. I’m talking about Kedungu beach, we are all friendly as long as everybody respect the rules and give space to everybody, especially to beginners (come on everybody has the right to learn). Don’t be shy to contact me or if you see me at the beach, just come over and let’s have a chat, I can explain you the spot and/or we can share a wave or a bintang !