Surfing etiquette
I have been a board surfer for several years and try and get out most weekends. It seems to me that things have changed in recent years probably because of the increase in numbers doing both kayaking and surfing, it used to be that there would only be a few people out whether kayakers or surfers and each would take their turn on the wave.
However nowdays it seems like it is getting to the point where I feel like killing the majority of kayakers whom I have the displeasure of being on the water with.
Kayakers nowadays seem to think that just because you are further out gives you the automatic right to every single wave, you think nothing of paddling around behind a surfer in the line to catch the wave ahead of them and even when you catch the wave you pay no attention for others on the wave closer to the break.
Moroever, most of you seem to regard a surfer paddling out as a fair target to be aimed at when surfing a wave in or pride yourselves in being an obstruction to surfers when paddling out..
There has been talk of surfing clubs approaching local coucil to ban kayakers and other dangerous users such as jetskis from certain breaks. I hope this is not required and you guys start to cop on!
Thats a mighty big brush your painting us all with there lewis!
Im a board surfer myself but whenever im out in my boat I give you guys plenty of room and most of the time surf a different break to you all together.
I've been plenty fustrated enough times with surfers who block the line up and then unless the wave is easily caught dont make the effort to catch it and waste everyone else's time. Dont think ye are the guardians of the sea! It belongs to everyone & if you just had a little patience and maybe a polite word with the odd offending paddler I'm sure you'll find they are generally only a beginner and unfimilar with the process and also more than happy to give you a wide berth in the future.
I blamn jack johnson, its been a while since we had a surfing bashing paddlers on the board and I had fallen back into the notion of the "chilled out jack johnson" style surfer stereotype!
"There has been talk of surfing clubs approaching local coucil to ban kayakers and other dangerous users such as jetskis from certain breaks. I hope this is not required and you guys start to cop on"
You're really not a sterotypical surfer.. honestly, you're not...
Ya da, ya da, ya da, I'm a boardie and a boater and all i can say is its great when it gets cold and the summer boarders are gone.
Nice quiet lineups. The fact that your on here complaining at this time of year says more about you than the people around ya in the lineup.
This is most likely a flippin windup anyway 
Kayaks can't take off as deep as a board and usually the boardies snake the line when a kayaker is involved anyway. The kayaker gets pissed off and goes out the back a bit to get a few waves and the boardies are crying then.
Its also easier to get caught out on the inside in a kayak ( cant duck dive them ya know ) so there is the odd accidental drop in.
When I'm out on my board I can spot the kayakers who don't have a clue and the ones who just don't care and generally find they are usually out numbered by boarders in the same vain.
Here's a deal for ya Kayakers only on Easky left and Boarders on Easky right. You'll only have your own lot to give out about then 
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
There has been talk of surfing clubs approaching local coucil to ban kayakers and other dangerous users such as jetskis from certain breaks. I hope this is not required and you guys start to cop on.
That is actually the stupidist thing i've ever heard, and would love to be there when the council gets your complaint coz i know exactly what they're going to do with it. even if they were to do something about it, in ireland it would be impossible to enforce so keep empty threats to yourself and off our board please!
as for what you say about us being ignorant to surfers, it goes both ways, i've had more run in's with surfers wanting to own the ocean, than with anyone else in my life. Kayakers respect the "further up the shoulder" etiquette but whoever is on the wave first has right of way and thats it...
also remember alot of kayak surfers will surf the wash straight in (unless ur good enough to carve the length) so if a surfer is coming in from the side the kayaker is going straight, this is just two different surfing styles conflicting. so before u say we are just getting in ur way. Also no kayaker would never intentionally aim for a swimming surfer, thats just inflammatory crap on ur behalf, the liability to him/her self alone would put you off, seconded by the aggro, and lastly, kayakers really arent mean people. ask yourself what gives surfing any more right to surf spots than kayak surfing?
you'll never find a kayaker on a surf forum giving out about your bad etiquette. cop on man, u'r not doing your sport any favours...
t
its quiet possible i did get that smell of windup off it at first and why would anyone intentionally coming on here to slag us off actually register their full or real name.
If it is the return of stevo i cant wait for his next post its been so boring lately!
Here's a deal for ya Kayakers only on Easky left and Boarders on Easky right. You'll only have your own lot to give out about then...
Trouble with that plan is that the Easky "locals" - you know, the guys from Devon and Cornwall - won't like people from outside surfing Easky right...
I agree:
It's fair to say all paddlers should be aware of surfing etiquette though - just not in such an attitude (windup?)
Maybe make the post a bit more productive by adding a link explaining surfing etiquette? That could work.....
This is an age old rant that raises it's ugly head every now and then.
I don't surf a board, but do kayak surf and can see some merrit in what Lewis is saying, particularly if there are large numbers on the water.
There is an etiquette and should be respected by both sides.
I'm afraid Tiernan your comment "but whoever is on the wave first has right of way and thats it..." is way off the mark and is exactly what Lewis/Stevo D is talking about.
Boarders need to back off with the attitude and kayakers need to learn a bit of surfing etiquette.
H
Exactly - a surfer with a bad attitude having a go at a beginner is just going to look like a prick - and who listens to a prick
best way is to politly say to the offender what they did wrong and what they should do in future and then it makes for a safer and friendlier beach
i'm not an expert of surf etiquette - but i follow common sense by letting everyone have a fair amount of time catching waves - what else is there?
and anyone who delibratly aims for someone, be it a kayaker or surfer (which happens quite a bit too) deserves to have their respective craft of choice shoved up their arse
Surfers in particular seem to be intimidated by plastic kayaks piloted by fully river-outfitted riders. I,ve noticed a slightly warmer reception to composite HP surf kayaks piloted by Steamer-suited Folk. (The use of a steamer for some precludes wearing a BA...personal choice)
Surfers seem intrigued by the similarities.....3 fins, same materials, surf board profile, similar suits, and way less body armour (Bulky BA's, Superpuffed Cags, River Chainsaws, Stormtrooper Helmuttes, Karabiner racks etc.- lets face it a fully outfitted river paddler in surf is a fearsome sight......
Gasp....What a coincidence!.... did i just notice an ad for a surf kayak posted 5 minutes ago........
Noreen This sponge cake is to DIE for.......dont tell me...its STORK margarine
Trouble with that plan is that the Easky "locals" - you know, the guysfrom Devon and Cornwall - won't like people from outside surfing Easky right...
I hear ya. A couple of years ago on Easky left a flippen Aussie boarder gave me the whole local bullshit. I'd seen him knocking around for a couple of weeks and now he was a Local.
I invited the numpty up to the house for tea
The whole "local" thing started abroad when the sport got popular and breaks got busy.
It was never a Irish thing ( secret spots now thats different ) but there are a few numptys about now.
Ah sure its not just in surf anyway other example of friction caused by snobery and we where here fist'ism
Snowboarder vs skiers
Hill-walkers vs Mountain-bikers
Male golfers vs All women
Jet skiers vs all other water users
the list is endless
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
I thought I was being fair and reasonable but it seems like in every sport you get people who over react. However I take some of yer points.
Here is a link to a post telling kayakers how to behave
http://www.performancevideo.com/node/77
Nice link but don't be looking for a career in politic's lewis.
Maybe instead of telling us to behave you could ask and loose the disrespecting type attitude that seems all to popular amoung surfers. Usually found in sheepish surfers who read too many foreign mags and go Bhaa with the same crap over here. Your in Ireland mate. Cop the fcuk on.
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
I would suggest, Lewis, that if you really are as annoyed as you seem then perhaps take the more formal route of approaching the Irish Canoe Union (ICU) and ask them to disseminate leaflets regarding surf etiquette and rules amongst kayakers. Either that or approach a spokesperson from the ISA who might have a better notion of diplomacy and ask them to post a message.
Posting comments like the underlined below does nothing for relations between anybody using the oceans. What was said could have been presented in a manner far more courteous but not necessarily any less to the point.
Some of my closest friends are Irish surfers and they and I have happily surfed side by side having great fun in packed line ups for the last 15 odd years. There’s no need to perpetuate unhelpful conflict because of personal grievance. (Please don’t kill anyone Lewis)
Ultimately it is a matter of etiquette which all ocean users must learn, during which times experienced ocean users might have patience and constructive criticism to offer.I feel like killing the majority of kayakers whom I have the displeasure of being on the water with
you catch the wave you pay no attention for others on the wave closer to the break.
most of you seem to regard a surfer paddling out as a fair target to be aimed at when surfing a wave in or pride yourselves in being an obstruction to surfers when paddling out.
There has been talk of surfing clubs approaching local coucil to ban kayakers and other dangerous users such as jetskis from certain breaks. I hope this is not required and you guys start to cop on!
Apologies for the dramatic nature of my post, I have a head ache.
Shake it easy
Nick
you think nothing of paddling around behind a surfer in the line to catch the wave ahead of them and even when you catch the wave you pay no attention for others on the wave closer to the break.
Moroever, most of you seem to regard a surfer paddling out as a fair target to be aimed at when surfing a wave in or pride yourselves in being an obstruction to surfers when paddling out..
Right so, kayakers dont paddle out behind surfers, and obviously surfers dont paddle out behind kayakers (if they're in "firing line")
Also, surfers or kayakers paddling out through the surf should make sure and paddle well around the surf. You don't want to see a group and head for them. When someone catches a wave you're going to be an obstacle for them. It's a real bummer having to steer, and run an obstacle course on this wave because of people paddling out.
so surfers are doing the same as kayakers, only WE should get out of your way???
really hope this is a wind up but stevo's posts were funny!!
Respect for all, Boardies kayakers,windsurfers, fishermen you name it.
Out of control kayakers!!!! maybe on a tourist beach on a bank holiday along with 20 foam boarders. Why a seasoned pro like Lewis would be on these beginner breaks is beyond me. Out of control, could be the fact that you don’t understand what they are doing. Have met a lot of surfers who are genuinely friendly but these are normally the ones who can surf in the first place, not someone who normally has the wrong board out at the wrong time, my advice, sit on it and grumble to yourself about the line up while everyone else has fun. There is plenty of these who shrug at your existence on a board/kayak who then get insulted because your catching waves & while not even beide them. Don’t know where you come from but there is plenty of surf spots so get over it. Maybe go down to Lahinch and ask John Mccarthy how to have some respect got a loan of a leash of him without even asking (roof strap otherwise).
pulled this from some site linked to corksurfclub.
Surf Etiquette - General GuidelinesThe ocean is for everyone to enjoy in a safe and respectful manner. The last few years have seen a large influx in the surfing scene all over New England. If we all can follow a few simple rules it will make for a surfing experience filled with good memories and tales of surf for years to come.
1) Please drive slowly and carefully through inhabited areas and towns. Many coastal towns have small children who play in or near the streets and roads.
2) Respect the environment, do not litter and use the portable johns and full facilities available at many nearby beaches.
3) Respect the locals and the other surfers around you and learn the Surfer's Code of Ethics (see below).
4) If you are a longboarder or a kayaker respect the short boarders and body boarders who are trying to catch waves further down in the break zone: let them catch more than "a few" waves.
Thanks to AEL for the original version of the guidelines. Send any additions and corrections to webmaster@nesurf.com
Surfer A is up and surfing a wave, Surfer B is paddling to take-off. Surfer A has right of way. Surfer B must get out of the way of Surfer A. If B does catch the wave he/she is "dropping-in" on Surfer A. NEVER DROP IN!
lewis,most of this is bull,a longboarder will catch a wave before any kayaker and anyway there are very few kayakers who are able to surf a peeling wave like a surfer
most people who surf kayak in the winter will board surf durng the summer when its busy and the water warms up.
if you see a kayak "aiming" at a surfer the kayak is probably sliding sideways and out of control,unless youre in a playboat it can be hard to straighten out if you get stuck sideways.
pointless posts like this solve nothing and only highlight the ignorance of a few surfers who annoy everyone,and increase tension in lineups
"pointless posts like this solve nothing and only highlight the ignorance of a few surfers who annoy everyone,and increase tension in lineups"
The whole point of my post was highlighting the ignorance of kayakers and decreasing the tension in the lineup. I think the responses above prove the point
I beg everyone not to entertain this guy any more! We all know the score, live and let live...
Adrian
