Can people clarify their understanding of wave riding etiquette/rules? Would like to have this clarified for myself as well as circulating this info so everyone has the same understanding. I'm a late comer to the waves, and in the past mainly sailed very uncrowded areas, now I am sailing with crowds I really am confused coz I hear different things from different people

My particular reference is to who has the right to the wave? the person going out furthest to get the wave who is coming back in with the wave or the person who is riding back out, but up wind and gybes/turns on the wave??

This seems to occur regularly and causes some confusion to say the least. It would be good to clarify this stuff so everyone has the same understanding and we can all enjoy the water together.

The other question. When sailing out from a wave break who has to give way the person going out or coming in?

Any other rules or etiquette would be handy.
__________________
Hardie (Board Butcher and Reef Magnet)

Wave etiquette c/- Windsurfing WA

www.windsurfwa.com/WA/rules.html

If someone has lined a wave up from way out back and another player then gybes onto that wave (even if they are up wind) then in my opinion (maybe not everyones) that person has just snaked the person who came from further out.

The people who have he tallent to stall and wait (whilst not swimming) for the waves to come in, You are all just showing of skills I don't have

At the end of the day big ocean, lots of wind and waves (hopefully), plus good crew still equates to lots of fun for all concerned[

Alby


This Way Up

good point!
had a day at Lano where a kitesurfer was doing tiny tacks staying upwind at main break.
Muckin around in the hollow section but without really surfing the wave...just going up and down up wind waiting for nice waves.
It was almost impossible to catch a wave for a while as his lines were always in the way.
In this situation it obviously happened so many time that you would be sitting on a wave from a bit further offshore and he will gybe just up wind of you on the wave....bloody annoying after a while...anyway after a bit of pressure from few riders he moved away a bit. This type of attitude is just plain stupid.

I leave the right of way to anyone upwind. Near the breaking zone, once the guy has gybed () ..it is the safest solution (i.e. surf rules), bloody annoying sometimes though (could always let the guy know in case he can't see sh## with his helmet or sunnies and didn't noticed he wasn't the only guy out )
The courtesy is not to gybe straight upwind of someone when really close to the breaking zone.

On the other hand you can't be sitting on a wave from 5 miles offshore and pretend it is yours!!! unless upwind of everyone.

From what ive read so far everyone is around the mark,there will always be different opinions as the conditions at different locations vary ie wind strengh ,direction,and tides changes,effecting everyones ability to plane,get up wind,and BUT handle,da size of da swell man.

Lets not forget when youve been a little underpowered or sailing with a smaller sail and board or your out there intrested in waveriding only or jumping only
OR
your arms are falling off, got ya first cramp. You been out there 3 hours and you gotta take da wave in man. ie your fingered man.

Also people take off at varying points of da wave.IE either going
backhand or forehand.

Gotta sum up other peoples predicament AND work with and around them.ie Ya Powered up floaty board overtake or gybing close and upwind,well thats not always nice is it, you ve got a choise man.

GENERAL WAVE RULE S SOME REVOLVE AROUND AVOIDING INJURY.

1 ALWAYS HOLD YOUR LINE GOING OUT FOR A JUMP,WAVE RIDER SHOULD GO AROUND THE JUMPER
2 UP WIND RIDER ALWAYS HAS RIGHT OF WAY AND CAN CALL YOU OFF DA WAVE [EVEN IF HE GYBE UP WIND OFF YOU] NOTE If you do this continually on downwind sailors who are on swell from out the back you become very unpopular.
3 TWO PEOPLE ON SAME SWELL. UP WIND SAILOR has right of way

4 YES YOU CAN SNAKE AND GYBE UP WINDie [IN SIDE] AS LONG AS YOUR UP WIND TO CLAM DA WAVE. AGAIN .[NOTE you become very unpopular and could be valve grinded.

5 IN CROWDS GOT OUT THE BACK AND BE THE LAST TO GYBE .THIS DOSE MANY THINGS
1 IT GIVES YOU POSITION TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE LINE UP
2 ENSURES YOU GET YOUR CLAIM OF DA SET WAVES
3 IT KEEPS YOU OUT OFF HASSELS AS YOU CAN CALL THE SHOTS AS YOUR UP WIND.
4 YOU CAN SELECT WHICH SET WAVE SUITS YOU BY SLOWING AND SPEEDING UP WITH OUT SNAKING AROUND ON DA INSIDE. [note dont be an asshole if someone is down wind and caught on the inside with out swell and you have a choise of 3 waves and can get him out of the **** by letting a wave through to them. help them enjoy themselves DA call is yours.

I CALL IT RHINO HUNTING. ie always hunt for the biggest sets it allows you to get a feel of what da oceans doing man.


Set your self up to do the abusing not be abused[**** off my fun man]

YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE

once upon a time we didnt need rule books or knife proof jackets(back stab proof) in mandurah. everyone respected & got on with each other. the beach was always a happy place to go, wether you surfed, sailed or kited. now in the last couple of years all that is changing. a few new people have move into the area & want to change things to suit them, they can't live with out rules & regs & want to force them onto other beach users, some who have been there a long time, not a couple of years. maybe if all your having a problem at the beach you've only been sailing at for a relativly short time you should look at sailing at a differant location.

firstly my message was for several people who rightfully use our beach. not just one person. secondly, we do have a nice community & always have had, but you really do have to take a long hard look at some one who comes along & starts trying to change things. sort of try to figure out where they're coming from.(are they a control freak or do they mean well). 3rd you are 180 deg off course on the I.D. tiger. see you out there.(what a nasty reaction to something that wasn't directed to any individual. touchy touchy.)