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1. Surf etiquette – For the Novice in the Lineup
Lets face it, stand-up-paddleboards are in water
everywhere, it is an issue that cannot be put aside any
longer. The emergence of the modern SUP began when
surfers like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama brought it
mainstream in the early 2000’s, in just over a decade, SUPs
have appeared in every lineup across the globe. Unless a
little education is given to those folks new to the lineup or
those lacking a little common sense, there will be continued
resistance from surfers toward SUP’ers until a happy
medium is met. Novice SUP’ers who have no idea about
basic surfing etiquette, will continue to paddle out on their
fresh Costco SUP’s and further give reason for the
prohibition of SUPs on all beaches north and south. While
stand up paddleboards are looked at with loathing from the
die-hard traditional surfers, there are many who convert to
SUPs in-order to maximize wave count and stoke in
otherwise flat and slow conditions. The issue with SUPs in
the lineup has gone to the local governing board to
reconsider the long standing US Coast Guard (might want
to check facts on this! I don’t think the coastguard got
involved with CA beaches.) Vessel rule in Cardiff, San
Onofre, Hanalei Bay and many other beaches throughout
California and Hawaii. There have been Coast Guard
crackdowns in other states as well, requiring all stand-ups
to have a lifejacket on board or on the operator.
We have all heard the derogatory words used to describe
stand up paddlers; sweepers, janitors, oar dorkers, wavehogs, etc. While these comments are aimed at SUPers, you
can almost bet that the mouths they are coming out of have

2. never set foot on an SUP. There seems to be an overall
consensus that SUP's take over lineups and infect the youth
of future generations. A big issue with SUP’ers in the
lineup is the general lack of any basic etiquette; this is the
root of all evils directed toward standup paddlers. Below
are some issues that arise in any lineup where surfers and
standup paddle boarders congregate, and some good advise
to those who wish to be accepted in a predominately surfer
oriented lineup.
*Disclaimer* some spots (i.e. locals) do not take kindly to
SUP's, (i.e.: Honaloa Bay, Maui) so do your research and
find a spot suited to your ability and local acceptance.
Know your limits.
Beginners are a fact of life. Call them what you will, but
don’t forget that you were there once. Like beginner
surfers, most of the SUP crowd appears to have missed the
memo that you do not go to the best waves around to learn
how to surf or standup. A lot of people that have never
surfed before see standup paddle boarding in their fitness
magazines and cheesy celebrity television shows and think
they can have a piece of the action at the best breaks in
town. The big difference is the beginner standup paddlers
do not realize they are handling a dangerous weapon that
could cause serious injury or even death to those wielding it
inside the shoreline. SUP boards are quite a bit heavier then
traditional surfboards and carry significantly more
momentum and danger to the inside surf zone. If you love
to stand up paddleboard and know that you are going to be
bailing a lot, please do not practice around surfers or inside
on a crowded public beach. This could be devastating to

3. those in the line of fire. Crowded lineups are hard enough
to navigate with surfers and Joe public on the inside.
Surfers and the unsuspecting swimmer or kids don’t need to
be dodging small ships in the surf line while enjoying a
sunny beach day
Wait your turn ~ Just because SUPer’s can catch every
wave, doesn’t mean they should.
If a skilled SUPer is going to wait out the back for the next
big bomb, he/she must keep a sharp eye on the inside to
make sure all the surfers have ridden waves before they
catch your boom. Respect others in the lineup and
remember you the SUPer have 5 times the advantage over
any surfers sitting or lying pone on his/her board. Because
of the size of board, the flotation advantage and paddle
advantage are 5 fold any surfers. Keep in mind, surfers ride
relatively smaller boards that do not provide anything close
to the floatation of a typical SUP board. Standup paddlers
also have a greater visual advantage while in the water.
Standup-paddle-boarders are four to six feet higher off the
water and can see waves coming long before prone or
sitting surfers have even the slightest hint of any incoming
set. Try this approach; while realizing your advantage,
inform others in the lineup of an incoming set and let them
take a few before you make your move. Be vocal and ask
permission if you are paddling into a bomb and it looks like
other surfers are hungry for the same wave. You might be
surprised at the acceptance that is thrown your way if
respect is sensed in a crowded point break. You might get
snaked a few times, but eventually the rest of the sit-down
lineup will realize that you are trying to be respectful and

4. might wave you into a few. Everyone knows you can catch
more waves than the traditional surfers, but this doesn’t
mean you should. Whether you are surfing or standup
paddling, no one likes a wave hog.
Stay out of the way of other surfers or beach goers.
Any surfer that has surfed a season in Southern California
knows the feeling of waiting all day for that one perfect
wave just to have it ruined by a bunch of people in your
way. This is especially true for standup paddlers. Be
conscientious of surfers or swimmer, most know it’s
impossible to duck dive a standup board, so move down the
beach where waves are to be had with less of a crowd.
Know the priority system~ Respect the rotation
Please do not expect to paddle out when it’s firing and
score wave after wave and expect everyone to be okay with
it. Instead read the above rules and be patient.
Are you searching for Da Fins? A surfer closest to the
breaking wave has priority. The surfer who stands up first
typically has priority, but there is a grey area with this rule
because of longboards and the recent SUP explosion. The
surfer on the wave has priority, so get out of his/her way by
any means possible, be sure to look behind you and if you
must bail know your surrounding and yell to those in the
line of fire if danger in coming their direction. Wait your
turn, be respectful, don’t be greedy, or scramble for

5. position and you shouldn’t have any problems at most
breaks.
Have fun.
Use common sense in the water, don’t abuse the stand up
advantage, respect each other, relax and have fun. And
remember that the best person in the line up is the one
having the most fun.
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on SUP, Surfing, Lifeguard and all things water related!
Earn your salt!