08/17/2026
At many surf spots like pointbreaks and reef breaks surfers wait in line for their turn to take a wave.
As a wave is coming for you, you take it, then paddle back and return to the end of the line. It’s the most peaceful way to share waves.
On beach breaks, waves break in more spots, and lineups can be less organized.
Even then, it helps to be aware of who’s been waiting longest. Try to follow the natural rhythm of the crowd.
If you paddle for a wave and don’t catch it, it still counts as a go and you don’t get an other chance. To respect the order at the peak you will need to go back to the end of the line.
Don’t be the greedy longboarder. As bigger surfboards paddle much faster, they make it possible to catch waves sooner and further out than other surfers with smaller boards. Just because you can catch waves further and closer to the peak because of your bigger board doesn’t give you the right to catch all the waves. If you don’t take your turn, someone will tell you to!