.Surfing. dangerous sport .Surfboards. dangerous weapons
Surfing rules and etiquettes - it is super important to be comfortable and to feel secure in the Sea. Especially as a beginner, it’s essential to know the rules and follow them as best as you can.
Yeah ;) we may joke about the danger in surfing, but it is somehow a dangerous sport! For sure if you hit the waves without any knowledge of the Sea, the rules and the relevant etiquettes!!
Why should you know these do’s and don’ts of surfing?
When surfers don’t observe the Sea before paddling out or don’t know anything about the Ocean or follow the surf-rules: accidents, injuries and misunderstandings can happen.
What should every surfer need to know before you buying a board and wetsuit?
Surfsisters Iris & Tess The ocean is part of Mother Nature, humans have almost no influence on how she behaves. The waves and the current are all determined by nature, so te remain safe, you must take this into account everytime you’re paddling out. Different surf spots usually have their own 'regulations'. If you are not sure about this, please ask. Surf instructors, surfers or even locals on the beach at a particular surf spot usually know them very well, and by and large everyone will be more than likely to help you avoid potential danger. Therefore, always ask or research beforehand how the current works and how high the waves are. Don’t forget to indicate your surfing level and take directions from others seriously - the North Sea is not a toy to mess with.
SMILE, everything is better with a smile. Moreover, respect all human beings and the ‘spot’ you are visiting. I think this is a good way to live, not just for surfing. After smiles and respect, do your own research about the Sea.
Here I have taken the liberty to summarize a few things I’ve learned about the North Sea;
Our beautiful Belgian coastline… 65 km of sandy beaches with harbors, breakwaters & piers.
In the Summer, you can hit the water in every ‘insteekzone’ for ‘brandingsporten’. Everywhere else there are swimming areas and it's not allowed to go surfing. Lifeguards will honk and chase you out of the water from 10:00-17:00.
In the winter though, you can surf everywhere, but at your own risk.
Certain places are more sheltered with some kind of conditions. I’m not going to reveal everything here because surfing is all about the search. Even along the Belgian coastline;) It’s never too late to explore empty line-ups and if you visit them, leave nothing but your footprints.
Dangers of surfing
Physical exercise
Surfing is a physical activity, so you need to be in good shape to master this sport and be able to avoid possible dangers. When you're in shape, it's a lot easier and safer to (learn to) surf. During your surf you will need almost all your muscle groups. For example, you often have to walk to the surf spot with a surfboard under your arm, which is often a sporting activity in itself. Once in the water, the paddling begins through the surf to reach the waves; this is often the toughest element of surfing. Once in the line-up, you'll have to paddle one more time to catch the wave. Finally, of course you have to pop-up and stand on your board, which also involves a lot of your leg and back muscles. Then the cycle starts all over again.
Make sure you are in a decent shape, this will make it a lot easier for you to achieve all of the above, and especially a lot safer. If something suddenly happens while surfing, it is important that you can get yourself to safety by coming back ashore. If you don't have the muscle power for this, it will be a lot more difficult to get out of the sea.
So while you are not surfing, train and regularly incorporate movements for your whole body! Swim, run and do body-workouts. Make it safer for yourself.
The cold water
The water can be cold. Always make sure you have the right equipment. In many cases, a wetsuit + any accessories. This ensures that you will not suffer from hypothermic. In addition, keep moving throughout your surf, so that you stay warm. Certainly do not let your muscles get stiff. If you suddenly have to swim a long way back to shore, you will reap the benefits if your body is fit and at the right temperature :)
Wetsuit & accessories
November - March: 5/4 wetsuit (cap, booties & gloves during cold winter months
April - November: 4/3 wetsuit (3/2 in the hot summer days)
Rip currents (rips)
The way the ocean works is sometimes unpredictable and can be challenging. A well-known phenomenon is a rip (current) and it is very important to know how to deal with it. It often happens that at a particular surf spot, different parts of the ocean produce waves that come towards the beach. Where water goes towards the beach, there will also water that flows off the beach, back into the sea. Often these are lanes of water that you can hardly or not at all recognize with the eye. If you get into a rip, it means you will be 'sucked' back into the sea, which can be very dangerous. At such times there is so much current in the direction of the sea that it is often very difficult or even impossible to swim against it. It is therefore very important that you do not panic, even if you feel helpless against the current. Instead of swimming towards the beach, you should swim to the side, parallel to the beach. As soon as you reach a part of the sea where the current goes back to the beach, you can safely let yourself be carried back to the beach.
Addiction
Perhaps the greatest 'danger' of surfing is the risk of addiction;). Most people we speak to after his or her first surf (trip) is more than often seized by the surfing virus, and wants to keep doing it forever.
It is therefore also wise to prepare yourself mentally for the situation in which you will come back from your first surfholiday or meet-up with the sisters ;)
And lucky us... we can surf in Belgium!
Before you put your wettie on
Watch the Sea and identify the wind-direction. If it’s (going to) high tide or (going to) low tide, then you can predict where the current goes. Look for rocks, piers, wave breakers,…. Then you know where you can paddle out to surf.
It’s always a good idea to identify markers on the beach to orientate yourself, even before paddling out! That way, once you’re in the water, you’ll know if you’ve moved too far from where you canted to be.
Example: If the winddirection is North-East and the current is towards France will you paddle out or surf just next to the pier at Oosteroever Oostende? The answer is NO, do the latter- for sure if the wind is over 4 bft.
Wettie on? Warm-up!
Warming-up is a good idea for to pump some fresh blood through your whole system. New oxygen will help you focus and it makes your muscle ready for explosive moves!
White water surfer
Welcome to the world of surfing, you have managed something new in your life and probably you are pretty STOKED to surf every day! As a beginner, you are lucky. Because you can surf with almost every condition, the only thing you need is beautiful foam, called white water.
It doesn’t have to be clean and perfect to get better in the beginning of your surfing life!
When not to paddle out as a North Sea surfer/beginner?
Surfsister: Emilie LegonWhen the wind too hard (over 4 bft.). When the waves are pretty big and when you don’t feel it (always listen to your gut feeling).
The only thing you need is foam! Here you can practice more and more of your pop-up, your balance and most of all you’ll get to know the Sea better.
Supportive waves & nourishing elements
Some places are better for beginners, like an empty line-up. The last thing you need as a beginner is a crowded spot. Here you can interrupt other surfers easily. There is nothing more frustrating than being in the way of ‘better surfers’ & feeling guilty about it. Go to a place where you feel the freedom to move around and you can enjoy fully your surf session! Minus the inner discussions about being in the way. But never go by yourself! Use the WhatsApp groups to find your North Sea Surf Sister;)
Paddle out wide
Surfers ride waves from the peak to the left or right. So paddle as wide as possible. You have to know that when you aren’t paddling wide enough, you can let the wave break faster than it should be. Intermediate and advanced surfers ride unbroken waves, waves that are open and clean. When you break the wave too fast… some surfers may get angry. If paddling wide is not possible, go to the white water/ where the wave are already broken.
Never loosen your board or ditch your board
Surfboards are dangerous weapons, not only for yourself but also for others. If you just started with surfing or if it’s crowded always wear a leash and avoid ditching your board. We all need the time to learn how to duck dive or do the turtle roll, so if you go into the water, first check out where the channel is (the places where no waves are breaking). So you can paddle out easily. If there is no channel and you are paddling out, never loosen your board. If you are riding a wave and you have to do a manouvre because someone is in your line, don’t jump too hard from your board. With jumping, you push your board away and most of the time it goes to the direction of that person in your line. Simply bend your knees and take your board with both hands.
Respectful gesture:
Letting the first two sets pass by when you enter the lineup, especially when it’s your first time paddling out on that spot.
Don’t get in the way
If you see a surfer enjoying her or his surfing line, make sure you move away from that line. Paddle wide or go to the broken part of the wave. Show you are trying if you expect it to be too late. Otherwise make eye-contact and stay still, the surfer will know you tried your best or you saw it to late. Say sorry if it’s necessary :)
Priority
The surfer who is paddling closest to the peak (white water) always gets priority (except if that person is snaking, more about that later). If you are paddling for a wave, always look to the peak if there are other surfers near to the peak. If so, they have the priority. If not, PADDLE HARD AND POP-UP!
Don’t drop in
If someone is already surfing on a wave, don’t paddle for it. It’s theirs. Let them enjoy it. There will always be another wave for you.
In surfing, the general rule of thumb is one man/woman, one wave. In most cases, you can't have two surfers riding the same wave in the same direction.
When you disrespect the right-of-way rule, you're "burning" someone's wave and showing the utmost lack of respect.
You are actually ruining a wave for someone else like you, who also enjoys surfing.
Dropping in may result in severe injuries and damaged surfboards, so don't do to others what you wouldn't want to be done to yourself.
Relax, take a deep breath, and wait for your turn. There will always be another wave.
Partywave
If you are surfing with friends and you can manage your board then you should try a party-wave! Just shout it out loud and maybe the say paddle with me!
Nothing more beautiful than 2 humans sharing a wave:).
Don’t snake
Snaking is the most disrespectful thing to do, it happens most of the time in crowded line-ups. Don’t paddle around other surfers to be closer to the peak. Let your ego melt away and wait for your turn. Always taking all the waves doesn’t make you the best surfer. Wait, breathe and enjoy nature…
