Why Go Surf Ski Racing?

Know how to make it outside (beyond the breaking waves into the green water).

Look for a channel, or a spot that the waves do not seem to break in. These spots will have murkier and deeper water. You might be thinking, "Hey that sounds like a rip current, don't I want to stay away from those?" If they make you uncomfortable, yes by all means stay away from them. Do experienced surfers use the rips, and channels to get out into the line up? Yes, surfers do work with the ocean and do use rips, and channels to get out into the line up easier, and quicker. When you work with the ocean the rip can help you to get out beyond the breaking waves easier. It is still important that you remember your limits. Did you check the surf report? Do you know how big the swell is? Are you in good enough shape to handle the current conditions and swell size? All important factors to think about. With a longboard it can be difficult to make it outside if there is a lot of white water to battle, and without a channel or a rip to help you. You can paddle straight at the white water, and before it hits you slide off your board and turn your board over holding on to the rails, and pulling the board downward as the wave sweeps over you. You will need to turn your board back over quickly and start paddling before the next wave or white water hits you. With perseverance you can make it outside depending on how big of a day it is, and how much white water you have to deal with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called turning turtle. Short boarders can duck dive, but this is a beginners article, so we are not going there.

9. Know some of the unwritten rules of the line up.

1. The #1 unwritten rule in surfing is, the surfer closest to the curl has priority. If you are on the shoulder of the wave and someone else is deeper (closer to where the wave is starting to break), they have priority. Always look before you take off on the wave. Beginners are notorious for just paddling into anything, unaware that someone else may have the wave already. I try to stay away from beginners for this reason. I do not want to get in a collision with anyone while I am surfing. This is one rule you don't want to learn the hard way. It can lead to collisions, getting yelled at, or at the worst causing a fight. I think it's better to know the rules before any of this happens.

2. When you are paddling back out, it is your responsibility to stay out of the way of other surfers, who are up and riding waves. That may mean you have to paddle wide of the take off area, and then back into the take off position.You do not want be in anybody's way. If you do find yourself in a surfers way, who is riding a wave, pick a direction and continue to go that way. Changing directions at the last second makes it hard on the surfer, riding the wave, to steer around you!