Summer is on its way and the usual influx of weird and wonderful wave craft fill the line up, all for one reason. Waves. Take Croyde in North Devon and Polzeath in Cornwall, 300-400 spongers (bodyboards), resins (surfers), goat boaters (wave ski/canoes) and the odd body surfer fight it out for one wave out of a three wave set, that appears every 20 mins – what a nightmare!
The stress-o-meter is red lining – why? Becuase everytime you paddle for a wave you’re burnt by some kook (someone with no respect or skill) dropping in. So here’s some important information for those who don’t know or are just plain ignorant – you know who you are!
THE DROP IN RULE (fig.1)
So what’s it all about, why can’t you just catch any wave you want? Like driving a car, flying a plane or sailing the seven seas there are rules. They exist not only so matey boy on his mini-mal can get nice long rides with a few reos for good measure, but primarally for SAFETY.
When you take off in front of Johnny Boy Bloggs on his needle sharp thruster with skegs like meat cleavers you run a high risk of getting minced.
Dropping in on a fellow bodyboarder is also a NO-GO! Guys who have been bodyboarding for years have gained respect by pushing the limits and abiding by the rules. Dog eat dog attitude is detrimental to our sport and burning others will only give you and bodyboarding a bad name.
The drop in rule goes like this: CLOSEST TO THE CURL OF THE WAVE HAS RIGHT OF WAY. Someimes you may find that although you have right of way someone may already be up and riding further out on the shoulder (long boarders usually being the culprit here). In this case it is oftern better to let them go unless they have seen you set up for the wave and in which case a short, sharp shout is in order. How ever if they are up and riding and dropping into the pocket and you take off behind them this constitutes “snaking”.
PADDLING OUT
In a desperate attempt to get through the masses of white water it is important to be aware of other riders who may be coming towards you on a wave. Try your hardest to get out of the way either by paddling quickly over the shoulder thus giving the rider clearance or if you think that will result in a collision then head for the broken water behind the ride. It’s better to be trashed by a wave than board or fists! There is nothing worse than having someone floundering around just when you are about to do the move of the session, especially if you are Maurice Cole, Johnny Boy or some psycho!
SNAKING (fig.2.1 & 2.2)
In every line up you will find somebody who isn’t content to sit and wait their turn for waves, instead they will slither past, around or even on top of you to get priority. Taking off behind someone or angling your take off to get behind another rider is a slippery way of getting waves and it’s not that big or clever. Snakes hate to get bitten.
So there you have it, simple rules for what most of us is a way of life. Remember if you do drop in accidently (and it happens to everyone now and then) apologise and be friendly, it kills any vibe that may have developed. Be cool not a fool.
The article ‘Etiquette – Fun without Frition’ is courtesy Andy Lake & Dave Heard from:
WWW.BODYBOARDHQ.CO.UK
Lyonnesse Surf 