Now that you are in Noosa and you want to hit the surf, there are a few rules to take into consideration before you start. They will help make your surfing adventure FUN. First of all grab your board, leash, towel, sunscreen and make your way to the beach. If you are surfing at Noosa Main Beach, the points, Alex Bay or Sunshine Beach, then you will be entering the Noosa World Surfing Reserve.
These are the surfers that live here. Show some respect and they will respect you in return. Go and sit with them in the water, be polite. They will probably catch more waves than you because it’s their home break.
So dangerous if the surfer is to his or her feet: the rule is it’s their wave. Don’t try to take off or drop down the face of the wave alongside. This is deemed the worst manoeuvre in surfing, showing no respect to your fellow surfer. It is also one of the most dangerous things to do and can cause terrible injuries to both yourself and the others.
There are two main rules here:
1. Surfer on the inside, closest to the breaking wave has the right of way.
2. When a surfer is to his or her feet first, up and riding the wave, don’t turn on the inside to catch the wave. This is NOT cool and is called “Snaking”.
These two acts show a lack of respect. Paddling up the inside of a surfer who has been waiting in line for the next wave isn’t cool at all. Dont turn and catch a wave on the inside of a surfer already riding or paddling onto a wave. This will cause friction in the water and is certain to lead to an altercation.
When a larger set approaches and you are out of position, take on the white water instead of paddling wide hindering other surfers. Don’t throw your board, instead paddle through the white water using a “duck dive or turn turtle”. Never let your board go: try to hang onto it as you may “clean up” a fellow surfer. Most of all take turns and respect your fellow surfers, after all you are all out there to have FUN.
– Wear a legrope at all times; a loose board can become lethal
– Avoid surfing near swimmers and swimming near surfers
– Do not push learners on boards into the path of an oncoming surfer
– Jet ski operators should stay well wide of surfers; your wake ruins the waves
