Rules of surfing: waves, boards, safety and more

One of the most fascinating sports ever invented is surfing, which not only offers direct contact with nature but also requires a lot of effort and concentration. Being able to balance on a board in conditions that don’t depend on humans is quite a challenge, and there are important rules for this.

The rules of surfing are extremely necessary for athletes to keep themselves and their opponents safe, as the sea can be very unpredictable. By following these rules, surfers can concentrate on their efforts, making the competition fun, healthy and fair.

what are the rules of surfing — The rules of surfing ensure safety and good coexistence

You’re probably wondering what the rules of surfing are, right? It’s a good thing you’re in the right place, because it’s time to check out what these rules are and get a better understanding of the sport.

Check it out 👇

Surfing: how does the sport work?

Before learning more about the rules of surfing, you need to understand how the sport works. The main objective of a surfer is to stay upright on the board, of course, but also to master the waves and the adversities that the sea can cause.

But the decisive factor in a competition is to perfect the maneuvers, demonstrating confidence, skill and talent to the judges. Achieving these goals requires physical strength and endurance, as well as a lot of concentration and focus.

You also need to pay attention to those around you so that the practice is safe, which is essential.

So let’s take a look at the rules of surfing, shall we?

Surfing rules: understand what they are

The rules of surfing are general, but there are also technical ones that can depend on each championship. The common rules consist of the following topics:

Always wait your turn;
One wave for each person;
Watch your step;
Never let go of the board;
Take care of the beach.

Always wait your turn

The main point among the rules of surfing is that it’s crucial that there are no conflicts, be they in the form of arguments or physical contact. So, when you’re in the sea or about to enter it, always wait your turn to catch that wave.

This rule applies to a variety of situations and should be considered when a surfer is about to enter the water or even when they are already in it. Always check that it’s your turn to get in and don’t pass other surfers.

Remember that whoever arrives first has preference, and you must respect the order of arrival.

A wave for each person

You must also remember not to invade the wave of an athlete who is already on it, as this is one of the rules of surfing that will most guarantee safety and well-being in the sport. Also, don’t overtake a surfer!

If you don’t want to forget this important rule of surfing, just remember the phrase: one surfer, one wave. If you respect this rule, you’ll live better together in the sea and avoid collisions.

surfing olympic sport — Surfing is now an Olympic sport

Watch your step

Still on the subject of safety, paying attention to where you go is one of the most important rules of surfing to consider. Avoid catching waves in an area where there are one or more people, and when paddling also try not to stand next to anyone.

If that’s not possible, wait until your surroundings are clear and safe, or paddle in another direction. By following this rule, there’s no reason to have conflicts.

Never let go of the board

It’s essential that surfers never let go of their board while out at sea, and to prevent this from happening they need to use a strap. Serious accidents can be avoided by using this rope, which attaches the surfer’s ankle to the board.

Take care of the beach

Last but not least, one of the rules of surfing is to take care of the beach and the sea. By taking such care, athletes end up being part of the process of protecting the seas, preserving human and animal welfare.
Rules of surfing: championships

These are the main rules of surfing to consider when practicing the sport, but each competition has its own more technical rules.

They are:

Duration of the heat – In Brazil, the championships are quite strict and involve the duration of each heat, which can be between 15 and 20 minutes;

Number of waves – There is also a limit on the number of waves, which will depend on the technical committee of each championship;

Sea conditions – For the competition to take place, the minimum wave size is at least 30 centimeters. If the sea doesn’t meet this requirement, the competition must be postponed;

Scoring – The judges of each competition evaluate the athletes with scores from 0 to 10, taking into account the difficulty of the maneuver, versatility and punishments;

Priority – The issue of wave priority, as mentioned above, is very important in the rules of surfing, as it can result in punishments and a lower score.

Brazilian surfers and the Olympics

You can follow surfing in Brazil through a number of internationally known athletes. Among them are Ítalo Ferreira, Filipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina, as well as women surfers like Maya Gabeira, Silvana Lima, Marina Werneck, among others.

Surfing is now part of the Olympics, which brings more visibility and appreciation to the sport. At the Paris event in 2024, we should see a lot of exciting competitions and, of course, in accordance with the rules of surfing.

Athletes such as Filipe Toledo, João Chianca, Tati Weston-Webb and many other professionals are taking part in this year’s competition, and the venue will not be Paris, but Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia.

Finally, the rules of surfing are quite wide-ranging and will depend from championship to championship, but the main characteristic is to perform well without harming your competitors and to master your maneuvers.

In short, for a competition to be successful, you need to pay attention to the rules of surfing and have enough focus to beat your competitors. What do you think of the rules of the sport? Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your impressions!

Rules of surfing: waves, boards, safety and more