The sport of surfing is facing an epidemic which will have dire consequences for all surfers if this problem is not resolved. The problem: Over crowding and lack of proper etiquette. Surfing's popularity has increased exponentially ever since the debut of the surf movie "Blue Crush”. "Blue Crushers” (wannabe surfers who crowd the lineup like buoys with absolutely no clue about proper surfing etiquette) have become a daily occurrence and nuisance at surf spots here on Oahu.

Today, I see more and more clueless surfers dropping in on each other increasing the danger of surfing and creating havoc for the "regulars” that have been surfing a particular spot for decades. These so-called "Blue Crushers” think that surfing a wave is meant to be a 10 person party (on the contrary, there is only enough room on a wave for one person). I have been getting dropped in on by wannabe surfers more so this summer than any other year I can recall and the problem does not look like it will go away anytime soon.

While I don't have a problem with new faces taking up our beloved water sport, the "Blue Crushers” lack of proper and respectful etiquette has provided numerous dangers situations/injuries and extremely aggravating and frustrating surf sessions. I've have seen my fair share of collisions and mishaps which could have been prevented had these surfers respected the rules of surfing and shown respect to each other. I have listed three major rules below to help educate beginners.

THE 4 MAJOR RULES OF SURFING

1) Look before you drop in on a wave

Contrary to popular belief, there is only enough room for one person on the wave. How do you expect a surfer to hit the lip, boost an air, or get tubed if you're blocking his way? So before you decide to drop in on a wave, look to the left (if the wave is breaking left to right) and see if anyone is "deeper” (closer to the curl than you). Conversely, if you're going left (wave breaking from right to left), you need to look towards your right to see if there is someone taking off deeper than you. If someone is deeper, he or she has the right of way so back off the wave and show them respect. Instead of paddling for the wave with your blinders on, you need to be looking at your surroundings to see whether you are in position (have the right of way) to catch a wave.

2) DON'T DROP IN

The most perfect wave is coming your way and you can just see yourself getting the barrel of your life but there's someone sitting deeper than you getting ready to make the drop. What do you do? DO NOT DROP IN. He/she has been waiting patiently for that wave and has positioned themselves for that opportunity. They have the right away and you don't so just let them go and wait for your next wave.

3) Don't go out in conditions above your ability

I see this all the time at one of Oahu's most fun waves, Diamond Head Cliffs. This wave can put on a great show with the right conditions but unfortunately, beginners will often clog the lineups and drop in on the biggest waves and go straight. I constantly see them dropping in on head high/overhead waves prone (lying on your stomach like a boogie board) and then 5 minutes later while in the foam, they're finally able to stand up. If you can't stand up before the wave breaks, you should be surfing the whitewash on the inside where all the beginners belong. Dropping in on a wave prone is the equivalent to a runaway train. You have no control and you'll run over anyone in your path. This can be a potential disaster. Just imagine a 30 lb long board with 9 inch skeg coming right at you. Not very appealing is it?

4) Learn to share waves

So you've just caught a great ride and while paddling back out you see an even better wave coming. Don't even think about it. Let someone else catch that wave and chill out for a bit. One of the worst things you can do is hog waves at a certain spot. That's a sure fire way to be disliked and if you keep doing it you'll find the regulars doing everything they can to keep you from scoring a wave. If you show some respect and share a few waves, you'll be surprised when one of the regulars returns the favor.

One last word: don't be selfish. If you're not in position to catch the wave, don't bother. Wait your turn and put yourself in better position for the next one. Surfing is all about fun but like anything else, you need to respect the other surfers in the water. It's all about good karma. When you share and respect your fellow surfers, you'll be amazed to see that it comes right back to you in the form of waves and stoke.

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