The gentleman surfer?

A long time ago, the French Surfing Federation laid down rules of priority and friendliness to prevent surfing accidents.

Among these rules, a surfer on a wave is at fault if he collides with a surfer in his path, unless the latter has cut him off by starting on the same wave.

Litigation before the courts has found in favor of the struck surfer only when the latter has stolen priority on the wave, thus creating a dangerous situation. In all other cases, the courts have ruled in the surfer’s favor.

In fact, a surfer on the open sea, with little mobility, is bound to find himself, at one time or another, in the path of a surfer on his wave. The latter must then be able to avoid him or interrupt his action.

Short water behavior questionnaire

Here’s a short questionnaire to help you classify your behavior in the water:

1. You think that just because you don’t say “hello” and pout on the way to the picnic, that makes you a bad ass.
2. When you catch a wave and run into someone pulling up the bar, injuring them or cutting up their board, you tell them it’s their fault.
3. When you tax someone, you’re surprised you’ve caused an accident.
4. You’re always getting in the way of surfers by climbing up in the wrong place or standing in front of the take-off zone.
5. You want to catch more waves than all the other surfers on the spot put together.
6. When you do something stupid or dangerous, your excuse is to pretend you’re a local.
7. You’ll be surfing in herds, overloading already crowded spots.
8. With your friends, you block the peak and prevent others from catching waves.
9. When you enter the water, you give the inside track to the surfers already waiting and steal the right of way.
10. You systematically climb back to the peak, in a position of constant priority, even though you’ve just caught a wave.
11. In competition mode, you’re constantly on the inside trying to get the upper hand.
12. You’re rowing on the best wave of the series and, at the last moment, you don’t go.
13. You’re being clever with beginners.
14. You often find yourself surfing in the bathing area.
15. You row frantically over anything that looks like a ripple.
16. When someone’s waiting for a wave, you come and stick it to them.
17. If there’s a single surfer in the vastness of the ocean, you’ll systematically join them.
18. You think that because you’re in a training session with a coach, you’re entitled to do anything.
19. You think that because you’re stronger than others, you have every right.
20. You constantly tax the right of way, but with a smile.
21. You tax, but only your friends.
22. You bombard bathers and surfers by pushing your child or friend into the waves.
23. At the end of the wave, you fall backwards and throw your board towards the others.

Results and interpretation

If you count between 01 and 06 positive responses, you’re a bit of a pushover, but perhaps you have the excuse of not yet knowing all the ins and outs.

Between 07 and 10, you fall squarely into the ball and chain category, the worst part being that you’ve probably already been surfing for a long time.

From 11 to 23, I leave it to the other users of the spot to choose the description that best suits you. A kind soul will at least describe you as dangerous.

Unless I’m mistaken, you don’t fit into any of these behaviors: congratulations. It’s possible to surf alongside you in a friendly, relaxed way. You’re a perfect gentleman!

Just like the rules of the road, knowing the rules of the road and being civilized are key to safe surfing. That’s why a surfing course should include the transmission of these rules, which are just as important as technique and knowledge of the ocean.