etiquette in a rapidly evolving playing field
B Y P E T E R V I E L E
37
OF ENGAGEMENT
When riders of alternative surf craft tangentially cross a surfer’s lineup positioning with their augmented
speed, it disrupts the faint vestige of order and fairness.
Surf City Surf Shop Manager, Dalton Gilley believes etiquetteshould fall on the personal responsibility of
the riders of those alternative crafts. “The individual should be observant and not get started in a crowded
spot. We as surfers have a mutual respect that has always been applied. When you’re first learning you need
to give yourself some space to figure it out and have the most fun. Whenever I go on a surf trip, I visit the
local shops to get a better idea of where to paddle out and when, because I want to make sure I’m not doing
anything wrong, or endangering somebody by accident. Visitors should definitely ask the locals questions
and stop in the surf shops to get a better idea of where to start. I’d say, if you’re trying foiling or kiting, to go
to the very north or south end, wherever there aren’t a lot of people because those vessels can get dangerous
really quickly.”
WBM FILE PHOTO
Surfing is always
prohibited within
350 feet of Johnnie
Mercer’s and Crystal
piers. Surfers must
also stay out of posted
‘No Surfing’ areas
around lifeguard
stands during busy
summer months.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM