Here are the Basic Rules To Surfing - read them and you should be safe in the surf (and so should everyone else). They are in no order of importance but all are relevant. Remember - surf safely and respect your fellow water babes / dudes!

Surfing Do's And Dont's

Alcohol: Surfing under the influence is not a good idea. Save the drinking for the after surf bragging session at your local, telling everyone just how many barrels you got earlier.

Be Aware: Be aware of other surfers and water users, of the surf conditions, and of where you are surfing.

Comfort Zone: You should surf in waves that you are comfortable in, don't get in over your head.

Fitness: Make sure you are physically fit when surfing. You need to be able to swim back to shore if you lose your board at the end of an exhausting session - no mean feat in a 3 metre swell.

Food: As with swimming, do not go surfing for at least 45 mins after a meal.

Fun: Surfing is all about having fun, keep it in mind when you are out in the waves.

Hold or Throw: Know when to hold onto your surfboard and when to get rid of it. If you are paddling out then keep hold of your board, you'll get out back to the line up more quickly and you will not put anyone paddling out behind you at risk. If you are about to wipe-out then get rid of your board. You are far more likely to sustain an injury if you and your board are getting washed around together.

Patrolled Beaches: If you are surfing on a patrolled beach make sure that you keep within the designated surfing are. Take note of where you should be surfing before you go out, and make sure you stick to it when you are out.

Priority: Always make sure that you are not taking anyone else's wave. Remember, the surfer who is closest to the breaking wave has priority. If you see someone already on a wave then the wave is taken and you'll have to wait for the next one.

Practice: If you want to improve then you need to be in the water surfing as regularly as possible. No-one got any better at anything by staying home and watching TV.

Respect: Respect the locals if you are visiting a beach. Remember that you are a guest and that waves should be shared.

Rips: If you are caught in a rip remember that it's called R.I.P. for a reason and you will probably not make it back to dry land ever again. Although hopefully you already know that a rip is a strong current that (normally) goes straight out to sea and if caught in one that you should not panic and paddle across the rip (not against it) until you have escaped.

Sun Block: Always wear a good waterproof sunblock. You'll know about it if you have been out for a few hours surfing in the sun without it. Also if you are not wearing a Wetsuit it is a good idea to wear a UV proof rash vest for body protection.

Surf Buddy: Always surf with at least one other person. Not only will you have more fun if you are sharing your waves but you will always have someone to help you out if you need it.

Surf Conditions: Make sure that the surf is safe before you go in. If you are going surfing at a spot you are unfamiliar with it is a good idea to get some advice from a local. Check out the surf spot while warming up.

Warm-up: Always have a quick warm-up and stretch before entering the surf. This will reduce the risk of muscle injury or cramp whilst you are surfing. It also gives you time to check for any rips or where the best spot to catch waves is.

If you are planning to start surfing your first step should be to take a surfing lesson at an Irish Surfing Approved Surf Club, School or Adventure Centre. Here you will be introduced to the sport in a safe environment, you will be given all the information, advice and basic skills necessary to get started. Your progress will be much quicker, the experience more enjoyable and you will be more likely to reach your full potential as a surfer if you take this route into the sport. This may seem like common sense but as with all water sports you should only surf if you can swim and you should never surf alone. Learn to observe the ocean so you can identify rips, wind changes and other hazards. This will reduce the risk and will help you become a better surfer.

If you are unfamiliar with a break, check with local surfers. Ensure that the waves you are surfing are of a size and power suitable to your ability. Do not get too confident. Stick to beaches until you become an experienced surfer. A novice paddling out at a reef is not only a danger to themselves but to all the other surf users around them.

Make sure your equipment, especially your leash, is in good order. If you are a novice you may want to consider using a foam board for your own safety and the safety of others. Other safety equipment such as helmets and nose guards are available. It is much easier to spot a brightly coloured wetsuit or surfboard at sea in the event of you requiring rescuing. If you do find yourself in difficulty it is important to stay calm and always stay with your board. Your board will act as a flotation device. If you get caught in a rip do not try to paddle against it, this will only tire you out and get you nowhere. Paddle across the rip and you will quickly find yourself out of difficulty.

When you ‘wipe out’ do not come to the surface too soon, allow your board time to land and come to the surface with your hands over your head. When paddling out, always check behind you before abandoning your board.

Never ‘drop in’ on another surfer. ‘Dropping in’ is taking off on a wave in front of someone who has right of way. The surfer nearest the peak or breaking part of the wave has priority or right of way. When two surfers catch the same wave the surfer closest to the pocket or breaking part of the wave, has priority so the other surfer should pull off the wave. Be aware of other water users and always show respect for other surfers regardless of craft (kayaks, bodyboards, bodysurfers and all other surfers). Above all, keep a good attitude. Be friendly in the water. Apologize if you make a mistake.

You can open these Surf Info Reports directly or download them onto your computer for viewing at any time or printing out. Just click on the titles, right click on the title to download and save.

You can open these Surf Info Reports directly or download them onto your computer for viewing at any time or printing out. Just click on the titles, right click on the title to download and save.

Rules of Surfing (same as the article on this page but in pdf format).

Correct foot positioning

Buying a wetsuit

How to catch waves

The surfboard

Learn to stand up on your surfboard

Waxing your surfboard

General info on wetsuits