Right of way

[mattwaverat]

Hey Jaipal,

I'm glad you're ok brother. And you have a great attitude about it. Most of us are just trying to get along with each other and have fun.

As far as wave priority, higgybaby has it right. First on the wave has priority no matter what their upwind/downwind position. Now, if you want to share waves and wave someone in because they seem to be in better position, that's a personal choice. However, any wave priority rule other than the above will lead to a breakdown of order in the lineup. As soon as "first on the wave" is no longer the rule, all manner of short jibing and subjective positional advantage will be encouraged. This does not work on any break, be it a point break or peaky beach break. If it's crowded, getting in line and catching your wave outside is the only method that keeps things orderly. Otherwise you get people slogging around waiting to catch waves that someone else is on or you get short jibing on an occupied wave just because the short jiber is under the impression that they are in better position.

These rules have been around forever in wavesailing, and they always worked well at Ho'okipa when I lived in Maui. They work for windsurfers and kiters on the mainland too.

Matt

[mattwaverat]

Oops, mean to post this in the Waddell collision thread.
M