Tired of everyone calling surfers from PA? Here is how you can do your part to end that. These are some simple rules for not being labeled a PA Kook. These are the line-up rules that everyone who was raised surfing thinks of as common sense, but not everyone is clued in obviously. Most of this stuff can be picked up by watching everyone else, but it can be hard to do that when you are just trying to survive.

The number one way to not be a kook is to not go out if you can't paddle out. Simple rule. If the waves are huge and you don't feel like you can make it to the line-up don't even try. Chances are you need to work your way up on a smaller day, and if you get out you are just going to get yourself or someone else hurt. There is nothing that other surfers, especially locals, hate more than someone floundering around in the inside.

The next important thing to learn is where to catch the wave. Some people get the impression that the farther from your destination, far left on a right and far right on a left, are the people who have right of way or priority on a wave. This is wrong. In example A you see that the person closest to the peak has priority. So, if you are sitting right under the peak it is yours. If you do happen to drop in on someone the best thing to do is simply pull out over the shoulder.

The line up can be confusing to someone just starting, but example B shows you where you need to be. Basically the people below the line-up are inside. When you are inside you are either snaking waves or getting in the way. You want to sit with everyone else and wait your turn. Sometimes locals will sit inside on you and snake some waves. The best thing to do in that situation is just to let it happen. After you let people go on a couple they will usually let you have some of your own. Sitting above the line-up is called sitting outside. This practice is done by longboarders often and can really piss off a line-up. Just don't do it. If you are on a shortboard and you want to wait for a set wave that is fine, but if you are using the extra length to get more waves on a good day everyone is going to get ticked off. You also want to make sure you paddle around the line-up when getting into position. Everyone hates having to dodge other surfers when making you way down the line.

One of the most important rules when surfing any or old break is to go if you are going. If you start paddling for a good wave and you are close to being in position you better make it or die trying. If everyone sees that you are set up perfect for a wave and you don't get make it or get hammered trying there is no way you will have that chance again. If you can see that other people are letting you go because you are in the best spot in the line-up they are not going to be happy if they don't even see you get down the face of the wave.

The rest of it is simple. No spring suit with booties. No shorts over the wetsuit, No webbed gloves. These are not all the little rules, but they are the big ones. For the rest of it just pay attention and be friendly.