Question: When one surfer is paddling for a wave, how do you know who gets to ride it?
Answer: Who gets the wave? This question has been the catalyst behind many a local conflict at your home break and best-wave-reduction in competition. When two surfers paddle for a wave, the surfer closest to the peak (or whitewater) gets the wave...That's it. A shoulder hopper is the scum of the surfing world. Whoever is deepest in the pit should get the chance to go for the wave. There is some play if a surfer is farther outside in the lineup, but closeness to the peak is the most important point.
More Surfing / Bodyboarding Q&A