How to Catch More Waves in Crowded Lineups
Every surfer wants to catch more waves. But in a crowded lineup, it can feel like you’re invisible – paddling for scraps while the same few surfers get all the sets. The fix isn’t buying a bigger board or paddling harder. It’s learning how to read the ocean, position smarter, and forget the crowd.
Here’s how to change your wave count for good.
1. Observe Before You Paddle Out
Don’t just charge straight into the lineup. Spend five minutes on the beach watching:
- Where the waves are consistently breaking
- How fast they’re running
- Who’s actually catching waves, and where they’re sitting
Most of the crowd is out of position. Once you see that, you can paddle out with a plan instead of following the herd.
2. Forget the Crowd
Average surfers sit wide on the shoulder and paddle frantically for anything that moves. Ignore them. Your job is to sit where the wave is actually breaking – the peak. Most people there won’t be competition, because they’re not catching waves anyway.
3. Follow the Better Surfers
Notice who’s making it look easy. Where are they sitting? How are they moving with the conditions? Without snaking them, use them as markers. Positioning near skilled surfers teaches you where the best waves actually break.
4. Read the “Treasure Map”
After a wave breaks, look at the whitewash trail it leaves behind. This shows the path the wave took – the treasure map leading to the pocket.
- Straight whitewash = closeout, nothing to gain
- Angled trail = peeling wave, right or left depending on the angle
- Steep angle = slower breaking, more sections
Use this to adjust where you sit so the next set peaks on you, not 20 meters away.
5. Paddle Across, Not Just In
Most surfers paddle straight toward the beach. The real secret is paddling across the lineup to the peak. Ten strokes sideways can put you exactly where the next set breaks – and give you a free wave while the crowd watches.
6. Don’t Stress Paddle
You’ll never out-paddle a wave. Instead, use the wave’s lift. As it picks you up, glide with it, then add a few clean strokes to lock in. Relaxed paddling beats frantic splashing every time.
Related Reading:
→ Surf etiquette for beginners – how not to be that surfer — Respect the lineup and earn more waves
→ How to read waves better — Spot the power zones before anyone else
→ Expectation management in surfing — Avoid frustration when the lineup gets crowded
