Surfing is an age-old sport but for many, it's so much more than that. It's a culture, a way a life and, most importantly, a passion. It's also a sport that can teeter between free-spirited and fun, and dangerous if rules aren't kept. This is especially true for newcomers to the sport who might not realize all that's involved in hitting the waves.

Locals aren't afraid to speak up and step out when it comes to protecting their right to surf while protecting other surfers. Things can go wrong in an instant and if any unspoken rules are broken, it can mean serious outs.

The first step to avoiding breaking those rules is to know them - just because they're unspoken, doesn't mean they're not imperative to maintaining peace between sets.

20 Knowing Who Has The Right Of Way Is Crucial

You'd think this is a common-sense rule but it's often something many don't consider. Just because a surfer has a board and knows how to paddle, doesn't mean they can just drop in and steal a wave. Waiting your turn is courtesy, both in life and on the open water.

19 'Dropping In' Is Dangerous And Rude

People can become seriously injured when it comes to dropping in. The move is exactly how it sounds: One surfer will literally drop in on another in the middle of a wave, leading to potential disaster with neither of them having a place to go. It's not worth it... simply be patient.

18 'Snaking' Is The Same As Stealing A Wave

Just like you'd 'shark' a parking spot in a crowded lot, 'snaking' is when one surfer decides to catch a wave with another. This can lead to a paddle competition but also means that one person is trying to get the drop on the inside of the wave first - it's not cool and it's not safe.

17 There's A Place And A Time To Paddle Out

Know your wave sets! Inexperience can be a great teacher but it can also lead to great mistakes, especially when it comes to large waves. The ocean is unforgiving and can wreck a surfer in a matter of seconds if they don't know what they're doing. Don't get in anyone else's way, and know when to paddle and when to float.

16 Letting Go Of A Board Screams 'Rookie'

Never, ever let go of your board. Yes, it's normally tethered to your ankle, but it can also become loose. Not everyone has a board cable and if you're not hanging on, you run the risk of it popping up and injuring yourself or someone else. You also risk it falling victim to the wave sets, and no one wants a snapped board.

15 Sharing Doesn't Just Apply To Surfing

Share the waves, share the space, and share your knowledge. You can learn plenty from the locals at a surfing spot (as we all learned during Blue Crush), but only if you respect their turf first. Sharing is caring but in this case, it's a way of life.

14 Paddling Through A Wave Break Is A Big No-No

The unique thing about surfing is that from the backside of the wave, you're not likely to see what's going on in the front and vice versa. If a surfer paddles through a break, they risk another surfer unintentionally dropping in on them. It's always smarter to paddle around rather than through - stay away from the active swell.

13 Don't Just Sit In Silence: Communicate

It can be tough to hear over the breaking of waves but that's no excuse to avoid communication. One thing that surfers aren't is quiet, especially when it comes to communicating line order or warning one another. Speak up, and speak loud.

12 The Ocean Should Be Respected, For Surfers And Swimmers Alike

This is common sense, but don't let it become a lesson. The ocean is more powerful than we often realize and while waves are pure adrenaline, they also have crushing power far beyond anything else in the world. One wrong move or misjudgment, and ego could end up being the reason you're rolled into one.

11 Don't Drop Trash In Another's Surf, It's A Sure-Fire Ban

One thing surfers and beach-goers alike can't stand is when trash is left on the beach. The carry-in, carry-out rule applies heavily here. If you get caught littering, there's minimal chance you'll be allowed a space in the line. There's an even smaller chance you'll make any friends after doing it.

10 Always Check Gear, It Can Save Ourselves And Others

Gear check isn't just a once in a while thing, it's an everyday thing. All gear, from suits to boards and cables, should be checked for proper usability. Sometimes, the rush of getting out there and catching a wave can be overbearing - but don't let it be the reason for a mishap.

9 Don't Surf Outside Of Skill Level... Zones Are There For A Reason

This is a classic rookie mistake. A beginning surfer wouldn't choose Hawaii's pipe to train on, so why would you opt for huge waves for your first drop? It's better to master the small stuff before advancing to the large sets, and this is something any seasoned pro will explain.

8 Surfers Aren't Above Lifeguards

In fact, no one is above lifeguards. It's not unheard of for a surfer to need assistance because the fact is, you never really know what to expect when you're sitting out in the swells. The ocean is unpredictable and pride or arrogance shouldn't interfere with safety and common sense.

7 Getting Too Close To Another Surfer Isn't Friendly, It's Dangerous

Surfers might think they're doing a nice thing by dropping in and flipping a 'what's up' sign to a fellow surfer, but it's actually the opposite. This isn't the way to make friends and can be dangerous - surfers need space. It's easy to overwhelm someone this way so if you want to say hi, wait at the wave break.

6 Show Respect To The Beach Locals, They Were And Will Always Be First

In addition to the basic unwritten rules, local surfers might even have their own rules and methods for catching waves. Don't forget that these are skilled individuals who have likely been surfing this spot for years, if not longer. You can likely learn something, but if nothing else, at least respect them.

5 There's Usually A Line, So Wait Like Everyone Else

Jumping in front of the line is something that will definitely get you boo'ed off the beach. It's rude and unacceptable for a surfer to cut in line, knowing others have been waiting for the same set. Surfing takes skill but it also takes patience, so wait your turn.

4 Early Bird Gets The Worm... Or The Wave

It's pretty common knowledge that many surfers wake up at the crack of dawn and there's a reason for that. Before beach-goers hit the sand, surfers are usually waiting in line for the perfect set. This is the best time to catch one that's uncrowded with spacious openings.

3 Take Responsibility, If A Mistake Is Made, Apologize

Own it! Mistakes happen and they're not always intentional. Sometimes, dropping in on someone can be a matter of just not seeing them. While it's not an ideal thing to happen, you just need to do one thing: Apologize. It's not the end of the world if you own it and move on.

2 Be Aware Of The Ocean Conditions

Ocean conditions can change in an instant. Just because waves look steady doesn't mean there's not an intense riptide beneath them and you could be surfing right into it. It only takes a matter of minutes for waves to double in size and checking storm conditions is a great way to avoid this.

1 Help Another Surfer If Needed, It Could Be Us Someday

The rule is simple: Lend a hand where a hand is needed. Be generous and aware of your surroundings because many times, beginners are lined up in between pros. Help goes both ways and just like surfing is a way of life, so is helping your fellow hoaloha.