Taking off on a wave that another surfer is already riding — a violation of surfing etiquette and the most common cause of conflict in the water.
Dropping in is the cardinal sin of surfing. The rule is simple: the surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave (the peak) has priority. If someone is already riding a wave and you take off in front of them, you've dropped in.
This is dangerous because collisions can cause serious injury from boards and fins. It's also deeply disrespectful — you've effectively stolen someone else's wave. Beginners are the most common offenders, usually because they can't yet read the wave well enough to see that someone is already on it.
The best way to avoid dropping in: before you take off, always look toward the peak to check if someone is already riding. If they are, pull back. Drop-in etiquette applies at every surf spot worldwide.
Example usage
"Some kook dropped in on me on the wave of the day. I had to pull off the back to avoid a collision."
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