Lineup

The lineup is where the action happens in surfing. It's the zone just outside the breaking waves where surfers sit on their boards, watching the horizon for incoming sets. Getting to the lineup requires paddling out through the breaking waves — a challenge in itself on big days.

Once in the lineup, surfers take turns catching waves based on priority rules (the surfer closest to the peak has right of way). At crowded breaks, the lineup can feel competitive, with dozens of surfers jockeying for position. At uncrowded spots, the lineup is a peaceful place to sit, watch the ocean, and wait for your wave.

Your position in the lineup relative to the peak determines which waves you can catch — too far inside and you'll get caught by breaking waves, too far outside and waves will pass under you.