As anyone who has ever joined a club or started playing a sport, there is a certain code of conduct that the participants must follow, even if it is unspoken. In football, for instance, there are the rules of the game and the code of conduct known as “fair play”. Though the latter may not always be enforced, it is certainly an obligation of the players to abide by it. The same principle holds true in surfing: though there are not any set rules to speak of, there is a certain code of conduct that most surfers follow, in order to ensure the maximum experience for all people involved.
For example, there is a rule known as “right of way” that governs who can or cannot take any given wave. The “right of way” principle has many different permutations throughout different disciplines, and surfing is one of those. The concept behind this little rule is a relatively simple one. Basically, whoever is the closest to the peak of the wave – the little crest at which the wave starts to foam – takes the wave. This is to ensure that none of the involved parties gets hurt. However, if the closest person indicates, two or more people may share the wave simultaneously. The obvious exception, of course, is if the wave is breaking inwards; in which case the people involved need to take great care.
Another important consideration is your board. Though this may sound like a rather obvious point, don't just dismiss it as such. Though your board is certainly something that you wouldn't want to replace, you need to realise that losing won't just affect you. If you lose your board while out on the waves, it can be extremely hazardous to the other people on the waves. Getting into a runaway board while on the waves can be a serious problem, so you shouldn't put people in that position.