Paddling Out.

[SurfTrip.com]

This one seems to happen to me a lot. I'm surfing a peak at an uncrowded beach break and I see someone getting ready to paddle out right were I'm surfing. Then, they proceed to paddle out and sit inside of me.

Don't paddle out to a peak with one or two guys on it if you don't know them. Proceed to the next peak. If it's the only peak breaking then don't paddle out inside of the guy sitting there. Paddle to the shoulder and wait you turn!

Thanks.

[WavePark Mentawai]

Ahhh, beach breaks. Agreed.
For reef breaks like around our resort, where the wave breaks in the same place everytime, the proper etiquette is to join the lineup at the bottom of the pecking order and work your way up to the peak as people catch waves and end up behind you in the lineup. Eventually it will be your turn and you'll have priority to take whichever wave you want; WAIT FOR THE BEST ONE! Patience will pay off in more ways than you can imagine.