Community Guidelines

Last updated: February 2026

Effective Date: February 20, 2026  |  Last Updated: February 20, 2026

friend.surf exists to connect surfers and build genuine community. These Community Guidelines ("Guidelines") establish the standards of behavior expected of all users to ensure a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for everyone, from beginners catching their first whitewater to seasoned chargers tackling overhead barrels.

These Guidelines apply to all interactions on the Service, including public posts, crew chats, direct messages, profile content, comments, reviews, session logs, and any other user generated content. Violations may result in content removal, temporary suspension, or permanent termination of your account, at our sole discretion.

1. Core Principles

Our community is built on four foundational principles:

  • Respect: Treat every member of the community with dignity and respect, regardless of their skill level, background, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability. The lineup is for everyone.
  • Authenticity: Be genuine. Use your real identity, share honest reviews, and represent yourself and your abilities truthfully. Trust is the foundation of any surf community.
  • Safety: Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of yourself and others, both online and in the water. Never share information that could put someone at risk.
  • Stoke: Contribute positively to the community. Share your knowledge, encourage others, celebrate progression, and help create the kind of surf community you want to be part of.

2. Content Standards

2.1 What We Encourage

  • Sharing session reports, conditions updates, and spot knowledge that helps fellow surfers;
  • Posting photos and videos that capture the joy of surfing and community;
  • Offering constructive advice and tips to surfers of all levels;
  • Organizing crew sessions, beach cleanups, and community events;
  • Writing honest, helpful reviews of spots, equipment, and local services;
  • Welcoming new members to the community and to local lineups;
  • Celebrating the achievements and progression of fellow surfers.

2.2 What Is Not Permitted

  • Hate Speech: Content that attacks, demeans, or incites violence against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease;
  • Harassment and Bullying: Targeted harassment, intimidation, repeated unwanted contact, doxxing (sharing someone's private information without consent), threats of violence, or encouragement of self harm;
  • Sexual Content: Sexually explicit or pornographic content, non consensual intimate images, sexual solicitation, or content involving minors in any sexual context;
  • Violence: Graphic violence, gore, or content that glorifies or incites real world violence;
  • Dangerous Misinformation: Deliberately false information about surf conditions, hazards, or safety that could result in physical harm;
  • Localism and Gatekeeping: Threatening or intimidating behavior designed to exclude surfers from public surf spots, including verbal abuse, physical intimidation, or territorial aggression;
  • Spam and Manipulation: Repetitive promotional content, fake reviews, engagement manipulation, or any content designed to artificially boost visibility;
  • Impersonation: Pretending to be another person, brand, or organization;
  • Illegal Content: Content that promotes, facilitates, or depicts illegal activities, including drug use, theft, trespassing on private property, or violations of marine protected area regulations;
  • Privacy Violations: Sharing photos or videos of identifiable individuals without their consent, sharing someone's real name when they use a pseudonym, or sharing private messages publicly;
  • Intellectual Property Infringement: Posting content that infringes upon copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights of others.

3. Surf Spot Etiquette

Respect for fellow surfers in the water is fundamental to our community. While we cannot enforce rules in the ocean, we expect all members to uphold and promote these principles:

  • Right of Way: The surfer closest to the peak has priority. Do not drop in on someone who is already riding a wave;
  • Paddling Out: Paddle wide around the break to avoid interfering with surfers riding waves;
  • Sharing Waves: Be generous with waves, especially at crowded spots. Surfing is about community, not competition;
  • Respecting Locals: When visiting a new spot, observe the local customs, be friendly, and earn respect through good behavior in the water;
  • Environmental Responsibility: Leave the beach cleaner than you found it. Never litter, and consider participating in or organizing beach cleanups;
  • Safety Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings, know your limits, and look out for other surfers, especially beginners and children.

4. Crew and Group Standards

Crew organizers ("Crew Admins") are responsible for maintaining the standards of their groups in addition to these Guidelines. Crew Admins may set additional rules for their crews, provided those rules do not conflict with these Guidelines.

  • Crew names, descriptions, and content must comply with these Guidelines;
  • Crews must not be created for the purpose of targeting, harassing, or excluding specific individuals;
  • Crew Admins must actively moderate their groups and address violations promptly;
  • We reserve the right to remove Crew Admins or dissolve crews that consistently violate these Guidelines.

5. Reporting and Enforcement

5.1 How to Report

If you encounter content or behavior that violates these Guidelines, please report it immediately using one of the following methods:

  • Use the "Report" button available on all posts, profiles, messages, and crews within the Service;
  • Email us at safety@friend.surf with details of the violation, including screenshots where possible;
  • For urgent safety concerns, contact local emergency services first, then notify us.

All reports are reviewed by our moderation team. We take every report seriously and will respond within 48 hours. The identity of reporters is kept confidential.

5.2 Enforcement Actions

When we determine that a violation has occurred, we may take one or more of the following actions, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation:

  • Warning: A formal notice explaining the violation and expected corrective behavior;
  • Content Removal: Removal of the specific content that violates these Guidelines;
  • Feature Restriction: Temporary limitation of specific features, such as posting, messaging, or creating crews;
  • Temporary Suspension: Suspension of your account for a defined period (typically 7 to 30 days, depending on severity);
  • Permanent Ban: Permanent termination of your account and prohibition from creating new accounts. Reserved for severe violations, including threats of violence, child exploitation, and repeated offenses after prior warnings.

5.3 Appeals

If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error, you may appeal by emailing appeals@friend.surf within 14 days of the action. Your appeal will be reviewed by a different moderator than the one who made the original decision. We will respond to appeals within 14 business days. Decisions on appeals are final.

6. Safety Resources

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services immediately.

  • European Emergency Number: 112
  • Portugal Emergency (INEM): 112
  • Portuguese Maritime Authority (Capitania): 808 204 204
  • Suicide Prevention (SOS Voz Amiga, Portugal): 213 544 545

7. Updates to These Guidelines

We may update these Guidelines from time to time to address new behaviors, technologies, or community needs. We will notify the community of significant changes through the Service and, where appropriate, via email. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Guidelines.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Community Guidelines or need to report a safety concern, please contact us: