How to Crowd Surf. Crowd surfing is the process in which a person is passed overhead from person to person (often during a concert), transferring the person from one part of the venue to another. The “crowd surfer” is passed above everyone’s heads, with everyone’s hands supporting the person’s weight. At most concerts and festivals the crowd surfer will be passed towards a barrier in front of the stage by the crowd, where they will be pulled off and put on their feet by the security stewards. Then, they will be sent back to the side or rear of the crowd at the end of the barrier or they may be ejected from the venue (depending on the policy enforced). Other venues may allow the crowd surfer to go onto the stage with the artist for a brief period of time before stage diving or being escorted off the stage.
Crowd surfing generally occurs only towards the front of an audience where the crowd is dense enough to support a person’s body. It is most popular at metal, punk, rock, rave and indie concerts.
In order to get above everyone’s heads, a person can be given a boost, in which one person picks up another to launch them over the people’s heads, or they can stage dive.
This has been known to happen to unwilling participants who have been boosted up by others by surprise, in which case, those participants may also be ejected.
Parts:
- Getting in the Air
- Surfing Safely
- Ending Your Ride
- Dressing Appropriately
Other Sections:
Questions & Answers Video References Article Summary Co-authored by wikiHow Staff Last Updated: June 9, 2024
If you have been to or watched a rock concert, you’ve probably seen some crowd surfing, where someone (either performer or audience member) is carried over the crowd by the hands of the audience. But how do you do it? Getting up in the air safely is important. Positioning your body to make it easy for the people under you to pass you along can guarantee you a smooth ride. Knowing how to get down safely is also important—you don’t want to end your ride with an injury.
Part 1: Getting in the Air
1. Be Willing
If you’re unsure if you really want to be hoisted into the air, don’t try to crowd surf. You have to feel comfortable with what you’re doing and where you’re going, and if you aren’t or don’t, you won’t enjoy the experience.
2. Secure Your Stuff
The last thing you want is to lose your wallet or cell phone while you’re crowdsurfing. Ask a friend you trust to hold your stuff for you while you surf. You can also keep it in a small, airtight bag that you can hold while you’re in the air.
3. Ask a Friend for a Boost
It’s best to sit on their shoulders (or the shoulders of two people). When other fans see you in the air, they’ll know what you’re trying to do, and you’ll be able to tell if they’re ready for you. Don’t just have a friend cup your foot and throw you into the crowd—other fans might not catch you and you can get seriously injured, or seriously injure someone else.
4. Avoid Stage Diving
Stage diving is very dangerous—you have to make eye contact with people in the crowd, read their body language to ensure they’ll catch you, and get off the stage before you interrupt the band. It’s also against some venues’ rules to stage dive, and you can get kicked out of the concert for trying it. It’s best to just avoid doing it.
Part 2: Surfing Safely
1. Time Your Ride
Fast-paced, high energy songs are your best bet, because the crowd’s energy will be high and they’ll be more likely to pass you along. Slower sets aren’t great. Choose your favorite song, and be ready to go!
2. Lay Back
Once it’s clear other people will hold you while you surf, lean back until you feel people’s hands underneath you. You’ll need to be flat on your back to surf.
3. Spread Your Body Out
As you lay back, spread your arms and legs out like you’re getting ready to make a snow angel. This gives the people under you more surface area to hold while they pass you along. Keep your back as stiff and flat as possible. A flat and stiff back makes it easier for people to move you and will also protect you from getting hurt.
4. Keep Your Body Still
If you thrash around too much, chances are you’ll get dropped. You can throw up an old-fashioned “rock and roll” sign, but don’t wave your arms or kick your legs too much.
5. Keep Your Feet Up with Your Toes Pointed at the Ceiling
Otherwise, you’ll kick people in the head. Don’t lift your legs too far, since this will prevent other fans from passing you along, but make sure your feet are pointed up and raised slightly.
6. Protect Your Head if You Fall
Sometimes it happens—you’re crowdsurfing and you get dropped. If you feel yourself start to fall, lift your head up or cover it with your arms to avoid smacking it on the ground. If you think you’re seriously hurt, ask security for help.
Part 3: Ending Your Ride
1. Bring Your Knees in Toward Your Chest to Dismount
If you’re ready for your ride to end, bring your legs in toward your chest. You should naturally fall to the ground, feet first.
2. Don’t Grab Anyone Else as You Come Down
You could pull them down with you and they and you can get hurt. Instead, make sure you’re prepared for the fall so you can catch yourself.
3. Choose a Place and Time to Rejoin Your Friends
You’ll go all over the venue surfing, and you don’t want to lose the group you came with. Pick a spot you can meet and a time, even if the time is as soon as you’re done surfing.
Part 4: Dressing Appropriately
1. Avoid Wearing Anything That Can Snag
This includes zippers, chains, or loose jewelry. They can snag in someone’s hair or on someone else’s jewelry and seriously hurt the other person.
2. Wear Soft Shoes
You don’t want to wear heels or big, heavy boots that can hit someone in the head and seriously injure them. Make sure the shoes fit correctly and aren’t loose—otherwise you might lose your shoes and have to spend the rest of the day barefoot!
3. Avoid Loose Clothing with Easy Access to Your Body
Tops that can easily come off, like bathing suit tops, or loose skirts or shorts, give people in the crowd easy access to your body, and you can’t guarantee everyone in the crowd is a good person. Instead, wear clothing that fits close to your body and doesn’t give people easy access.
