Ok so I am going to a surf camp this summer in california then am spending a week just practicing. l heard some of the locals are really lame and call newer people ''kooks'' cuz there jsut soooo cool like that. (sike) So l was wondering will they treat me poorly? What should l do to not look obviously new? and what should l do to not piss people off?

well some people may be idiots aboat it but most people will respect new surfer because it is biulding the surfing world up that much more. but some tip to not look so blatently new,
1. ask your instuctor all your questions, apposed to asking the locals.
2. try to look calm and relaxed, DON'T talk fast. very slow.
3. try to learn some terms---- http://surfing-waves.com/surf_talk.htm

some locals get a bit mad because they feel like the tourists and new guys are taking up their surf spots but be respectful in a line up and go to: http://surfline.com/surfology/surfology_borl_index.cfm

for some surfing etiquette and tips

If you respect them then they wo not really bother you too much. yeah they will give you a little crap but its expected cuz you're new but take a look at this site for the really important rules in the water
http://surfrider.org.au/about/surfethics.php

Good Luck and Go Big!

Tips for beginners:
1. Do not try to take every wave. Just like at a 4-way stop sign, u will see that everybody takes a turn.
2. If someone is already on the wave (and coming toward you) do NOT take off in front of them (called snaking). You risk them hitting u & causing an injury or damaging a board. If u do it accidentally, u may hear them hoot, whistle or yell at you. If so, simply turn up into the wave & go over & go back to the line-up. Apologizing never hurts.
3. If u have to bail off ur board, LOOK TOWARD THE BEACH & make sure that there is nobody at least 15' from you. When u bail, ur leash is 6' & ur board is at least 6' too. That means u could hit somebody at least 12' way from you. With my 9' longboard & 12' leash, l had over 20' to worry about. Plus, the current will take u close to them very fast.
4. Think about surfing where there r few people around until u get better. Smaller waves usually means less people but they r also an excellent way to improve ur balance.
5. If u r walking or paddling up to the lineup & there is a surfer on a wave coming toward you, u have the most responsibility to move so that he does not hit you, so that u do not ruin his wave & so that he does not have to bail.
6. As u sit on the beach to stretch, look at the way the waves come in, where the groups r positioned & everything else. There may be a channel for u to paddle out through rather than wasting ur energy by hammering right through the waves.

There r many places to surf where the hassle factor is low & there r others where u do not want to be unless u r invited. Part of the excitement is the search & the trying each spot.

Definately. And l do not know about ur part of the world, but i'm from australia & while most people try to be understanding, u will get ur few that r quite rude. But it is something that comes with the sport.
And there is no real trick to not looking so new, fact is, if you're new, the older surfers will be able to spot it straight away.

try not to surf near them as much as u can because if u get in their way they can get pretty mad.

And enjoy yourself.

Things will be cool while u r at surf camp. It is sort of a sheltered environment. On u own, u have to work hard at NOT being a kook. Now, l know that some guys r knuckleheads, & they do not enjoy the fact that other people r learning to love surfing. However, l have been pissed off more than once by 'kooks' getting in my way. It is EXTREMELY important that u learn surf etiquette, so the experienced surfers in the water do not want to strangle u before u become any good!
Respect the rights of more experienced surfers, & u will earn their respect. Stay out of the way. Know ur limits. Be at home in the water, so u can handle yourself in the surf. Some guys r knuckleheads, but most surfers love to surf, & r glad to see others learn, the right way. l have been surfing 42 years, & it is the greatest stoke there is. Good luck!

dont wax ur entire board it will give away ur a kook

not to piss ppl of stay in the white water and learn and get use to standing up..there is nothin u can do when ur new at surfing ur just shyt and it shows but thats when u pick up ur own style :) and the ppl who treat u bad r lmao and they bring a bad name to us surfers.hope it helps