Where To Surf
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In the USA, ocean surfing is popular along certain Hawaiian beaches as
well as the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean coastlines of the North American
continent. In Hawaii, surfers enjoy the waves on the southern coasts
of Oahu and Kauai during the summer months, and experienced surfers visit
the north shore beaches of Oahu during the winter months. Along the
Atlantic Ocean coastline, the Outer Banks of North Carolina are a popular
surfing destination, while the Southern California coastline has long been
a year-round haven for surfers. Several cities and towns are noted
for their surfing beaches and lifestyle, including Huntington Beach and
Santa Cruz in California, Avon and Buxton in North Carolina, Surf City in
New Jersey, and even Tofino in British Columbia, Canada.
Outside North America, popular surfing destinations include the Canary
Islands, South Africa, and the east coast of Australia.
WannaSurf features
a surfing atlas, which describes surfing destinations around the world.
Choosing the right place to surf can mean the difference between a good
experience and a bad one. Of course you'll need a beach to surf, but
since there are many types of beaches, with all different patterns and
sizes of waves, you might need a little help figuring out what to look
for. As a general rule, beginning surfers should look for sandy
beaches that slope gently to the water, with waist-high waves that break
gently and roll evenly toward the shore.
Beaches with lots of rocks, as well as beaches where the waves break right on the beach, are not good choices. Remember when picking your beach that safety is paramount.
Once you think you've found a beach, take a good look at the waves before you paddle out. Waves come in many sizes, and they break in all sorts of patterns. Wind, tide, and swell conditions will all affect waves, but none more so than wind. Offshore wind, blowing toward the shore in the same direction as the waves, creates choppy, unpredictable waves. Onshore wind, blowing out from shore against the direction of the waves, creates smooth, graceful waves.
Beginners will want to try surfing in gently breaking waves, rather than
violently breaking ones. Look for small waves that wash softly
toward a beach which has a shallow slope dipping off below the surface of
the water. The bottom of the ocean should also slope off evenly away
from the beach. There should be no deep-water troughs, and you
should be able to easily walk out to knee or waist level.
Before you choose your beach, learn how to recognize longshore and rip currents. Beginning surfers should never surf in rip currents. Even advanced surfers should not surf near jetties or breakwaters! Remember, the key to an enjoyable surfing experience is a safe one.