Do I need boots to surf at Cowells Beach, Santa Cruz?

Question

Hey y'all,

I'm heading out to my first surfing in NorCal this weekend, and since I'm a longboarder, I hear Cowells is a pretty decent place to start out. I bought a new wetsuit (my old one is too thin for up here) but I completely forgot about boots. Do I need them up here, or do I need them for Cowells at least?

Thanks!

Answer 1

no you dont

Answer 2

Enjoy the slow cruisey long board waves at cowells. The eastside (38th street) is well worth a look also and sc surfer was bang on with 3mm booties but if you are looking to buy try Hotline. Have fun.

Answer 3

That depends if you want them or not, if you do, I would go to a dive shop a get some dive booties. They have the rubber grip sole on them and are great in water.

Answer 4

hey i'm from santa cruz too! cowell's is a great place to go if you're going to longboard. usually it's mostly beginner and intermediate surfers there so competition for waves is a little less than at steamer lane, for example.

you will definitely need boots. 3 mm ones should work fine. o'neill makes quality stuff. if you don't want to buy boots, ask santa cruz surf school (they're right down from the wharf on pacific ave. about a block or so) because they will probably rent you some for like $5 or so.

good luck, have fun, and maybe i'll see you in the water!