I just got a surfboard and i have never been where and when is a good time to go surfing in southern CA.?

Question

I just got a surfboard and i have never been where and when is a good time to go surfing in southern CA.?

Answer 1

In So Cal I'd recommend Huntington Beach.  It's less crowded than Newport and it's metered parking (or you can pay by the hour near the pier) so it's cheaper than Bolsa Chica.  You can also surf Laguna or San Clemente but that's on the southern end.  I'd recommend surfing the EARLY am as the conditions are almost always cleaner (less wind) and if you get on it early enough, you'll have much less crowded conditions for at least the first hour or so.  I'm talking about paddling out around 6am.

Just show proper etiquite.  If you are just learning, try and stay clear of the pier and jetties (if surfing Newport) - the talent tends to gather in those areas.  Good luck.

Answer 2

If you are just learning and are in the san diego area... La Jolla Shores and Torrey Pines are great places to learn how to surf. Torrey Pines has a wide stretch of beach and no where nearly as crowded as other spots. You definitely want to stay away from the crowds because, if you are beginning, you can get hurt or hurt somebody. The best time to go would be between high and low tide 1-3 ft tide.

Answer 3

older East Coast surfbum here, but waves are waves. First, go to a Bay, paddle the board. get in kinda deep water, but not out to far, and flip it over, fall off, get back on. And like all water activities allways go with someone else by your side.

After you have learned how the board behaves while paddling it, stuff like weight distribution and duck diving, and turning and when I fall off this is the best way to get back on. Then you will be better prepared to take it into some smallish waves.

Most surfing accidents, or the worst ones happen becuase of not knowing, so learn how your board behaves with you on it. Another very important thing is How do I fall?  Yes you are going to fall off alot, thats part of the fun! But you do not want to fall off head first, if it is unavoidable, then at least teach your body to curl up so you dont break your neck or your arm or your leg.

When you are in the water, you have NO idea how deep or shallow it is, might be an old Piling from a pier or a sailboat sank last night and the Mast is 6" underwater. I have seen it happen, once. So allways assume you have 6" of fall space, thus curl up and make yourself small.

Takes a few years to really learn, but thats the fun of it. Yes you are going to wipe out, and yes you are going to catch that one ride that you will never forget. There are many waves, and many rides, enjoy them and respect the water in all conditions.