Is it better to surf during high tide or low tide?

Question

I just picked up a board today so Im new to this. i would think its better in high tide cuz the water comes farther up the beach.

Answer 1

every beach has its conditions. go out and figure out the best ones.

try surfing when you're high.

Answer 2

it really depends on the spot if it's shore break it tends to be better at low tide and horrible at super high tides in most spots.  point break tends to be better at high tide and not so much at low. of course how drastic of a tide it is will play a factor.  sometimes at super high tide or super low tide new spots will form you just half to find them.

Answer 3

every beach is different people have diff rent preferences

Answer 4

ive been surfing my whole life and i find like right in the middle of the tide perfect.

well it actually depends,

but you should try both and see which one you find the best

Answer 5

Okay my friend, it is painfully obvious that you know NOTHING about surfing, and are in need of guidance.

Surfing is an ocean sport. before you decide to surf, decide to know and understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men and women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty).

I spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and fishing. I even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible.

Surfing is an ocean sport, to do it right, you have to be at home in the ocean, with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes big waves. I don't just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. I have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave.

Lessons are usually the best way to start, unless you are an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook you up with lessons, and even rent you a board to learn on.

There are a dozen different factors that dictate how well the waves will break at a certain location. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_surfa...

The size of the swell, the period of the swell, wave length and amplitude, wind direction, wind speed, bottom features (steep slope, gradual slope, sandy, rocky, coarl reef....) and TIDE (how much water there is over thsoe bottiom features) all make a difference. There are thousand of 'high tide breaks', where the waves are best a high tide. However, some reef breaks or breaks over sandbars, are best at low tide (too much water means that the waves won't 'break').

http://people.cornellcollege.edu/t-fick/...

Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 55, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you learn to swim and master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer.  The pros there can give you the right answers!! Folks at a good local surf shop will know all about your local breaks, and be able to tell you whether or not they are best at high or low tides.

Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard-t...

http://www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm

Answer 6

Incoming tide.

Answer 7

i always think it is better right in the midle of the tide

Answer 8

Every beach is different

Check out my website for additional surfing information at http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 9

It all depends on the spot. A wave breaks on something, whether it be reef or a sandbar, and the rising or lowering tides may allow or prevent a wave from breaking. For example, if its high tide, the reef or sandbar may be too far below the surface to allow for a breaking wave. Conversely, in some places, during low tide the reef may stick up out of the water, also making it impossible to surf. So it depends on the spot you're surfing. Check out

http://www.surfline.com/travel/

to find out about certain surf spots, this website has a lot of info including the best tides and wind for many spots.

Also, some places are better on incoming tide, outgoing tide, or midtide. It really depends on the spot. With sandbars, because they can sometime shift, you need to find out for yourself through experience with that certain spot. But the website above can give you a lot of info about most surf spots.

Answer 10

yea what the guy above me said... you should really ask more experienced surfers or people at the shop... i personally have been liking the lowtide because at my break they seem to get a good little shape for it. but i like high tide too. not only will the waves seem bigger, when you wipeout you have better confidence to know that its probably harder to snap your neck. haha. but hey what do i know im still a kid, whos still learning eveytime i go out. so just get out there (but in you comfort zone) and have fun. cuz thats what it really all about