Surfing Waves

Hello,

I'm slowly getting everything together to begin my surfing adventures. I have tried it once before and loved it (although I only managed to kneel on the board.. Once). I have done some research for suit and board, which I now have. I am unclear still about the swell etc and when and what the best conditions are for the best waves?

Any advice would be greatly received.

There is no particular time for good swell or good waves, its dependent on weather systems and tides and so forth.

In general, however, the wind is lowest in the morning so that is usually the preferred time. Other than that, its all a lottery!

Jenny_eyre wrote:I am unclear still about the swell etc and when and what the best conditions are for the best waves?

First of all - where are you? Which bit of the world you're in can make a big difference to when the best waves turn up.

Yeah I agree with DBBB....perhaps you can post what beaches you intend to surf, i am sure there a few chaps on the forum that can advise you of what to expect at your local break etc.

Thank you all for your comments.
I went to 'Hells Mouth' in Abersoch, N.Wales. My dad used to have a boat so he used to have a tidel book to help with predictions. Is there an equalivent for surfing??

Nothing as old-fashioned as a book
Here's somewhere to start -
http://magicseaweed.com/Hells-Mouth-Surf-Report/27/

In very simple terms (forecasting is a big thing in surfing)...
You want there to be a swell (wave height) with a good period (10s+ for the UK, the gap between the waves), with the swell heading towards (or at an angle) the beach you're surfing at, with a light breeze preferably offshore (heading out to sea).
The waves in the UK will generally be a little larger as the tide comes in compared to as it goes out.

As a newbie, dont worry too much about the details yet - that'll do for now!

Something in plain english...

http://www.westcoastsurf.co.uk/surfreport.htm

(it's flat)