Surfing Waves

Hey hows it goin, Iv'e been surfing for maybe about 3 months now. Still trying to figure it out. Ive caught some green waves a few times but seem to be having some trouble surfing a sandy beach break in PB.

I was told tourmaline is the go to spot ( I have a longboard), I paddled out there once and noticed a ton of big rocks along the ocean floor. I returned back to shore and headed south, sandy beach bottom.

Ive been surfing in PB currently due to the fact that its a sandy bottom, and since im still learning, for wipeout purposes I didnt want to go to surf a rocky bottom.

Now the issue I seem to be faced with is, that beach break gets shallow, and those waves slam hard sometimes! Sometimes they seem to just come up and close out immediately. I see some shortboard guys doing good out there but I seem to be having trouble.

I was wondering if anyone can give me some info on tourmaline? I hear its a good beginner spot? The rocks is what deters me from there. Not sure how big of a concern it is. Or if the whole ocean floor out there is full of rocks, or just the beginning?

And if tourmaline is any different then the rest of PB.

If anyone also surfs PB and has info on surfing that beach break, that would be great too! Ive been getting slammed out there!

thanks!

hi andreservin,
Tourmaline is accommodating to all surfers. However, it is a rocky reef - throughout. The sea bottom is reef (e.g., coral, sharp rocks, stuff like that). It's usually a friendly place. Even though you may be afraid of a reefy bottom, I suggest you try one of the three waves there. Try Old Man's, which is the northern part. Old Man's is a long mushy wave that is good for a long board. The break is pretty consistent. There is almost always something to surf on and it breaks regardless of tide. But, you may want to avoid weekends because it gets really crowded then. It's relatively friendly.

If you have wheels, then go to the north end of San Diego County. Specifically, go to San Onofre State beach. Surf the southern of the 3 waves there. It's called Dog Paddle. There you will find big, fat, slow waves offering very long rides. Once you get passed the cobbles in the shallow water at shore, you'll have sandy bottom. This is a very beginner-friendly place.
billie

I've never surfed there, but I suggest that you start observing the tides at your break. If there's 5 feet of water between you and the bottom while the waves are 3 feet high, then the bottom shouldn't be much of a factor. If getting slammed on the bottom worries you, then go out when the tide accommodates your comfort level.

I learned to surf at the PB peir in 1970 wow i'm frecking old, anyway i still remember and i still surf, First check out the tides, that is important! low tide the bottom is closer than you think, never dive off your board, When the waves are bigger tourmaline has a channel to paddel around so you dont take em all on the head paddling out. Waves break in approx. 1.3 times the wave height, so a 5 ft wave normally breaks when the depth is about 5'x1.3=7.5'? im' guessing plenty of water not that shallow for rocks or sand. Just practice on sand in the soup dont need to try and catch your own wave yet, the soup is plenty strong to get you going, when you feel the flow and speed you know what to do Stand Up! and try to turn making sure your back foot is on the back part or over the fin area, this is what i see all the time beginners trying to turn and they get a Face Plant (i think its funny), the rails on your board are so long that you need to get it out of the water if you know what i mean, by getting weight on the tail you should be able to turn on a dime, once you get that feeling of making a turn then you might be ready to charge your own wave from the outside, Good Luck Ive been at it for now 46yrs and still young enough to try a bunny hop now and then! If you are worried about the rocks then you shouldn't even consider Hawaii Yet, thats were i live now...Damangohaus.com CHEEEEEWHOOOOO....