Surfing Waves

is it better to surf in deep or shallow water??? if deep how deep???nd does it barrel in deep water? thnx,
-alex

Ha ha ha ha...you'd better stick to tennis dude because you don't have a clue about surfing.

there is a theoretical depth that waves will break in depending on their height. i think its 1.3 X the wave height. however this never holds true due to a number of factors including the bottom contour, wind conditions etc. for example in an offshore wind waves will break later than they "should" and therefore in shallower water. hollow waves tend to break in shallower water because something has to cause them to jack up and throw a lip. this is often an abrupt change in depth. a good example of this is the north shore reefs where the open ocean swells unload on the reefs in VERY shallow water.

in short if your a begginner, surf at beach breaks where the water will be plenty deep enough.

mrtenniskid74 wrote:is it better to surf in deep or shallow water??? if deep how deep???nd does it barrel in deep water? thnx,
-alex

wherever there is a wave is a good place to surf unless its ultra shallow reef or evil shorebreak then it doesnt matter - if theres a wave go surf it and enjoy the stoke

Shallow reef every time. Seeing the bottom just under your fins focusses the mind and stops you falling off. Only follow my advice if you can actually ride a hollow wave without falling off. Otherwise it will hurt.

boco rio wrote:Ha ha ha ha...you'd better stick to tennis dude because you don't have a clue about surfing.

someones forgotton they were once a learning too

Yeah maybe your right. I use to body surf when I was a kid, so I learned real fast.

boco rio wrote:Ha ha ha ha...you'd better stick to tennis dude because you don't have a clue about surfing.

lay off the guy, at one point you didnt have a clue either

boco rio wrote:Ha ha ha ha...you'd better stick to tennis dude because you don't have a clue about surfing.

Whats with the attiutde, sort it out?

Reef breaks aside the general rule is the bigger the wave the deeper the water it will be breaking in. Big wave breaks like mavericks or waimea do barrel and are in deep water, whwereas pipeline which can also be a big wave breaks over very shallow water.

KS

Go on get in there my son .

Beach breaks, and one with life guards and plenty off other people around, just in case you need help.
You might not get any help if you drop in on da locals.
Stick to the wash

thank you everyone:) that helped a lottttttt