Surfing Waves

when can you graduate to surfing points and reefs? what should u be able to do at beaches

my thiughts are just getting down the line easy and make drops well but this is for points never had ago on a reef yet

obvoisly i can see that it will differ from points to reefs as well as from reef to reef or point to point

i think once you can handle a beach break with plenty of power and speed and can make the drop 9 times out of ten and get down the line you can graduate to a reef and point

Reefs and points are pretty much the same. You more or less know where the wave will be breaking, and will be way more consistent. Only sneak sets to deal with.

Unless its a sketchy reef/point/takeoff and as long as you can make the drop, drive down the line, keep hold of your board and feel comfotable in the size why not give it a go.

Just be aware that as most reefs and points are so consistent that if you f00k up you may well be in the way of the surfer behind you on the next set wave and headed straight for you, can you handle that situation.

Ummm, I'm not the best of surfers, but I'll be trying a reef break next week. I'm going to take it easy and be careful about the conditions I go out it (i.e managable size and clean) I'll let you know how I got on when I get back.

Shallow reefs are fun, there's nothing that focuses your mind on not falling off like watching rocks shooting by just below your board, and if you do fall off, it's usually OK, just land flat.

I bailed feet first once, and got my foot stuck in a hole, ended up standing in knee deep water, watching a set about to unload on my head, but thankfully nothing got broken.

Points are great fun too. There's a real good point near where I live, gets compared to Rincon without the crowds. It just horseshoes around a bay, and when you get locked in, the wave just goes and goes. It's really shallow and rocky on the inside, so getting in and out is challenging, but as long as you don't go straight, it's fine.

The reef i surf most is a flat slate one a bit rippy and on the inner reef pretty shallow, waist high.

Tip if caught inside, and loads fof weed around, grab on to the weed as an anchor.

I had to learn on reef breaks because there is only a few beach breaks where i live, and they are generally crowded with groms.. I only just started exploring some beach breaks to see how it is. Short rides but can do some stuff you normally wouldnt on reef breaks, like pull into closeouts and make really late drops etc, as you don't have to worry about hitting the reef.

On the flat days it helps to go snorkeling over the reefbreak to get to know where the shallow sections are. Make sure you can swim in if your leash breaks, and use the channel to your advantage.Keep those cuts clean aswell! you're bound to get a few on your feet sometime.. i dunno about where you live but over here the reef is LIVE and can get infected easy if not taken care of.

i were i live were talkin about rock reefs globel warming isnt that far advanced.
i surf the north east coast of england near tyne mouth

I learnt on a point break...they are easier than beach breaks to predict...although can have heavy rips...also as said they are consitant and u run rick of getting ploughed.... I have never had problems on reefs...just dont dive in head or ass first!

I learnt on a gnarly reef coz thats all there is here. several times I've had comments from other surfers stopping by on their travels like, 'wow you learnt HERE!?', and 'learn here and you'll be able to surf anywhere'
wicked, I love it, and all the wipe outs and injuries that go with it. ouch.

reefs are always fun if you are an average surfer, some say they're only for 'experienced' although this is true at some breaks, aslong as you're aware of the dangers go for it, i did and i've not had more than a couple of scratches, and i normally get hurt more on beach breaks because i dont feel worried about falling badly and end up eating sand

so i think im gona try surfing more mellow reefs or points on smaller less powerfull days can anyone recomend any where in the ne of england

how far up the north east you live? there are a couple of reefs near me but not great as a first reef spot, although i'd be able to reccomedn one for youi if its as far up as me, although only new up here so need more info my self

yep its your area i usualy surf in cos thats where my nan lives

when you lost all fear of dieing

SDgrom wrote:when you lost all fear of dieing

lol, well there are a couple by me, not so beginer friendly as the wave breaks really close in near the rocks over shallow sharp rocks, but i think either way, up or down from me there are a couple of good reefs, just make sure you try it out on a smaller day as it shouldn't be so heavy.

i'd recommend buying the 'surfing britain' surf guide as this will give you plenty of reefs and tell you how 'friendly' they really are (although its not always true) and it gives directions to the breaks. this is how i got to know places up in the north east

at the reef in Tobago I surf at when I'm home, one of the guys teaches beginners right there! It just depends on the condition at any time. I've also surfed at a soft reef where if you hit the bottom, the worse that happens is you get a stain on your boardies. (and I don't mean the brown stain of fear)

lol i wish the reefs i surf are like that, although i rarely hit the bottom, when i do it wrecks. also if you're surfing a shallow reef you can't always duckdive properly because you'll hit the bottom so be aware of that as well. i think its better to surf flat reefs rather than sharp rocky reefs (usually) because even though it still hurts its not as likely to rip your suit or cut you as bad