transition from beach to reef break?

[ant]

Hi all, we are off to Maldives for a honeymoon in a few weeks. We are staying Hudhuranfushi formally Lohifushi.

I've been surfing in north devon for years but only manage to get down there a few times a year as its a fair old trip (i live i the midlands).

So has anyone got any advice for a fairly novice surfer going out on a reef break for the first time ? i believe that the lohi break is a lot more suited to beginners/novice surfers... so i'm just after some hints/tips or advice.

many thanks in advance.

ant

[isaluteyou]

dont fall head first

[surferdude_scarborough]

^^ good call

try to find one thats not horrifyingly shallow so you are less likely to hit the reef if you fall. also you want to make sure you are 100% comitted on the waves. as soon as you hesitate its all over. dont forget to wear booties even if its 100 degrees in the water.

[pkbum]

I will never surf reef. I m a little pussy that stays with the beach break

[ant]

Thanks for the replies so far

Are there any additional techniques that should be used for surfing a reef break rather than a beach break?

Anyone else on here surfed the Maldives? lohifushi?

[surferdude_scarborough]

if its shallow then throwing your board over the back of the wave when you wipe out so it doesnt get mullered on the reef is a technique you dont need on beaches. wouldnt reccomend it on a coral reef though coz it usually involves you getting mullered into the reef.

also always try to kick out before the wave closes out as reefs arent nice places to be riding white water

[SilverShark78]

Depending on the reef, depth, and wave it can be pretty scary. The drop in is a new experience. When I surfed reef I remember staring straight at the reef dropping in. There's no sand or silt to cloud up the water. That adds the element of fear, tricks your mind into thinking you're going straight into it. But besides that, a reef wave is awesome; breaks the same way every time. Very good feeling.

When you wipe out try to keep it shallow. In other words, don't go feet first and definitely don't go head first. Try to horizontally flatten out your body so you don't submerge yourself too much. You'll do it naturally. Your body doesn't want to be raked on that reef.

Enjoy it.

[ant]

cheers for the advice fellas ...... 5 weeks and counting, can't wait

[Rico]

ive been to the m. in 2006

south ari atoll, the waves on the outer reef were crazy enough to keep me windsurfing

[isaluteyou]

most reesfs have natural channels to paddle out in so always look out for then. that way you can do a dry hair paddle out

always keep some energy left in in the tank as a lot of reefs can be a fair distance getting back to shore.

watch out for boils in the water this usually indicated a shallow point or a protruding rock.

Be extremelly carefull of hollow sections as these usually suck the water out from the reef. Have surfed plenty of reefs where i have had to keep high as there was just dry reef below

In short have fun and dont be afraid to ask any locals about the layout. And of course never ever take it too shallow

[ant]

cheers, this is really helpful, keep it coming

Many thanks

ant

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

^^ good call

try to find one thats not horrifyingly shallow so you are less likely to hit the reef if you fall. also you want to make sure you are 100% comitted on the waves. as soon as you hesitate its all over. dont forget to wear booties even if its 100 degrees in the water.

what? booties? dont forget your diapers too!

i have never surfed anything but reef. often the water will only be 2-3 feet deep in large sections, then a few inches 2 seconds later when the water is sucked out. dont wear booties though, youll look like an idiot in warm climate. just dont go dancing on the reef like a kook. yeah you might get hurt, thats the price you pay. ive been to the emergency room 3 times for stitches and have had countless scrapes an dings in the board. just know your ability and know where the rocks are

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

id like to add that most of my injuries were in the first 3 years of surfing. it took that long, 3 years of going out 2-3 times a week to get it through to my feet not to try to aid me in swimming up to the surface for air.