Surfing Waves

First of all I'm new here, so hello everyone! I'm 32 years old, and from southeast Georgia. My parents took me to Daytona Beach every summer for 2-3 weeks when I was a kid and I kept going as an adult. Until I guess about 5 years ago when I just got too darn busy or didn't have the money. When I was younger, I always thought I'd move there. But things do not always work out just right do they? Now, at 32 I realize I can't ignore this love for the ocean and for riding waves. And I have to make it my regular hobby no matter what else is going on. I have to have it. So I"m going to start off by going once a month for a day or a weekend. Jacksonville is only 2 and a half hours. Where Daytona is a little over 3. And from what I have read they have some great breaks there in Jacksonville.

I've only ridden with a body board before. I have a 40 inch "boogie board" that is 10 or more years old. That's what I always used to ride the waves. I always threatened to rent a surfboard when I went. But I didn't want to leave the water that long and always said I'll be right back and I"ll do it then. I treasured every second in the ocean! So, I guess that 's why I've ended up here then. I've got some questions for transitioning into surfing.

The first thing I am really curious about is the different types of breaks. I've tried to look it up and it seems like nobody lists all the types and explains them at once.I guess it's a lingo thing. Is a shorebreak and a beachbreak the same thing? What is a sandbar in relation to those?

I'll leave it at one question for now, I feel like I'm writing a novel. Sorry bout that!

Thanks in advance!

Hmm, it might be hard to progress going once a month.
Anyways to the best of my knowledge a shorebreak is basically the samething as a beach break cept its more often called a breach break and a shorebreak might be a more general category.
A sandbar is what makes the wave break. Kind of like how a reef break works.. except it breaks from the sand not a reef. So sandbars usually change... Ok. yea.. umm.. that probably made very little sense, maybe someone can correct me or something.

shorebreak, breaks really close to shore hence shorebreak and give you VERY little rides. Whereas beach breaks are just generally a break at a beach

Your story is similar to mine. I'm 30 now and just last summer rediscovered what I always knew I was missing, what I always wanted to do: spend as much time as possible riding waves.

Enjoy your new freedom!

Supafly wrote:shorebreak, breaks really close to shore hence shorebreak and give you VERY little rides. Whereas beach breaks are just generally a break at a beach

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I have been to a shorebreak, "Fernandina FL" and I was only bodyboarding and there still wasn't anywhere to ride the waves at all. It was breaking in like waist deep water or shallower. That is not what I'm used to from going to Daytona at all. So when I saw some of JAX'S beaches were "beachbreaks" I was worried it would be like that there too.

So a beachbreak is not all that different from a sandbar, is that right then?

Unorthodox, THANKS! (You too!!!)

TReMoR , THANKS!

The best place to learn in Jacksonville is at the Pier. If you are ever in the area, try the north side of the pier, just park in one of the many public parking areas around the condos and walk down to the breaks. They're usually mellow this time of the year. You can rent a board at any of the surf shops down here, and maybe you can even purchase a used longboard. I see a lot of beginners during the summer, and they usually get along fine, usually you can find a spot with no crowds around (bathers or surfers), so you can freely goof off and try all sorts of things while you're learning.

Thanks teaweed, I'll do just that! I was a little concerned about what I saw on surfline about the local vibe at the pier. So it's nice to know it's not that bad during the summer. Of course I'm sure it's just like anything else, as long as you mind your business, keep out of the locals way, and show a little etiquette everything would be fine anyway right? Any specific surf shop you recommend?