SURFING CALIFORNIA FIRST TIME

[hisurf]

HI EVERYONE. I'M A SHAPER FROM BRAZIL AND NEXT YEAR I'M GOING TO CALIFORNIA TO SURF AND LEARN MORE ABOUT SHAPES DESIGNS. I HAVE SOME DOUBTS AND MY CONCERN IS ABOUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE AND SHARKS. IN BRAZIL, I'M ACOSTUMATED WITH 20,21ºC. IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME , I WOULD BE GRATEFULL. THANKS AND SORRY FOR MY POOR ENGLISH. GREETINGS FROM BRAZIL.

[behindThePeak]

Lesson one: we don't understand what "C" means up here

where are you headed and when? It's a big state, you'll need a 4 mil in the summer at the very north end while guys are trunking it down in San Diego. but even in SD you'll need a wetsuit come winter.

as far as sharks: they get a couple folks every year or so. Again, depends on where you go. Just try not to look too much like a seal

[billie_morini]

Hey Brazil!
Your English is more than OK. You do not need to worry. As stated above, California is large.

From South to North --

In San Diego, you can use board shorts and long sleeve rash guard shirt in Summer. You can use a 2 mm or 3/2 suit in Winter. The water temperature ranges from about 14 to 21C. The air temperatures are warm. No sharks.

In Los Angeles, you can use a 3/2 suit all year. I do not surf there because the water is polluted in some areas and the traffic can be very difficult. I am not comfortable in large cities. The water temperature ranges from 14 to 20C. Almost no sharks.

In Santa Barbara and Ventura, I use a 3/2 all year. There are some really warm days in August and September and I’ll surf in board shorts and long sleeve rash guard for short periods. This is only possible for about 6 to 8 weeks. Most surfers here use a 4/3 suit all year. In Winter, I put rash guard shorts and sleeveless rash guard shirt on under my 3/2, but only for the coldest of days. I have lived in Santa Barbara for 2 years and Rincon is about 15 miles south of my home. The water temperatures range from 13 to 18C. Almost no sharks.

In Santa Cruz to Marin and Sonoma Counties (north of San Francisco), I used a 4/3 suit and a thin hood and thin booties. I used to live in this region of California. The water temperature ranges from 11 to 15C. A few sharks in Santa Cruz. Quite a few sharks in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

In very northern California (Humboldt County), you’ll use a 4/3 in Summer and a 5/4 in Winter. Some surfers us a 5/4 all year there. You will also want to use booties and hood or hat. The water temperature ranges from 10 to 14 or 15C. Quite a few sharks.

Final note about sharks: even in the regions where there are more of them (i.e., The Red Triangle), only two to four surfers get bit per year. This is not many.

billie

[hisurf]

Hi billie,
First of all, thanks a lot for your explanation. I could search in so many different places and I'm sure I wouldn't have any better answer.

Here in Brazil we always heard about California's waves and people kindness,so we have a lot of appreciation for the place. Since the docummentary "One California Day" to the surf competition at Trestles, Huntington beach and other spots...

It's incredible how the waves reach California's coast.Rincon, Malibu ... it seems like perfect waves.

And now that you cleared me up, I understand that the water is not so cold as I thought. (I'm from Rio de Janeiro, the water temperature ranges from 18 to 23) and we rarely use 3/2mm, but in compensation, the waves aren't good.
And the shark risks is very low viewing the estatistics.

Anyway, Thanks again . I appreciate all your tips. It certanly help me a lot !

Good waves man !