Surfing Waves

Hi, I'm new here to the forum and just started learning about how to use the surfing charts. Started using a body board a few years ago but this year I've become totally addicted and wants to learn all of body surfing and the waves.

SOoo, I'm a little conflicted. The waves don't look SUPER great, but a few things are confusing me. Not sure what Cross-off, cross-on shore means, and glassy. Also, trying to decide if we should go to the OC or VA beach.


I would like some advice and help, thanks.



http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Oce ... st/six_day

http://magicseaweed.com/Ocean-City-MD-Surf-Report/395/

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Vir ... st/six_day

http://magicseaweed.com/Virginia-Beach-Surf-Report/396/

Those terms describe the direction of the wind on the break. Offshore winds mean they are blowing against the waves faces (towards the ocean), onshore means they are blowing on the back of the waves (towards the shore), cross-shore means they are blowing parallel to the shore (so cross-off and cross-on are like a cross-shore wind that is slightly offshore or onshore). Glassy means there is barely any wind, so the water surface is really plane.

Being too simplistic, glassy conditions are great, offshore can be good, onshore is usually not cool..

Not sure about the breaks though

If you are just learning to bodysurf then you will most likely just be riding whitewater to the beach. Until you get to where you are riding across the face of the wave then the most important thing besides the wave size is the weather (assuming there is a lifeguard present). Is the air temperature and water temperature acceptable to you? Does rain or whatever else bother you? I have no clue which of those two beaches would be better, however some beaches have bodysurfing designated areas and that would probably be a better choice initially if possible.

You must be in the D.C. Metro area if it's between OC and VA beach........go to OC.

Assateague is also good, but OBX is the best in the relative area.

Just as important as wind direction, you should also be knowledgeable about TIDES. Some places break better on low, some on high tide. Some places it's easy to get in and out on low tide, but treacherous on high tide.

Thanks big H,. That's actually what I chose to do. Because of the wind that's going into the wave at Virgina beach. Waves look a little stronger but maybe that doesn't matter.

Last week, we went to Virginia Beach, and OMG what a cool freakin day! Waves were massive, really strong, thanks to Jose. Towards high tide, they were pretty much breaking bad (haha) right on the sandbar. Hopefully, I'm getting the word right. Where it brakes right at the edge. It seemed like a epic day. Of course, the read signs went up and a few people got hurt. Even saw there rescue squad take someone to the hospital.


Never heard of Assateague Island. It doesn't seem to far . Yeah, we live in Virgina close to DC so it's nice to choose between two. Wouldn't mind to add a 3 or 4 option in the mix.

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alyssavg wrote:Towards high tide, they were pretty much breaking bad (haha) right on the sandbar. Hopefully, I'm getting the word right. Where it brakes right at the edge.

Probably you mean shorebreak, it's when the wave just break suddenly usually as a close out on the inside.

Sounds like you had fun, but maybe it was a bit dangerous day for a beginner. Be careful out there!

There are benefits to not having a board . For one thing you can dive under every wave and totally escape getting pounded except right where the lip is coming down and anywhere near that in bigger waves. You don't need to worry about getting hit by your board or dragged back by your board but you do still need to watch out for other peoples boards. However you can just submerge to avoid contact. It however is not quite as easy to ride a wave as a boogie board