Surfing Waves

I'm going to try surfing for the 1st time this upcoming week when I go to the Outerbanks of NC. I've been a lifetime boogie/body boarder and am ready to step up and experience surfing. I plan to rent a board from a local shop there (7/12 - 8 ft. funboard). Anyway, I've read alot about wind direction and such but is there any difference in the quality of surfing during low tide vs high tide? Just wondering.

depends totaly on the break, some places work better at low tide others high tide some inbetween, as for wind you want a nice offshore breeze enough to push the face of the wave up slightly

Most of the OBX likes low to mid tides best, but depends on exactly where your going.

And that's not to say high tide can't be fun either.

Driftingalong wrote:Most of the OBX likes low to mid tides best, but depends on exactly where your going.

And that's not to say high tide can't be fun either.

Staying in Nags Head MP 12. Is that a decent area to surf? On a side note, I noticed you're an OCMD local? Small world, I went to college in Salisbury, grad of 1993. Spent many days in OC riding surf instead of in class (hurricane Hugo almost killed me).

I've never actually surf OBX, but I hear it gets pretty good. It can be hit or miss though.
Check out the pier area and if that sucks there's Jennette's pier to the south or head north to Kill Devil Hills or the Avalon Pier.
From what I hear there is generally something to ride if you're willing to drive (miles of beach).


I'm not actually from OC or the area, but I'm living in Willards (half way from Salisbury to OC) right now. I just put OC down because it's only about 20mins away and the place I surf the most.

Phil wrote:depends totaly on the break,

Any comments on Saunton / Croyde for high / low would be much appreciated.

low tide croyde can be world class if the banks are setup it barrels perfectly so croyde is defo better at low tide

saunton works best mid - high tide if you can get over to where the rip is next to the rocks, it can form a really nice bank next to it giving a perfect pealing righthander

my local break works best about a mile up from the estuary on the sand bar, about an hour after high tide. The Trap at Aberystwyth works best at high tide - it entirely depends on the break

for a beginner.. i would suggest heading out at high tide. when the tide's too low, the waves crash hard on the shore and can throw you off the board hard. you'll also scrape yourself on the sand.

it all depends where you are and what the sell is like, in north devon in the uk, when the surf is big croyed is amazing at low tide, but just a 3 min drive around the point theres saunton which is best at high tide, you realy need to learn which break is best when to get the best out of surf trips.