What do you consider "big"?

[The Fafanator]

Everybody considers a wave as "big" differently, to some 50 fot is big, to others 6 foot is big, so, what do you consider big (but still will paddle out, not rediculis things, but basically what is your limit.)

Personally:
Is what I consider the biggest I will paddle out in without regretting it later. (although I will paddle out in biger waves that isn't steep at all, and crumbly and not hollow, like this.)
Plus I have paddled in much bigger, and regretted it deeply, atleast I am not that stupid anymore.

Edit: WHy doesn't my pictures show up?

[O_Danny_Boy]

heres a cool forum for you faf

www.magicseaweed.com/community

you can get the forecast and post all the time, you'll like it over there. you'll get on well

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

First time I checked MSW. Didn't realize they had a Hawaii surf report...sort of. How is that forum anyway? I wish Hawaii had a surf forum or that more Hawaiian surfers were members of this forum. It would be great to network with other surfers on Oahu. I'm kind of envious of the tight knit surf community you guys have over there in the UK. Anyway, just thinking out loud, so to speak...and 'jacking this thread. Aloha!

[CHarvey]

I think the biggest I comfortably paddle into is about 10-12ft on the face. Got some of those while San Diego was burning down last year. Some of the best surf I have ever had the privlidge to ride.
smallwave-
My girl and I go to a different island every year. If you want when you go to Oahu maybe my girl and I can hook up with you and your man. So far I have surfed on Maui and the big Island. Banyans in Kona is my Fav. so far.

[surferdude_scarborough]

biggest ill paddle out in is double overhead. and even hen im usually quite scared.

[Sillysausage]

if i go to the beach and see solid 6ft i think oh the waves are big today!! but i havn't gone out in anything over double overhead.

[Kabazz]

I find 4 foot quite big lol, but it doesn't usually get bigger than that here

[parrysurf]

depends on the spot......dredging beach break close outs a couple feet over is plenty big......peeling point waves, double to triple over is ok with me.

outside reef break, triple over and up is good to go.

Key is to know your own limits....work up to the big ones...and if you don't belong there, get the hell out, you are in somebody's way.


Fear is there to let us know we are alive. Stop fearing things and you are dead.

[Surfing-Innovation]

When I'm paddling out and my (9'4") board goes vertical on the wave face, then that's just about as big as I want to get - I've no idea what size you'd class that as, as wave size seems to be one of those things that people either play up or play down, depending on how cool they want to look.

I've only surfed that size a few times, and whilst it's been a real rush coming in, I much prefer something half that size that's just a bit more mellow and gives you more time to 'play' on the wave, rather than just doing whatever it takes to not get worked over..........

It also makes a huge difference if the waves are super clean, as opposed to choppy crap - especially when paddling out on a longboard.......

[derbyshire surfer]

I enjoy 3-4ft to be honest! Have paddled out in bigger but start getting Brown Wetsuit Moments lol!!!

[BoarderDave]

I've only surfed 2-4ft.. It's fun. I've been in 4-6 on bodyboards though.. that was fun too.. although I got freaked out by taking a few on the head when inside..

Im not good enough to be in any major surf yet..

[Sillysausage]

yea i'd still prefer solid head high than double overhead because i feel that i can do more on a medium wave than a big one...just because i'm not too bothered on bigger waves of doing anything but riding the face (or getting the tube but never goes to plan)

[isaluteyou]

for me its not about the size of the wave but its shape. I have paddled out in DOH and been totally at ease that said i have paddled out in solid OH and been on edge the whole time.

What really puts me on edge is how powerfull a wave is beleive it or not even a 4ft wave can pack a punch. It all depends

I think the biggest I comfortably paddle into is about 10-12ft on the face. Got some of those while San Diego was burning down last year. Some of the best surf I have ever had the privlidge to ride

That was an awesome day of surfing was a pitty that i didnt get a chance to paddle out where it was totally firing like at swamis from i wht i heard but garbage was pretty hairy itself

[pkbum]

My limit is overhead. anything above that, I get scared like a chicken.

[Sillysausage]

yea power is worse than size...but often enough here the smaller swell doesn't pack too much power (normally)

[Hang11]

Depends how far the lip is chucking out. For me, DOH on a nice predictable and surfable wave, 1.5 OH if it's a beachie or closing out a bit, and if it's a nasty heavy spitting wave, big's irrelevant, it comes down to if I've got the nuts.

[northswell]

9 inches have i misread the thread

[RustyG]

Here in Central Cali winter throws us a lot of big surf...i've been sitting here waiting for it to die down to about 5-7ft so i can paddle out...thats my limit.

[Otter]

Depends on the wave, mushy, I'll ride a 20' face, spitting a lip, that gets really scarey, prefer more like OH and a half.

[The Fafanator]

for me its not about the size of the wave but its shape. I have paddled out in DOH and been totally at ease that said i have paddled out in solid OH and been on edge the whole time.

What really puts me on edge is how powerfull a wave is beleive it or not even a 4ft wave can pack a punch. It all depends

Same here, I can ride 9 foot mellow flattish waves but you wont find me near a 5 foot hollow wave.