Surfing near Piers - Can someone help explain it to me?

[Bub]

I'm a newbie so I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. Just wondering how piers help create better surf zones. Do they actually create larger waves, or just help them peel better for a better quality ride? Unlike sandbars, points, or reefs a which are bottom formations and I can see how they impact the buildup of a wave, a pier is just a bunch of wooden posts sticking up through the water.

[bluesnowcone]

they block winds and waves can breack f the side or the peir creating s longer ride

[drowningbitbybit]

points

They act as a point.

[bluesnowcone]

but not as a point breack unless the beach is angeld

[WooD]

I always thought sand built up around the posts of the pier creating a sand bar which caused the waves to break in a more consistent way.

[Driftingalong]

I always thought sand built up around the posts of the pier creating a sand bar which caused the waves to break in a more consistent way.

Yeah, I gotta go with Wood on this one. I believe they act like a jetty, and build up better sand bars.

[CheeZee]

hmmm never even considered why ive seen peeps surfing around piers, so nice one .. " ya learn summat new every day "

[bluesnowcone]

well i have surfed peirs most of my life and i can see what you mean it is better at the peirs most of the time

[mrc]

alright i read that its caused by helping block sand causing big sandbanks to.

[PapaW]

Combination of factors.. If the area has a specific directional movment of sediments then the peir itself will interupt this movment as has been said creating larger the normal sand banks on which ever side the sands moves from... Also they can help focus the waves by acting like cliffs do and reflecting some of the wave power back into the on comming waves and produces a wedge. Tho this is nowhere near as much as a solid cliff face would produce but you get the idea.
~And as has been mention they help protect from cross/onshore winds...