how big is too big

[joem]

for a beginer

[Dr Rev]

Anything over 4 Ft !

[joem]

so 4ft (not very powerfull, sloppy beach brake) would be ok, i have surfed before and have some experence but still cosider my self a beginer

[Dr Rev]

You should be fine with that, but if in doubt, dont go out !!!

Not yet anyway !!!

[joem]

i thought i would be but no much bigger than 4ft just wanted too no i wasnt being silly

[Dr Rev]

Nothing wrong in being cautious , rather be cautious than in trouble !

[justloafing]

4 ft is chest high. You can get some power in chest high waves.

[scuba steve]

I thought 4 foot was head high.

This link is fairly useful for wave heights:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/surfing/site ... size.shtml


As a beginner 2-3 ft. is probably the max you should head out in, but I guess if you're riding white water that can go up

[justloafing]

I thought 4 foot was head high.

This link is fairly useful for wave heights:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/surfing/site ... size.shtml


As a beginner 2-3 ft. is probably the max you should head out in, but I guess if you're riding white water that can go up

I have always gone by this. It is from SurLine. Of course it makes all the difference in the world of how tall you are but I guess someone has to set a standard.
1'= knee high
2'= thigh high
3'= waist high
4'= shoulder high
5'= head high
6'= 1 foot overhead
8'= 3' overhead
10'= 5’ overhead or double overhead faces

[scuba steve]

To be honest, I don't think there is a set measuremnt as there are so many different sources of wave height.

[northswell]

I think any beginer would struggle to get out back in much over 3ft unless there were mega long periods between sets.
At four foot your battling through white water like this.



And trying to surf waves like this.



And this is a super mellow beach break.