-
Onshore Wind vs. Offshore Wind: What They Mean for Surfing
Like I talked about in another post about swells and how they’re formed, without wind there would be no waves. And you’ve probably heard the terms onshore winds and offshore winds thrown around, but don’t fully understand what they mean. On the surface, it seems simple enough: If the wind is onshore, it’s blowing from […]
-
Wave Period: Understanding the Magic Number
Wave period, swell period, interval—they all mean the same thing, and understanding this number is key to reading a surf forecast. That’s because so much of surfing is based on physics: wind velocity, wind direction, swell energy, and of course, surfing itself. The wave period is the magic number that ties it all together into […]
-
What Is a Swell? (Answered and Explained!)
As surfers, we refer to water in a lot of ways: ocean, sea, surf, swell, waves, not to mention the different types of waves we like to ride (lefts, rights, A-frames). And though we tend to talk about swell and waves interchangeably, there’s a subtle difference between the two terms when it comes to the […]
-
Surf Break Breakdown: The Different Types of Waves You Should Know
Big waves, small waves, hollow waves, mushy waves, smooth waves, crumbly waves… no two waves are exactly the same, and that’s what makes surfing so challenging (and exciting!). A lot of variables are involved in the physics of how a wave forms: swell intervals and intensity, wind knots and what direction the wind is blowing, […]
-
How to Read Waves—the Right Way
Have you ever watched surfers from the beach and thought, “Wow, they make it look so easy” when they know exactly when to start paddling to catch that perfect peeler, or “Why didn’t they go for that wave?” when the sets keep passing them by. For many people, it’s easy to think that surfing merely […]
-
Getting to Know the Parts of a Surf Wave
To the average person, a wave just looks like a wall of water that crashes continually, one after another. But to a surfer, every part of the wave has a purpose, whether it’s for generating momentum, making turns, launching airs, or even making an exit out of the wave. Knowing how to choose a wave […]
-
The Best Size Surfboard Leash to Get for Your Board
Sizing a surfboard leash is actually quite simple. You never want the leash to be shorter than your board, so the quick answer to what size leash you should get is: the same or a little longer than your board. These are my favorite surfboard leashes for everyday surfing. But there’s more to choosing a […]
-
The Best Surfboard Leashes You Can Buy Right Now—2022 Picks
A surfboard leash seems like one of those little accessories that you add on and don’t put too much thought into, but I’d say it’s just as important as the surfboard itself. For one thing, it keeps your board within reach so you’re not swimming to the beach every time you fall off a set […]
-
The Difference Between Soft Rails vs. Hard Rails on a Surfboard
Rails are the edges of your surfboard—the parts you grab onto. Since they run the entire length of your board from the nose to the tail, they play a key part in the board’s performance: how fast it glides, how it paddles, how it floats, and how it turns in the water. The shape of […]
-
Surfboard Fin Setups: Understanding Single, Twin, Thruster, and Quad Fins
Look on the bottom of any surfboard and you’ll notice one, two, three or more fins of different sizes and shapes. These fins—and the way they’re arranged—can have a major impact on your board’s performance, especially as you pass the novice level in your surfing and want more responsiveness. Fins give a surfboard stability, control, […]
