Beach breaks can be incredibly frustrating, but also highly rewarding. As opposed to reefs or points, sand bottom beaches can have world-class surf-producing sand bars one day and be absolute mush burgers the next. Namely, because unlike structured spots, beaches are in a constant state of flux. They’re the surfing equivalent to a box of chocolates – try as you might you never know what you’re going to get.
Still, while an unstructured beach break is constantly evolving, there are some simple strategies to employ to get more waves. And specifically because there’s no designated takeoff zone, a good beach break can really be your friend when looking for more waves with fewer people.
The video above comes to us from New Zealand-based surf coach the Surf Rat. In it, he details three key pieces of advice that are great to keep in mind when approaching any beach break: 1) sand moves, 2) spend time observing patterns before paddling out, 3) waves move quickly.
A bonus rule of thumb that’s good to keep in mind around Southern California especially is that many beach breaks get walled when a single powerful swell marches in from one direction (north or south). When swells from different directions cross, though, it helps to break up swell lines and create peakier waves, ideal for a beach break that often doesn’t have any natural or manmade structures that create peaks.
Check out more from the Surf Rat on his website or Youtube channel.
