This post is designed to be read following a previous Lazy Surfer post on tide basics. If you are unfamiliar with what a tide is or why tides form, Please check out the post here!
Surfing and Tides
In a previous post “All you need to know about tides” it was stated how a tide is nothing more than an Earth-sized wave. With that being said, how do tides actually impact waves and surfing? In general, surfing relies on swells created by smaller-scale storms/meteorological events to develop winds which in turn generate waves that get sent off in different directions. These waves then travel upwards of thousands of miles and at the end of their life, crash against the shoreline, hopefully having given a surfer a solid ride.
How do tides impact waves?
This final wave crash occurs when the height of the wave is about 2/3 the depth of the water. For example, a 4-foot wave will break in 6 feet-deep water. This is important because tides raise or lower the standard water level at any given shoreline break in the ocean. This water level change is independent of the size of the swell. Below is a graphic to illustrate the difference in height between high and low tide.
Photo from Mrs. Bridgeland’s 6th Grade Class
As surfers, the water level at the time the swell arrives impacts the type of wave that forms. If there is a low tide present, the water depth decreases and a wave might be too shallow to surf safely. Low tide causes waves to break farther out. This is because the wave has the same height, but there is less water underneath the incoming swell. At high tide, the water gets deeper which leads the waves to crash closer to shore. The rush of incoming water can increase the power of waves. This strengthening of the waves is called a “tidal push”. High tide allows for slower breaking, and less steep waves to be surfed. These differing surfer-specific tidal and wave preferences are a small part of how the wonderful sport of surfing is not a “one size fits all” activity.
Low vs High Tide surfing
Photo by CBS Sports
For example, a longboarder might enjoy the slow crumble of the peeling waves at the high tide. At that same beach, a shortboarder could be searching for the towering, crashing waves that form during low tide. The tide influences the waves and quality of surfing spots. If one wants to score worthwhile waves, then the tide should be taken into consideration when choosing where to go to catch the waves.
Acknowledging the current tide conditions when you surf will help you surf better tremendously. If you don’t want to go through that effort, that A-Okay too! The Lazy Surfer app is designed to remember your personal favorite conditions, including tide levels! We will always be available to let you know if there are waves to be ridden.