Have you ever wondered how tides affect your surf sessions? If not, we advise you to delve deeper into this topic, as it will make it much easier for you to choose surf spots and the right time to surf.
Tides are a crucial factor for any surfer who wants to make the most of their time in the water.
Understanding how tides work will help you predict sea conditions and find the best waves. In short, understanding tides is as important as practicing your take-off; it means progressing in your surfing.
In today's article, we want to explain this knowledge to make your surfing experience even more professional.
Spring tides: what are they and why do they occur?
Spring tides are natural phenomena that occur when the difference between high and low tides is greater than usual.
And how do tides affect your surfing? To give you an overview of how tides affect sea conditions, here is the following information:
- Tides are mainly caused by the gravitational attraction between the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.
- The Moon has the greatest influence on tides, as its gravitational pull is stronger due to its proximity to Earth.
- The different types of tides (high tide and low tide) are the result of the Earth's rotation and the relative position of the Moon and the Sun.
- Surf conditions can vary depending on whether it's high tide or low tide, so be sure to consider this factor when planning your surf sessions.
Remember, we call spring tides the type of tides that occur during a full moon or new moon, and these produce the maximum amplitude between high tide and low tide.
How do tides work when surfing?
Have you ever wondered how tides actually work when surfing? How can we know the exact moment we should get into the water? Is it better to surf at high tide or low tide?
For better or worse, there are no definitive answers about whether it is better to surf at low tide or high tide, as it depends on a variety of factors.
In general, surfers usually enjoy both moments of the tidal cycle and choose based on their personal preferences, skill level, and the specific conditions of the surf spot they are at, as each beach might work better one way or another (high tide or low tide).
The most important thing is to be aware of sea conditions and the seabed at all times, to be able to surf safely and responsibly.
However, here we want to mention some peculiarities to help you decide:
What are the waves like at low tide?
- More predictable waves.
- Less depth between the water and the bottom.
- Greater exposure of sandbanks and rocks.
What are the waves like at high tide?
- Waves that come in "with more water".
- Greater depth between the water and the bottom.
- Less exposure to obstacles.
At Flysurfboards, we are here to help you make the most of your surf sessions. Enjoy an unparalleled surfing experience with our high-quality surfboards and accessories!
