Strike’s Guide to Surviving South Florida Surf Season
There is a common misconception that Florida is a great place for surfers. Here’s a little spoiler: IT’S NOT. Especially the further south you go. For a good six months of the year, surf is minimal.
Although June-November is the Atlantic hurricane season and that could give the illusion that every day the waves will be firing, they are not. Surf season in Florida doesn’t even start until late November, and it doesn’t really start picking up until mid-January. As for the west coast of Florida, good luck finding a pump there ever. The only place with the potential to pick up without the help of tropical storm weather is in the panhandle.
But, in those few months from January to April, you can catch local surfers spending hours upon hours each week driving from spot to spot, waxing up their boards, and shredding those waves.
Whether you are an out-of-stater, a beginner, or just looking for some new advice, I present to you: A Hot Girl's Guide to Soflo Surf Season.
What constitutes a good day to surf?
While you hope a good day to surf is when the sky is crystal clear blue and the sun is beaming, sometimes that is not always the case. There are three factors to take into consideration when determining if it is a good day to surf: Swell, Wind, and Tides. All of these factors can be brought to you by the Surfline cams and forecast feature. However, you will learn quickly not to always trust Surfline because their data is not always directly observed. A common heartbreaking experience in the life of a surfer is when the stats swore it would be pumping so you are walking up to the beach at 6 am just to see it’s flat.
There are two main aspects of a swell: swell size and swell period. The swell size is simply the size of the waves. This can be measured in meters or feet, ideal waves are 1-3 meters or 3-9ft. However, beginners should stick to 2-4 ft waves and leave the larger ones for more experienced rippers. The swell period is the time between waves; the larger and longer the swell period, the bigger the wave. Swell periods will also have seconds attached to them. The most ideal swell period is eight seconds between waves. This gives the wave enough time to barrel and gain energy before you ride it. Six seconds, on the other hand, is considered a short swell period.
Second, the wind is a very important factor in surfability. If the wind is too strong, paddling out and being stable on your board will be a great challenge. A wind-free beach day is the absolute best for surfing, but hard to come across. There are two types of wind directions: onshore and offshore. Onshore winds are not good because they have no shape and crumble. Offshore winds are perfect for regular surfers. These winds will push the wave towards the coast, making the wave easier to ride in. When it comes to offshore wind, you will want to look for low numbers. 15 knots (kts) and under is what you typically are looking for when winds are blowing offshore. Beginner surfers should try to aim for surfing in conditions under 10 kts, and unless you are a very advanced surfer, I would not recommend going out in anything above 20 kts.
Lastly, tides are going to determine what time of the day is best to surf. These are specific and vary based on the location of your break. Rising tide is my personal favorite time to surf because the waves will be filling in and pushing forward. But again, it is really something you should do your own research on, depending on where you are at.
Where should I surf?
Florida surfers know that going north leads to better waves. But, when taking a three-hour surf trip is not an option, here are the best places ranging from Jupiter to Miami:
Beginner spots:
South Beach Park Pavilion or Palmetto Pavilion (Boca Raton)
South Beach Miami
Intermediate spots:
Boynton Beach Inlet
Lake Worth Pier
Advanced spots:
Jupiter Inlet
Reef Road, Palm Beach
What wax should I use for my board?
Not including base wax, there are four types of waxes: Cold, Cool, Warm & Tropical.
In South Florida, for most of the year, you should be using Tropical wax, which is for the warmest temperatures of water. During late December-early February, you may try out a warm wax since the water will be cooler. But those are pretty much going to be the only ones you need. I typically stick to Tropical.
Do I need a wetsuit?
Short answer, no!
A wetsuit is not a necessity for surfing in Soflo. Water temperatures are never going to be so cold that you physically could not go in without one. Now in places like Northern California, yeah, you need a wetsuit. But it is more of a personal choice for surfers. As a girl, I like the comfort of being zipped up in my suit, knowing that nothing is going to be flying or flopping around. But I know plenty of women who wear a standard one-piece swimsuit or a tight bikini bottom and rashguard. Men are the same way; some wear wetsuits, others take the gamble of wearing board shorts and hoping they don’t fly off during a wipeout.
Should I be worried about marine life?
Marine life is always a valid concern when it comes to being in the ocean. Some species to be weary of are Portuguese man o' war, jellyfish, and sharks. In Florida, man o’ war starts flowing during late fall and early winter. So if you are surfing in these times just watch where you step before paddling out. Then from early March to late October, jellyfish are on the rise. There is pretty much no avoiding jellyfish but all lifeguards are equipped to help you if you are stung, as well as the common solution, to pee on your sting until you can reach more help. Sharks are also something that are hard to avoid. Luckily, Soflo has less sharks than other parts of Florida and the world, but just keep your eyes peeled for their fins and paddle like hell away if you see one.
Navigating Soflo surf season can be tricky, but once you know your ins and outs, the swells are waiting for you. Always remember to wear sunscreen, nourish your body, stretch before you go, and don’t be a kook!
Strike Out,
Kendall Ann Clark
Boca Raton
Kendall Ann Clark is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca Raton. This 21-year-old girl is young and learning how to live. When she isn't writing or working at a local coffee shop, you can find Ken at the beach, reading, swimming, surfing, or at OBs. Follow Kendall on Instagram @kendallannwrites or connect with her through email kendallclark2020@fau.edu
