What Beachgoers Ask

It depends on the break. Many beach breaks work best around mid tide, some reefs need high water to be safe, and some sandbars only work on the lower half. Watch your local beach through a full cycle and note when it lines up.

Spring tides come around new and full moons and have the largest range. Neaps arrive around the quarter moons with the smallest range. More range means faster-changing conditions during a session.

Usually reliable for detail two to three days ahead and useful for trends up to about a week. Wind is the hardest part to get right. Check again the morning of your session.

On RNLI beaches: red-and-yellow marks the lifeguarded swimming and bodyboarding area; black-and-white chequered marks the zone for surfboards and craft; red means danger, do not enter the water. Other countries vary — read the sign at the access point.

Look for darker, calmer channels where waves are not breaking, rippled water, or foam drifting out. If caught, hold your board, float, then paddle parallel to the shore or raise an arm and shout.

Below 10°C, a 5/4 with hood, boots and gloves; 10–14°C, a 5/4 or 4/3 with boots; 14–18°C, a 4/3 or 3/2; 18–22°C, a 3/2 or spring suit; warmer, boardshorts or a vest. Wind and session length matter too.

Yes. The surfer closest to the peak has priority. Do not drop in, do not throw your board, and paddle around the line-up rather than through someone's ride. A wave of the hand fixes most mistakes.

No. Contests run within waiting periods and organisers call each day based on conditions. See our events calendar for typical windows.

No. We do not accept paid placements in news, beach guides or roundups. More on our method on How the Almanac Is Kept.

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