Do you "spot check" or just pick a spot and go? Also, any sand reconne?

Don't go too early ... It's height of shark attack season on south /east coast

 

It's helpful to live with the ocean in sight of your home, but I guess most of you haven't set yourselves up the same.
I check SwellInfo, then go to to where I normally surf, I don't stray too far from home.. biking distance.

 

I live about 10 min drive from where I surf, but fortuantely i have cams looking over my favorite spot. Crowds are bad in the summer but that'll be over soon.

If I get the car loaded up and drive down to the beach, 99.99% chance im going to surf. I check it maybe... 10% of the time.

Rarely, and I mean RARELY, do I get down there and not get wet.

So yeah, I dont live withing sight of the ocean, but im pretty damn close! I own my home/land as well which is a major plus

 

If I get up and head that way, I am getting in the water. I might change spots depending on the wind and tides but usually just go to one spot.

 

Yep. I go before I know.

 

With traffic, lights and small towns, I'm about 35/40 minutes out. If everything is still lined up the night before, I get up and just go. If it's questionable, I check the cam and text a buddy. We are limited on spots, but luckily one area has two spots, usually if one is breaking like crap, the other is okay.

 

I usually check the bouys and know how the sand is shaping up from checking it days before and prior swells... I don't spend too much time doing this, just take it into account. I check the cam to see if it clean and which board to bring. I live fairly close- about 7 blocks- but find it easier to check with modern tech then to drive down then drive back- get my gear and drive down again.

Usually- if I decide to surf Belmar- I don't check it- I just go. It's always good in Belmar!

 

I feel the same way but will still scan the web cams and forecasts/reports before heading out. Take advantage of available resources.
Favorite time is early AM before work. Most days though, my time to go out is very limited. But I consider myself very fortunate. I live 35 minutes from the beach, and my place of work (Dam Neck) is right on the water. Sometimes, I'll take my board(s) to work even if forecasts aren't promising. Can't be too choosy in VB. More than a few times I've been pleasantly surprised.

 

Just what exactly is sand recon anyway?

 

In Nantucket, they say, "if you can see the ocean, the ocean can see you." I know first hand you're taking a chance buying property close to the ocean, or even the rivers around here.

For the most part, I know what's been working lately, and can put together the swell size/direction/period, wind, and tide good enough to just pick a spot and go. Sometimes it ends up being the best spot around, sometimes not, but I rarely get skunked. And when I do get skunked on a bad call, it's usually a hurricane swell.

Always sand reconne... always.

 

Fark LBCrew, you took the words right outta me mouth.


Always sand reconne.

 

SI new anthem..."always sand reconne"

 

I still don't know what sand reconne is?

 

I try to pick a spot and stick to it, dawn patrol some days, others, depends on tide and crowds. Oh, the crowds.
Always the main effort is surf where they ain't...

 

A good surfer always knows where all the sand is all the time. Always.

 

I'm guessing on the ocean floor? but I'm not yet a good surfer just kind of mediocre with a lot of will power