Effff long period ground swelle. Who agrees?

Where you at? It's been working great down here in S. Brevard

 

Poles looked fun at sunrise on the cam, not sure if that's where you were or not. Tide has a lot to do with it for sure. Like where I was this morning it was breaking chest to head+ on the sets on a full high tide, but just up the road it was barely breaking cause it was too deep there. I have a handful of spots I go to on high tide, all others just don't work unless the swell is really pumping. Most spots are low tide spots, at least around here.

 

It was on some of the sets (down here)

 

I agree completely. 9-10 seconds is what you want for most breaks on the east coast. Swell angle is very important too. Straight east swells tend to close out. 5 ft at 9 seconds from the SE is where it's at.

 

I don't surf there but Surfline says it's best on a North swell and low tide, so that probably explains it

 

Word. I know this, whenever it's crazy out of control N / NNE / NE swell down here, its' usually groomed and clean up there.

 

^^^^^
Yup...bathymetry, bro...this guy got me canvesing coastal maps when the swells, tides, winds, etc get atypical

 

I counted 50 or so heads at a break I frequent. A week ago there were maybe 1/4 to a 1/3 of that and waves were much better. Spring has sprung the filthy casuals into the line ups.

 

I agree with those who mentioned a combination of bathymetry, swell angle, and period.

A 4' SSE swell at 8 sec is fun stuff at almost every jetty. The same size/period swell out of the E closes out most breaks.

A 4' south swell at 12 sec might not even hit half the county, whereas a 10' south swell at 12 seconds might be closing out everywhere.

 

This is weird.

 

long period = Reefs and points
short period = hit the beach break

 

+1

Long period and east swells are generally ng- everyone gets hyped due to the size.. But it's not really worth it. There are a few standout spots that will work with these conditions- but not many

In the winter- there are a few times where I don't paddle out due to swell direction and period - just not really worth it when it's closing out and cold- and when I have other priorities like family. Maybe I'm getting old lol

 

Love me some 6' @ 5s rockaway hurricane goodness.