So, Assateague and Ocean City...what's the deal?

I live ocean city, and have had the pleasure of surfing up and down the east. I agree with belmar, if I lived in dc, and I had 3 hours to drive to go surf, I’d be going to New Jersey more than ocean city... but the question was why OC not AI, not where is the best place to surf on the mid - North Atlantic... the reason most choose oc is because it’s more of a near shore beachy. Idk where you were to see ‘ in and out barrel sections’ but either way the paddle out is absolutely torture on bigger days and it’s almost not worth it. To each their own, I personally find Oc a lot more fun because of steep drops, more shallow bars and fast pits. Some people want to surf with their bouys, and not alone. The reason you ‘ used ‘ to have a spot uptown that’s no longer there is because you have surfed 18 times in the last whatever time period you mentioned. Sand moves man, I’d recommend grabbing your suite and swim fins, snorkel too and go do sand reconne . But take sand samples to study the bathymetry, it’s all in the sand....

 

AI is only better than town in 2 conditions that are on opposite ends of the spectrum. And the general rule for the sandbars is:

Town = good in winter
Assateague = good in summer

 

Great picture, that’s cool. Def might check th next swlll out. But I think most people just want to surf with their bouys. It’s easier to convince the others how shacked you got when your bouys are backing you up. And when your suite can’t keep you warm, watching your mates get drained in front of you will. No worries on the pointers. See you out there some time

 

Man you should be so happy that your getting good waves in your own head and everyone else is leaving you alone. Do even know how annoying it is with some wanna be goon constantly on your every move cause you got the peak figured out? Enjoy the solitude man! Surf your own session not everyone else's, it took me years to figure that out. This area is so tricky, write down the periods swell direction wind direction and wind speed for each swell, and then you might have a chance. Your absolutely right about these boys being tube hounds and they know exactly how to surf it low tide or high tide so don't worry about what their doing. Don't follow what the sheep do, lead and workout too.

 

Best advise I ever heard... I couldn't have said it better myself

 

Back in the late 70's, I convince my non surfing cousin to paddle across to Assateague north end. He struggled but we made it, what did we find, perfect head high A frame, lefts off the jetty. The longest rides of my life, with nobody out. My cousin used the board I gave him to belly the rides, we had a blast. Even today after all these years and miles of travel, including riding one of the longest lefts at Boca Barranca, CR. We still get together and he always brings up that day at Assateague, he said and I quote, "I may have never learned to surf, But that day at Assateague made me realize why you are so passionate." One day in the life.

 

If there's not a crowd of people on a peak a lot of people won't paddle out there. Pack mentality.

 

I never understood that herd mindset, I guess everyone always assumes someone knows something they don't

 

Its this simple ^^^.

I would add one other thing:

A single big storm can come through and hook up OC with great sandbars while ruining the sandbars at Assateague.

Three months of calmer weather can ruin the sandbars at OC and groom up beautiful sandbar peaks at Assateague.

Which is better...ice cream or beer?

 

Maybe you can hook up with the Annapolis Surf Buoys and split the cost of the travel. They are so agro! Like all surf spots, they have their days. I've surfed one street in OC and it sucks, go up or down 20 streets and it's great. I've also gone to the spot we will not name and it's sucked, but OC was firing. Good luck!

PS, tell us about yourself. What do you ride, what music do you listen to, do you have a dog, what do you drive, pics of the ol lady, etc.

 

You may also want to consider checking out IRI northside, especially on bigger days. When I first moved back to the east coast, I had to "commute" to surf from northern Baltimore County and I am pretty sure I was able to get there quicker than OC or AI. On good days it can line up for some pretty long rides for this area. The new parking lot has a shorter walk to the beach than previously. Once summer rolls around though, that place can be a zoo.

Also, summer in OC you have guarded beaches, lack of available parking, and traffic to contend with. Now is a good time of the year to hit up OC. You'll probably be better off just heading to AI in the summer unless you are dawn patrolling. State park at AI seems better than the national side on most days. State park parking is more expensive than national, esp. if your car is not tagged in MD. In the summer, on nice beach days, there can be lines to drive into either the state or national park so plan on getting there before 10-ish or after 3-ish.

 

I too live in DC area now and try to get out monthly and usually end up in OC or DE. the ~6 hour round trip sucks though and with limited times to go I get skunked by the wind some and just look for shelter (especially in the cold), which is no where to be found on Assateague. Ass. usually is mellower wave and longer paddle, also another 15-20 min drive south of OC. The sandbars vary more in town so options from shore pound to more mellow and everything between, just need to search. Ass. faces more south so the wind/wave direction plays some too, but not really. Where you come from? Big ups for braving the winter...

P.S. avoid Jersey, the tolls and getting through DE is the worst.

 

I wouldn't go here, place is very inconsistent and crappy!