Being an east coast surfer I have never surfed a real reef. I was wondering how often people hit the reefs when surfing. I've surfed places where the bottom is like a rock reef but I don't consider them the same.
Hey I grew up in Florida surfing sand, and now I live in hawaii where there's practically no such thing lol sometimes I miss pulling into a.barrell without a care in the world, honestly I hold back sometimes cause getting slammed the wrong way can be so bad and a lot of places here there's no help around and no cell phone service... But to answer your question, I bump the reef almost every time I surf, especially since the waves break in such shallow water (hence all the barrells) here, but I'd say I show blood once every other month or so, and haven't had anything worse than some scrapes.
Like Doug said, avoid impact.. .I grew up surfing beachies and got slammed . When I first started surfing reefs I was cautious. But I feel it's mostly the same (except the waves are way better on reef). If you slam on either you can get hurt. Some reefs are super shallow, but some sand bars are super shallow too... I try to avoid going too deep when surfing shallow waves and I've been ok thus far. That being said... It depends on where you are. Some spots are way knarlier than others... The sicker the barrels, the greater the risk
Surfing reefs for the first time can be unnerving for some, especially if there are rocks sticking out of the water. It takes a few times out in the water to shake the feeling. But really, that's all it is....a "feeling". I've hit way more sand bottoms than rock bottoms. There are so many more plusses to reef surfing; mainly, paddling channels and wave shape and consistency. You have several good reefs in the northeast. Get a good wetsuit and practice up.
I grew up on the east coast (and recently moved back) but lived on oahu for 17 years. I have some scrapes and scars from reefs on the north and west shores, but none of them were too painful. My worst injury was a fin cut a 1/4" from my eye from a leash snapback which could have happened anywhere in the world. While you are right to worry about your body, board dings are also a big concern especially depending on where you surf. Some of the best, least crowded surf on oahu is at places where the water entrance and exit is reef shoreline where you have waves crashing on exposed reef and that's the only way to get in and out of the water. (I am thinking of Campbell Industrial Park near Kapolei and Maili Point and Free Hawaii on the West Side). I remember one of the first times I surfed on the north shore was at Marijuana's. It wasn't too big and I had an awesome sesh. I had paddled out a bit south of the break and when I finished my session, I decided to come straight into shore on my last wave. Big mistake. There is a large shallow reef inside the impact zone that extends far inside and up and down the beach and I didn't realize how extensive the reef was. (Parts of the reef are exposed at lower tides, and the whole reef is only a few inches underwater most other times.) I ended up breaking one fin and knocking another one completely off (fcs plugs came out) as I belly rode in.
Reefs are almost always worth the risk. Just take a minute to understand the risk. Each spot is different.
I found that interesting to read. I learned surfing on a pretty heavy spot, with rocks/sand but not too shallow, but very violent waves that are hard to surf compared to a glassy reef wave. I always thought that I', not ready for the reef, because I like big waves 6-20ft no problem but I'm afraid of hitting the reef or rocks. For once I'm 6'4 and just for that cut a lot my feet. I surfed very very shallow spots but I just cant get relaxed in such spots because there are waves you simply will wipe out without any chance to do something against it. My personal opinion is I rather surf huge ass waves with more space to the bottom so even wipeouts are just about the wave power instead of small waves on a shallow reef. I cant seem to find any thrill anyways surfing small perfect waves. Sometimes when I surf gigantic waves, I am pleased for 1-2 weeks with one good, big wave, while small waves on days when you dont even get nervous, dont really please me at all. I think it is very important to take time to observe new spots and find a location at the spot from there the paddle into the wave feels most comfortable until you feel more relaxed. I mean there are very very good reef brakes that aren't even that shallow. Just make sure NEVER fall head first and if you think you wipe out, push away the board with your feet before falling and go butt first and cover your head.
I think if you grow up surfing reef breaks, they don't worry you as much. I only surfed beachbreaks and rock reefs, which I agree don't intimidate as much. How much do you guys spend scoping out new spots before paddling out? A while back I paddled out at Avellanas a little to the South of everyone to stay away from the main crew until they warmed up to me - it was firing and I was too pumped to waste time on the beach. I surfed on a peak there for about an hour before moving over to one of the main peaks. The next day I came back at low tide, and right under where I was surfing were hideous lava spikes. Some must have been within a foot or less of the surface. Since then, I'm a bit paranoid about researching the bottom and talking to the locals before surfing reef.
Argh! That's the way it works right? Surfed plenty of shallow reefs that are actually safer at DOH because you have more water moving around...at waist high not so much...way more scars from the small days than the mackers...Its just that getting past the DOH part when you already associate a certain reef with pain...once you get past that...gravy....just be smart but surf how you surf...if your too busy worrying about the bottom you will pull back on bombs and dork out on a few waves too...remember... safest place is in the barrel
first time i surfed reef i panic. i am also an east side surfer. talk to the locals were ever u go. and watch were they go in and were they come out. but dont panic haha that what almost got me killed. and pray to god cause he'll save ur ass as he did mine.
here we go with the religious crap. nobody else than you or people around you will save your ass. NEVER panic for nothing. when you learn to surf you not only train your body, you also have to train your mind for crazy situations like loosing your board or being under for longer than you want. if you freak out, you have a real problem. as long you stay calm and think straight, you will be fine.
Agreed. I have surfed many reef breaks multiple times in PR and have hit coral only on the small days. Just because its bigger, however, doesn't mean you're not gonna
No, I just surfed Ocean City for the first time like 10 days ago and scored some meaty lefts. Living in Maui ay? I'm jealous.
i surfed a reef in Hawaii. No one was out . . . . waves were perfect. I paddle out duck dive under three waves. ride a right. Then a left and all of the sudden i was in no more than foot of water and broke three fins and got several cuts walking back in. If your not sure whats out there dont go out alone
I learned surfing for a long time on a pretty heavy spot, reefs are almost always worth the risk. Just take a minute to understand the risk. Each spot is different. But please remember that keep yourself are safe!
Like ocsurf32 said... if the locals arent out and it looks good its probly gnarly cuz looks can be decieving... surfed what looked to be an empty mellow a frame in hawaii and after a few waves i got a reef massage on near dry reef
