What Would You Do?

the bigger the better I would say. I'm 5'8" and will be riding my 6'2" and still feel that may not be big enough. I'd be happier with a 6'4". This swell is being underforecast and if you paddle out on a 5'11" you will be sliding all over the place in my opinion. In 2-3 days there is going to be a hurricane off of the coast and they are only calling for a little overhead? I would prepare for the big stuff.

 

Just trunks for me still. Water is supposedly 76 in South Jersey, but I don't think it's THAT warm. I am good in trunks from about 68 up. I figure there are people swimming in the ocean in just trunks in 68+ degree water, so I should be able to surf in just shorts when the waters those temperatures too. Granted a lot of swimmers don't stay in the water as consecutively long as the surfers, but whatever. generally it's just trunks for me in Jersey between late June all the way until the end of September.

 

I think I'm gonna wear my life jacket

 

yeah 6.2 ft. @ 14 seconds is going to produce more than a little overhead (6-7 ft.) with occasional 1-3 ft. overhead high sets (8-10 ft.). Call me crazy but I think we are probly going to be seeing some 15 foot faces out there.

 

Can't comment on the right board size but the water is warm. Surfed with a shorty last night in Monmouth County and I was way too hot - should have gone with trunks and rash guard like everyone else. Choose your spot well, I thnik with the swell size that there will be block long close outs in most areas by Sunday.

 

it doesnt matter at all. its not like its going to be double over head. just head high maybe a little over head. your regular board should be fine.

 

if you're 5'8 and have any idea what you're doing a 6'0 should be more than enough for head plus (6-8) foot surf...paddle hard, don't puss out, and lean back on your fins. 90% of it is commitment.

 

I used to own a Flyer. Got really squirelly for me around head high. I'd go with the shortboard or drop in some bigger fins on the Flyer. At 140 lbs maybe the K3's or any of the 5's (PC-5's FG-5's). I agree with johnny that the swell is not overcalled. We'll likely see a few feet overhead (exactly as Swellinfo has forecasted although some standout spots might get bigger) and your 6'0" should be fun. 15' faces is a gross exaggeration. Bill was DOH and that was a Cat 4 hurricane that came about 700 miles closer to our coast. Try out your shortboard on Saturday in the smaller stuff and if you like, use it on Sunday when the swell peaks.

 

yeah cause it's only going to be head high....

Just remember this is not windswell... it's long period ground swell.

 

And 6ft 14 seconds equates to 15ft faces?

 

i wouldn't be surprised to be honest with you.

think about standing under a 10ft. basketball hoop. a 10 ft. face sounds big but it's really not that big. So yeah 15 sounds pretty big but in reality it's not crazy to think a storm like this could produce some bomb sets that come through.

I think rule of thumb for long period is double it so 6 ft. = 12 ft. face. At least that's what I go by.

Maybe I am wrong but I would rather be prepared for the big stuff and not get it than show up with a board that is 2' taller than I am and not even be able to paddle in...

 

i really think this prediction will hold for monmouth county:

sunday: chest to 1ft overhead w/ occasional bombs

 

LOL! life jackets optional!

 

Im with Wally on this one... I think a lot of you guys are under estimating this swell...

And secondly, with periods that long on the east cost, the waves are most likely to be close outs all most any beach break.

If I were you jersey guys, I would head up to New Hampshire or Maine and surf some of the point breaks up there, these long period swell will just light up the points and reefs up there.

 

i dono, man. bill's track was much closer to us and the 'cane was much more intense. we got some serious bombs but a lot of spots held up..

this is why i think we'll be pretty good around here