Alright so I might have to relocate to the Charleston SC area for a job, anyone know if there's enough surf there to go regularly. I've been surfing VA beach / obx for the last few years, and surfed mostly cocoa and Satellite beach before that. Anyone have any idea how it compares to those places?? I know it's not as good as OBX or Sebastion Inlet, but I'm hoping it's at least better than VA Beach... Would it be comparable to most of central / northeast Florida? I've seen Pictures of Folly firing but not sure about consistancy..
less consistent than VA beach, less consistent than Cocoa. But hey, Charlestion a cooler city than either one.
Is it really LESS consistant than VA beach? Omg I hope not I figured it had to be better than that. Damn I heard Folly could actually get pretty good, haven't heard much about how often there's waves though. Keep in mind if you went to VB during ECSC those conditions aren't normal. Fall is the only reasonable season we get. And there's SO many surfers, it will get packed in the dead middle of winter if there's a swell in the water. Parking is a B#tch too.
Check out this blog http://follysurf.blogspot.com/ Every swell in the past year and a half has been documented.
Didn't see any swell documentation on the link, just photography... Is there any way I can get a history of surf over the last year or two. Anyone know?
Every post is dated and has a detailed description of the waves and wave quality along with pics. What other documentation were you looking for?
Charleston is really a legit place to live. Surf can be inconsistent but when it is on it's on. I've never been to VA but I can say Florida is deff more consistent than here as well as the OBX. Folly is the number one spot to be if you want 'quality' and crowds. Two other beaches in the area provide some surf also. Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island are less crowded and mostly more mushy on the average swells. When the hurricanes start firing surf our way things can get all time out at Folly. Like ecoastprock said check out Folly Surf Photography. I'm the guy that runs it and takes all the pics. I've been taking pics out at Folly for a good year and it's pretty easy to navigate through the blog. Just go on the right hand side click 2010 (107) where the months are listed and click on a month and browse the numerous posts. We had some of the best waves I've ever seen this past hurricane season and I got a whole bunch of pictures. But consistency and quality is a problem here. On a monthly speaking basis this winter I'd say on average we've been getting only about 2-3 days of rideable surf. I don't remember it being this terribly inconsistent in a few years though. Here are some stand out posts that I've put up: Hurricane Earl Hurricane Igor Random Swell Hurricane Nicole November Are you Kidding Me That should give you a good start. Mike C
Yea thanks for the input, I heard this winter had been unusually bad for some reason. Also I would imagine since the stroms come from the north in the winter mostly it might be SC's worst season anyway.. Everyone seems to say the same thing "It's not always on, but when it's on it's really on." Guess I'm tryin to figure out if I have to work 40 hours a week if I can still make it work. BTW a good day in VA beach is a lot like a good day in central Florida, just less consistant. The thing that sucks is it's cold, with bad parking, lots of laws, and more surfers than water.
yup...i've caught folly good as well. not saying it cant get good, just that it seems a little less consistent than VA Beach, probably due to the HUGE amount of outer shelf, and north swell blockage by NC.
So Folly does get good, really good. And that being said, I certainly have not caught all of the swells this year but they have been documented so you can see for yourself. The one's I did catch were a blast and were legit waves. I moved to SC from MD where I surfed for many years and used think OCMD was fickle. SC has put things into perspective for me... While I will always consider SC my 2nd home (my wife is from here), I'm glad to know that we'll be moving back to MD -- at least from a waves perspective. While I know this year has been good as a whole, it is still very inconsistent. Just calling it like it is... I've heard all the reasons why including how the continental shelf plays into things but for a place that goes off when it's good, I sure wish it did it more often. It's a cool place especially the greater Charleston area. I could think of worse places to live but don't be counting on the consistency being any better than what you're used too -- in fact, I would suggest looking an alternate hobby for the flat days. You'll get really good at whatever you decide on...
There's a bar back on the marsh side of the island a couple miles south of the washout that steams oysters and just dumps the whole pile right in the shells steaming on picnic tables out on the deck looking over the marsh at sunset. Epic...it might sound odd steaming oysters but what a blast.
These guys all got it right. More or less inconsistent but has the ability to bang under the right wind/conditions. Having said that, if you are willing to throw a long board into the mix you can surf here somewhere round 100 days a year. This and last winter have been TERRIBLE but the waters also 47 degrees so its a good time not to be surfing. The summers here are mostly dribble but the beaches are great to chill at during this time. You really got to be on it to get the good sessions but this is a great place to live. Do like I do and makle sure you can take a trip in the summer and winter and youl;l find that you surf enough. Good luck.
Yea well, unfortunately I don't longboard, only ride shortboards and fish. I'm used to making small waves work though. Everyones been telling me the city is great, but flat spells make me lose it. VA beach was enough to make me go crazy every summer and winter. Right when I was convinced it was the worst place on earth to surf, fall would come and I'd get addicted to again. It was like torture
