Say, If the wind is blowing side-shore, let's say from the North, would the south side (opposite) of the jetty be cleaner?
Yes, an object blocking the wind from one side will allow cleaner conditions on the other side. However, a standard jetty doesn't do a whole lot of blocking of the wind as compared to an inlet or a large headland (cliff).
we also refer to these objects as "structured areas" with regards to surfing. wind usually comes in directly onshore in the afternoons in cali, but in the winter, if we ever get stormy surf with rain, the wind switches to southwest and then we use the mission jetty and a few little coves with headland cliffs to protect from the wind. so yes, I have occasionally applied this idea and it works. but its not too often that it matters.
I've heard people talk about surfing the lee side of piers in a sideshore wind. I don't see how that would help much at all???
It probably does a little, but only if you're surfing within a few feet of the pilings. Probably would work way better at Mercers than at a pier like Crystal.
