Surfing in small waves, I mean REALLY small

yeah, but it's frustrating and sucks...almost more than not getting in...went out yesterday in ME because it'd been a little over a week - knee to thigh high but sooooo weak (AND it was high tide...my spots up here handle low or incoming better...but at least the water was crystal clear aqua blue color, that was nice). But i know what you mean. With the upcoming week's forecast, it's lookin' a little bleak

 

I've had a lot of fun with an old-school noserider in 1' surf - but only in the dead of winter when there aren't 15 kooks paddling for the same 1' wave. A long time ago, on a tiny shore pound day, an old guy (who was probably younger than I am now) said 'it's better than not surfing'.

 

Did you get out today, misfit? Not much sneaking in there, especially later in the day. Looked like you needed serious volume to catch anything...

 

I surf small stuff all the time. If it's breaking I'm out there. It really depends on the day if it's fun or not. Sometimes you get knee high waves that just go forever. You can't turn or anything but you just gliiiiiiiide. Those days are fun. If you got the itch, get out there. I couldn't imagine going 3 weeks out of the water I'd go insane. I got a theory that going out on small days helps when you get that chest/head/OH day.

 

I spent most of the summer hitting the break every night for ten inch waves. Literally. Then getting stoked when the knee to thigh sneaker set comes in before sunset. These nights allowed me to move down to a 5'10 and the first chest to head day I hit up in RI after 3 weeks straight of one-footers, I was going down the line and pumping on the face for the first time ever and doing so on a short board in 4ft+. Why are those waves worth it? Because they're so damn slow and barely existent that you can focus on one part of technique rep after rep and really feel the difference from rep to rep - like getting to feet and foot placement.

The waves are so damn small on these days that you're able to rep out on something specific like that since no plus set is coming through to level you and there's nothing possibly closing out. Granted, I was a complete beginner still at the time, so it may not stoke anyone who's consistently ripping good waves. All I know is each next time I'd be in a good wave, these one-foot days made all the difference. My four month mark in June was nowhere near my skill at five months in July after many days straight of waves barely breaking.

All this is likely different on 9s and 10s and bigger for LBs, but prepare to be out there for an hour or more and maybe not getting a single takeoff due to no waves breaking. But you're stepping into liquid and paddling and it's doing your body and soul some good. Let me also say that chasing ankle biters in trunks is one thing and 9F air and 36F water another.

No charger who's ever hit the break that day and gave it full effort and gratitude (whether it was DOH or Double Over-Ankle) has ever said it made them a worse surfer...

 

well said!!

 

Get out there homie, you'll be glad you did. Always come out a better person than before you went in.

 

Kooks .

 

Slashdog, I didn't get out yesterday, I'd probably have needed my wife's paddleboard to get into anything. Had some fun waves Wednesday afternoon, feast or famine, bro. Looks like it's gonna be a famine kind of week...

 

Yesterday looked pretty darn manageable up her in NH. Didn't get on it due to broken pinky finger and cast, but it was looking to b e at least waist to stomach short period wind slop and clean. My buddy got out on it early and said it was rippable and very few souls to contend with. Even at one of the premier NH lineups.
Broken bones suck. especially in the right hand causing everything to be done lefty. Wiping the arse can be a messy situation... ever seen a walrus try to put on lipstick? kinda like that

 

I've learned theres always a wave even when the forcast says flat. I also use the time to paddle paddle paddle and get my arm and lung strength up. so worth it!

 

^^^ That's what I'm saying Alvin. You can work out but the best way to become a stronger paddler is to get in the water. When your caught inside on a big day you'll be thankful.

 

Agree. The small/slow waves allow you, as EMS said, "to rep out on something specific". For example, they are good honing your foot work. Get an LB or a Surf-SUP, and these days will be fun and very beneficial.

Last Saturday was small here, but air & water were high 30's and the sun was out. Great day to be on the water.

Some dudes having fun on small but clean surf 2/1/2014:

 

Wait till summer and get a beater... will catch anything!

 

yeah, so i guess it all adds up to what a lot of the people have been saying on here. if you really gotta go, and there doesn't seem to be anything better on the horizon then it's best to just get out there...if you don't you'll never know what you've been missing, and if you do you'll know what you coulda missed! clean air, salty water, beautiful views, piece of mind, and rhythm for the soul. waves or no waves, get your fill and call it a day...a good day...

 

Bro. All it takes is that one set and that one ride on that typical day in the middle of the flat whatever and you're effin stoked. Dammit bros. All we are is chasing that next ride. If that next ride is lining itself up in the midst of one-foot crap then by all means, go charge it and find it. It'll make your day. If you got better things to do then you're day's already made but that's not likely braddahs. Charge that schitt and come tell us and we will give you props.

 

^^^ there was a day early this winter when I was trying a few new spots out. Tried this one spot out, high tide and maybe knee high at best. Surfed for about an hour but caught ONE wave that made the whole session worth it. One wave just peeled down the beach and I rode a perfect knee high wave in perfect trim. That one knee high wave was so perfect that it held me over till the next time I got out. It was worth it. And if I didn't get out and catch that wave I would of been in a terrible mood dreaming about the wave I COULD of had. Just get out. Have fun. Do your thing.

 

get something that is fun regardless of waves. Flat water SUP, kayak, canoe, and when it gets warmer some swim fins. The ocean is full of endless opportunities to have an enjoyable day, with an open mind you will find yourself complaining less about flat days and small surf on the computer and actually enjoying the ocean for what it is.