Magicseaweed Devereux (2024)

FAQs

Can you surf in Santa Barbara? ›

Whether you're learning to surf in Santa Barbara or want to ride some of the best breaks on the west coast, Santa Barbara is the ideal wave-lover's base camp with mild tides and moderate ocean temperatures. The season begins to ramp up in the fall but local breaks offer something for every ability level year-round.

The most popular thickness of a wetsuit in Santa Barbara is a 4/3 which is meant to keep someone warm in water that is 53 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you run extra cold and want to make sure you are warm surfing in Santa Barbara, throwing on some 3mm booties will do just the trick.

As a wave approaches pay attention to the angle of the wave from the highest point down to the water level. Look for which side of the peak has the steepest angle down or sloping to the flat water. The side of the peak with the steepest angle down to the flat water is the direction that the wave will break.

While beach camping directly on the sand in Santa Barbara is generally not permitted, there are several campgrounds near the beach that offer easy access to the coastline. Some popular options include Carpinteria State Beach, El Capitan State Beach, and Refugio State Beach.

Situated between Stearn's Wharf and the Harbor, West Beach offers a picturesque sandy area for sunbathing, swimming, picnics, kayaking, windsurfing, and beach volleyball. Large palm trees and a wide walkway/bike path make this beachfront area a popular tourist spot.

A wetsuit may not be necessary if the water temperature at your surfing location is around 65°F (18°C) or above. But many surfers prefer to wear a wetsuit or black suit—even in warm water—as the body can still feel chilly after a while, especially during technical or deep scuba diving.

Wearing nothing under your wetsuit is totally acceptable, and a matter of personal preference. However, consider these factors: Chafing: Wetsuits can chafe. Give it a try, and wear a swimsuit if it's uncomfortable.

SURF IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. Sharks tend to do the majority of their hunting outside of daylight hours. Simply not surfing crazy early in the morning, or late at night will drop your shark encounter chances once again.

Glassy: When the waves (and general surface of the water) are extremely smooth, not disturbed by wind. Gnarly: Large, difficult, and dangerous (usually applied to waves)

Offshore winds are the best kind of wind to have when surfing next to no wind of course. Offshore winds blow from land into the water creating very smooth and well-groomed waves that can typically take a barrel shape.

What is a good wave height for surfing? ›

Generally speaking the perfect size for beginners is 1 to 2ft. For intermediates: 2-4ft waves are best as it gives you more face of the wave to progress your skills on. You should keep an eye on the 'Swell Period', because it's a lot more indicative of the actual wave size (see the next point).

“Going off” – “Dude, Brookhurst is going OFF!” This means the waves are good. You could also say, it's “off the richter”, “cranking”, “macking” or “epic”.

The best thing to do when a wave breaks on you is to remain calm and perform one of two maneuvers: a turtle roll or a duck dive.

The surfer closest to the peak has the right of way. Every other surfer should wait for their turn. This is a key rule of surfing etiquette. Once on the line-up, position yourself lower and wider than the crowd, wait for your turn.

It is unlawful to dive or jump from Stearns Wharf without the express permission of the Waterfront Director. § 17.13.

University of California, Santa Barbara:

Surf life: Santa Barbara is a surf spot for good quality surfing. Campus Point, Devereux and Sands are so close to the campus that you can grab your board to go surfing right after class.

East Beach in Santa Barbara provides the ideal atmosphere for fun in the sun. Its spacious, sandy coastline is bordered by a grassy park that's lined with large palm trees which makes it a popular area for outdoor activities both on and off…