United States 10 Toughest Surfing Beaches
As the popularity of surfing has continued to rise in the US, the number of spots with the right conditions for surfing has also grown. We at RunRex have come up with a list of what we think are the toughest spots in the US. They are a mix of well-known and more reclusive surfing destinations.
Trestles in Orange County, CA
Apart from the somewhat long walk to the beach from the parking lot, the Trestles beach is one of the finest surfing spots in the US. The beach is the home of mega stars in the surfing world such as Kelly Slater and Kolohe Andino. However, since the beach has such great waves, you will have to jostle for position with what seems to be an endless procession of young surfers trying to hone their skills. However, the waves are still worth it. Besides surfing, the surrounding is great for some sightseeing.
Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz, CA
This is yet another beach, which is awesome for the pros to catch some waves. Surfers all over America know this beach for its massive swells. If you are an intermediate surfer, who wants to polish up his or her skills, consider hitting this beach. Best of all, the crowds here are not very big. Thus, there is a good chance that you could catch some good waves.
Cocoa Beach, FL
This beach is home to some of the biggest names in the surfing world. They include megastars such as Ron Jons. The crowds here are not as huge as some of the famous spots are. Besides that, if you are a longboarder, this surfing spot is just great. It is the site of many local contests such as the Easter Surf Festival. All of them are great opportunities for you to gauge how good your surfing skills have become with time. With the right wetsuit, this spot is great for surfing even during the winter months.
Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach is such a great surfing spot that it has earned the name ‘Surf City USA’ within the surfing community. According to the pros, this spot has the perfect break. Most people think that summer is the best time to catch the big waves. However, that is not so, the high winds butter the south side area, which affects the quality of the waves. The winds tend to ease up during the winter months. With the right wetsuit, you could end up having quite a lot of fun.
Waikiki, HI
No surfing list would feel complete without mentioning Waikiki. It is actually, where surfing was developed. The sport grew from its early roots at this beach to the rest of American and the world. Up to this day, you can still catch some great waves at this beach. Besides its history with the sport, Waikiki also has swells, which can be as high as 20 feet or more. Additionally, surfing conditions at this beach are great all year.
Belmar, NJ
NJ has received attention for all the wrong reasons in recent years. However, it also has some of the greatest surfing spots in the US. Belmar is a great surfing area, which attracts surfers from all over the east coast. The best part about this spot is that it is open to surfers almost all year round. The area has some heavy waves that are able to produce some huge barrels. The area is so intense that board breaking has been reported, especially among amateurs. Ensure that you are a pro if you wish to enjoy your time at Belmar.
Pensacola Pier, FL
Pensacola is not just for use by the military. The pier has some great surf, especially during hurricane season. Because of unique conditions that exist at the pier, waves can be as high as 12 feet sometimes. However, these swells come with longshore currents that can be dangerous. If you are a true diehard of the sport looking for a new thrill, try this spot.
South Padre Island, TX
Just close the Mexican border, there is a small town called South Padre Island. If you want to catch some great waves, you will have to go just north of the jetty. The jetty is quite good at trapping sand. The result is that it is able to produce a hollow, inside wave. The waters of this small town are quite deep. The result is that the waves are quite consistent and powerful.
Black’s Beach, CA
If you ask surfers in San Diego County, CA, they will tell that this is the best beach there is. Although it can be a bit crowded, most of the crowds will avoid the large swells. Thus, if you are a pro of the sport, you will have most of the large swells to yourself. The waves here have been known to go above twenty feet.
Morro Bay, CA
The area is home to the famous Morro Rock, a natural feature that is 576 feet tall. The town near this surfing spot is next to a nature reserve that is home to the peregrine falcon. The beach is uniquely in a manner that will have any pro surfer gleaning ear to ear.