I hear all this talk about which tide is the best one to look for but I generally just get up early and get out there. I pretty much check the wind direction and swell but the tide???
I would think an incoming tide would be the go but ... does that depend on where your surfing ie: beachies, point breaks, reef etc.
Info. please

Good question,

Take last week for instance,you look at the swell on high tide and nothing doing,check it a couple of hours later and bingo its on.

Low tide, High performance board
High tide,cruiser type board
Mid tide, any of the above

I like the dropping tide best,you can muck around for an hour and its improving all the time,being an old bugger it also helps your timing.

Beach breaks or reef,I like the fuller tide,9 foot of board on a steep take off with sharp reef does scare me so I hit the mid going to high tide in Bali.

The younger crew will disagree with me which is understandable,however I am no spring chicken any more.

Nothing better than watching a young charger on a longboard.

Summer - Low tide early morning rising
Winter - High tide early dropping

Autumn tends to be more like summer tides, Spring more like Winter

Generally go the early either way, have a couple of boards in the wagon so you can surf through most conditions. Getting picky for no real reason may thwart your development as surfing different tides is an experience all on its own. Different waves are what its all about yeeeooouuuw

General rule of thumb higher tide for beachies and mid to low for reefs, this applies to WA only and may change due to conditions

Hope that helps .com.au

Cheers guys, been down Albany (my home town ) for a few days. Should've chucked the board in the car

Thanks for the information ... more for this old brain to take in

I surf mainly beachies so I have a preference for mid to low tides because I like to start in relatively safe but punchy conditions and get it wired before the tide drops and starts to get really fun. The beachies I surf are just plain nasty at high tide and getting in and out can be rather hard on boards and bodies.

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billboard said...

I surf mainly beachies so I have a preference for mid to low tides because I like to start in relatively safe but punchy conditions and get it wired before the tide drops and starts to get really fun. The beachies I surf are just plain nasty at high tide and getting in and out can be rather hard on boards and bodies.

Well if cut about 3ft off ya boards ya mite have a chance

Doggie thats a big bite.

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asea said...

Doggie thats a big bite.

Hehe, yea woof!!

hey mate
those are all decent guides but it really depends on the banks and the wave size when ur surfing beachies,

my local tends to break good on a mid tide getting higher until the waves get around 3 foot, as the breaks are a little dodgey, but when it gets bigger say around 6 foot it starts to break on a couple of the bars

thats my 2c but every beach is different so you just have to get to know the conditions.

i agree mondo.

Was greeted yesterday arvo with 2 foot legian beach break,good fun and warm as.

This morning its 1 foot low and not malable or really surfable imo.

Switch off that LT MAC back home 3ft and glassy no wind sensational,we'll have to send you away more often.

Enjoy Mac !! Even if not brilliant today. Still a nice place to hang out, and relax.

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62mac said...

Was greeted yesterday arvo with 2 foot legian beach break,good fun and warm as.

This morning its 1 foot low and not malable or really surfable imo.

I'll be over there in about 3 weeks. cant wait. How are the crowds Mac ?

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smh said...

62mac said...

Was greeted yesterday arvo with 2 foot legian beach break,good fun and warm as.

This morning its 1 foot low and not malable or really surfable imo.

I'll be over there in about 3 weeks. cant wait. How are the crowds Mac ?

Yesterday arvo was a few out but all good,I told them I was mates with asea and they paddled way down the line.

I was over here dec 11 last year and it was quite,its busy as around town.
Around 15 out on the break I was surfing but little north it was packed.

Sounds alright. I'm just going to hire a board and surf in the mornings. Its probably no worse than school holiday crowds anyway.

The past two days have been low tide in the mornings and not a sole out,hit it mid to high,more swell and longer rides.

Vanders,I've had that drink for you mate,matter a fact I think I've had one for everyone

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62mac said...
Vanders,I've had that drink for you mate,matter a fact I think I've had one for everyone

Macca's on Friday - less than average with more than average crowd

Despsite SE forecast, went for an early beachie today an was much nicer than I thought it would be

Mac, good to see you scoring some waves. How about some photos?

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62mac said...

The past two days have been low tide in the mornings and not a sole out,hit it mid to high,more swell and longer rides.

Vanders,I've had that drink for you mate,matter a fact I think I've had one for everyone

Then you have had one extra mate, I don't drink
Great to hear your getting some waves over there, seems like everyone is getting waves but Perth. Any tide would do me right now.

East side is cranking today try and get photos but traveling alone it s not easy.

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62mac said...

East side is cranking today try and get photos but traveling alone it s not easy.

Shoulda told me earlier mate .... i would've carried your bags for you
and taken pics of that McT of yours ripping