Surfing - Judging the Ocean for Surfers
One of the hardest skills for novice surfers to acquire, and one of the most important, is the ability to judge the ocean. Paddling, catching a wave and being safe are all heavily dependent on that ability.Picking the right conditions is the first consideration.The weather should not be too severe. Surfing in heavy rain is a bad idea. It limits visibility, makes it harder to stay on your surfboard and more difficult for rescuers to help you if that becomes necessary. Wind can cause similar problems. It makes big, cool-looking swells, but for beginners the chaotic water movements are usually too rough to handle.