How does pressure make waves better for surfing?

Thursday, April 15th, 2010 at 8:28 am

I hear low pressure systems are good for surfing. What does that mean? How does a lower pressure system better conditions for surfing?

Category: Surf Break

Tags: , , ,

One Response to “How does pressure make waves better for surfing?”

  1. LegalEnviroGuy Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 8:48 am

    Low pressure systems, or storms, cause a vacuum-like effect on the ocean beneath them. They literally lift up the ocean water as they move across the water. So when these waves eventually hit land, they make bigger waves which surfers love. Other than high pressue creating nice warm weather to surf in, the only time I’ve ever heard of high pressure creating good surfing conditions is here in here on the West Coast, So Cal…..my friends that surf say that an off shore wind from the east(which means there is high pressure in our area) is great for surfing because it slows the waves down and makes them less tubular which my buds seem to like.