We love waves! They hypnotize us and make us having a great time enjoying the ocean and feeling the energy of the sea. But what exactly is a wave? A wave is a long body of water curling into an arched form created on the surface of the water due to wind or swell. The waves travel many kilometers across the surface of the sea at varying speeds until they reach the shore where surfers wait for the opportunity to catch as many as they can.
However, not all waves are the same, you have a short list of some types of waves that you will find out there, which one is your favorite? FOAM It could not be considered a wave in itself, if not part of a wave, but if you are learning to surf you have surely heard this word a thousand times. The foam accumulates a lot of force, becoming the perfect push for our first days of surfing if we are not used to paddling yet. Once you are able to catch the foam of the wave, stand up and feel the sensations on your surfboard, you are ready to catch your first green wave, go ahead! MIXED WAVES (PEAK) Mixed Waves break to the right and left at the same time. The peak would be the central part from which the wave starts to open, and from there the green wave opens to both sides. It is perfect for both regular and goofy riders, each one choosing their favorite side, making us all happy at the same peak. It can have different sizes, strength and speed, but usually is an easy, clean, fun to ride wave.
CLOSED OUTS
When the wave breaks completely in a bar, it has no wall and it is difficult to catch it without breaking on top of you. It is a wave of poor quality and hardly surfable, very fast with little margin to surf, so we recommend you avoid beaches with this type of wave as the wipeouts will be insured.
BARRELS When the wave is hollow, a cylindrical shape is generated inside it. The top of the wave rises and the crest passes the base of the wave, forming what is called a barrel. It is the perfect wave, the dream of every surfer, however, it requires a certain level to ride it because it is a generally fast and technical wave.
WIND WAVES When the sea is affected by strong gusts of wind, what are called wind waves are generated. They are waves that reach the sand with low periods (constantly) messy waves, of poorer quality, without a well-marked peak, and without space between one wave and another stopping the wave to form its shape, strength and size. They are not the best waves, but a messy wave is better than a day without waves, right?
SHOREBREAK WAVES It is the wave that breaks almost on the shore. They can be of different sizes or strengths, and being close to the sand they offer very little distance to be surfed. In addition, when breaking along the sand they are usually shallow, making it easier to hit the ground than in other types of waves, so they are dangerous and we do not recommend them unless you have a certain level to control the board at sea. In addition, many times on the shore you will find people swimming, rocks or other types of obstacles, so you will need to pay maximum attention if riding shorebreak waves.
If you feel like a surf escape, join now our last surf & Yoga adventure in Morocco, Flowing Desert 2022.