Reading Waves and Tide Charts

[Doobie]

Ok I know we've all see them, read them, or called in for the latest surf reports but is there anyone out there who can explain in English those damned tide readings. I have the basics of knowing high tide/ low tide times is there anything else to know about them. I know there are set times and heights and does that really matter to a skimboarder Vs. a Surfer? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ZapBulletRider]

it depends on your beach. Some beaches work better at high, some at low, although most I've been to do much better near high. A general rule of thumb w/ tides is that the rising tide helps wave size a little, how much depends on the type of swell, but for that reason I usually like to go at mid-tide rising (halfway between low and high). That way I get a couple hours as the tide is rising. But you're best to keep those concepts in mind and ask people who ride your local beach.

Also for surfing, lots of times outer bars won't break at high tide (b/c it's too deep), so low tide works better. In my experience dead low can sometimes be too shallow and can frack up a good sized swell a little, so in that case I like to hit it about an hour after low or right at low so I get the hours where the rising tide helps wave size. That to me is just common sense, I've never really read that anywhere, but it seems to hold true for most swells.

[Mapdash]

Are you talking about tide charts or wave charts?

All you need to know for tides is a time. It would help to know the moon phase to know how severe the tide will be.....but it isnt necessary.

Now if your talking wave charts........that is a different story.

Ok I know we've all see them, read them, or called in for the latest surf reports but is there anyone out there who can explain in English those damned tide readings. I have the basics of knowing high tide/ low tide times is there anything else to know about them. I know there are set times and heights and does that really matter to a skimboarder Vs. a Surfer? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.