As you feel the gentle cool brush against your face bringing the hint of salt taste and hear the crunch of the wave in the distance, you know that it's time wax up your favorite board and paddle out. Not so fast! There are dangers lurking and creativeness being lost if you don’t know where those waves are breaking or how strong those winds are! Before you jump on that board, take a few minutes to see what you are about to get into. Ask yourself one question. How can I satisfy this thirst I have for the perfect ride?
“The perfect ride” may be many components put together into one, but all rides must start with an understanding of the wave set-up. Stand at the beach, set your draw high, and let the wind breeze through your hair. I recommend doing this while sitting on your board, but before you paddle out. Look into the distance to see how the waves are rolling in. Are they seamless? Is there a gap? Are there multiple wave types?
A good example would be a set-up that includes sets of pipes and fluffies. It would be a good idea to count the waves rolling in to see if you notice any patterns. For instance, are the fluffies rezzing for every pipe set? Are the pipes always at the same angle? Some set-ups will take more time to understand than others, but the benefit and mindset of knowing what’s coming will help you get the best from your ride. Things to look for include the length of the wave, the lip of the wave, the wave generation (frequency and location), and any potential transitions. Knowledge of these concepts will allow you to use the wave to your desire, along with having an idea of some of the technical details like timing and transition angles. Also, it may help to try to feel what kind of lag you may have to fight through. As you are sitting on your board, try rocking gently to your left and right to feel the response of your keystrokes. Getting a good feel of how your board is responding in the sim conditions will allow you to better judge yourself while surfing.
Studying the waves is a key component to getting a really good ride. If nothing else, the knowledge you obtain will give you a respect, or “awe of nature” for the waves of Second Life. After you feel like you have studied the wave enough to shred it, go ahead. SURF!!! Whether it be dawn, day, sunsets, or night, continue to search for that perfect ride.
SurfWatch is proud to welcome Harbor Piers, owner and Captain of Team Boracay, as our newest special correspondent.
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