Link to MamasHealth.com
Mamashealth.com Home
Surf 101

Benefits of Surfing
Learning to Surf
Surfing 101
Surfing Accessories
Surfing Gear Guide
Types of Waves

Links

Email Mama

Surfboard
Rash guard
Wet Suit

Surf lesson and demonstrations

First steps
Choosing a surf board
Beach safety
Personal safety
Identify get out of a rip
How stand on a surf board
How to take care for board
How to paddle correctly
How to sit, and angle board
How to select a wave
How to ride a wave
Proper surf ettiquete



types of ocean waves

What causes Ocean Waves?

Waves are caused by wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. The longer, stronger and further the wind blows, the bigger the waves will be.

Kinds of Waves?

There are three main kinds of waves.

  1. Shore Dump
    • A shore dump wave is a kind of wave where the waves shape up steeply before breaking powerfully in shallow water next to the shore.
    • Shore dump waves are a common cause of broken limbs and back injuries.
  2. Spilling Waves
    • Best waves for body surfing.
  3. Surging Waves
    • Surfing waves never break
    • They are dangerous to young/infant swimmers as they can knock them off their feet and wash them out to deep water.

What is a Rip Current?

A rip is a strong current running out to sea. Rip currents are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches. A rip current usually occurs when a channel forms between the shore and a sandbar, and large waves have built up water which then returns to sea, causing a drag effect. The larger the surf, the stronger the rip current. Rip currents are very dangerous. They can carry a weak or tired swimmer out into deep water.

What do Rip Currents look like?

Some common features of rip currents are:

  • Dark, murky brown water
  • Waves breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip debris.

Caught in a Rip Current?

If you are caught in a rip current, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Then swim parallel to the shore for about 30 to 40 meters until you reach the breaking wave zone, then swim back to shore or signal for help.


 

Hot Topics:

Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition?

Serena: The wanna be vegetarian

Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder

Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance

Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me

How to avoid Swine Flu

What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery

Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future

Foods for weight loss

Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield

Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition.

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170

©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved

Link to MamasHealth.com