Has anyone had any experience, or know anything about ho Jacksonville surf compares to Central Florida? I've spent a short amount of time in both places but not enough to get a good solid comparison. I'm talking consistency, size, and quality, as an overall surf spot. Obviously New Smyrna Beach and Sebastian Inlet are going to be the best, but other than that, in general, how much of a difference is there? I've seen both get good but it seems like Central FL picks up more swell. Also, how does Saint Augustine compare to these?
We can surf 16th St Cocoa Beach 365 Days out of the year. I am not kidding yah. It always breaks at the right tide. Oh and only need wetsuit maybe one month out of the year. Kids do not wear wetsuits. I can not say that for JAX. Water is 15 degrees colder in winter in JAX.
Central Florida, loosely defined from Ponce Inlet at its northern extreme to Sebastian Inlet at its southern boundry, is a wave haven and home to the most progressive surfing on the east coast (quit whining you bunch of Yankee shredders). Yet, it is also home to lots of soulful Americana Beach Town USA vibe, and lots of old heads from the 70s have their own little domain and have it wired. It breaks early and often, and the cost of living is cheap compared to other surf havens. And it is way further from Georgia. Why does the St. Johns River flow north? Because Georgia sucks! I'll be here all week, try the veal.
Water temps and living aside, how does the consistency, size, and quality compare? On the Georgia thing, Georgia is plagued by a different swell angle not being very exposed to the north swell, lack of coastal access, and the Blake Plato, which is over 1000 feet more shallow on the secondary continental (Furthest part out to sea) than Jax, which shelf rises steeply north of Fernandina. Which I believe is the reason. So assuming one cannot just move to Sebastian Inlet, there are only so many live-able options on the east coast of FL. Anyone live in the Daytona / New smyrna area? I'd like to hear how this would compare.
I have never surfed Jax, but I have spent lots of time in St. Augustine and Flagler Beach over the years. Both have consistent surf and comparable size to CFLA, water temp a bit colder, great laid back beach towns. The north side of Ponce Inlet in Daytona is also a great out of the way spot and a nice place to live, maybe a bit pricey and secluded. Good consistent waves and lots less crowded than the NSB side as far as catching set waves go. Lots of shark bites however, from spinner/blacktips mistaking feet for fish in the murky inlet waters. I'd live in Brevard or Flagler counties v. Volusia county personally.
Brevard county has one of the highest guy to girl ratios in the country. For this reason, do not move there (if you happen to be a straight dude). http://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/...-neighborhoods-and-metros-for-finding-a-date/
Well, I guess that's one thing Jax has going, chicks out number the waves. I also hear Daytona / New smyrna has a good female surfing population.. Not sure about economy though might be kind of rough. If Orlando was closer to the beach it would be ideal. I've had pretty good luck with St Aug and Flagler compared to here in Jax as far as surfing goes so i guess it's not too bad, 40 min to 1 hour and you've got some better breaks.
St. Auggie> Jax surf? I don't know I hear conflicting things from friends in both towns but... St. Auggie friends have traveled to Jax for 'cane swells and NEsters to surf Poles, North Jetty, and Talbot Yet Jax friends never have said "let's drive to St. Auggie to surf." Not once. That said I love the inlets South of Crescent Beach (is that still St. Auggie or Flagler?) and it does have a notable size difference (as opposed to maybe being 1ft bigger) once you get to Ponce/ NSB. Plus the region has the advantage of a quick(er than from JAX) trip to the gulf side to get some of those 'cane and Spring time cold front surfs in.
I cant speak for JAX but central Fl is definitely a wave magnet. it doesn't get much credit on the reports. maybe that is by design as some of the forecasters live in the area. not much in the way of life out of the water though. jobs are scarce.
Ahhhh you know SIS I saw dat comment you left about my momz...it's a thyroid problem dude you shouldn't mek dem kinda jokes....Most progressive surfing on the EC...oh you mean how everyone down there does 360s with the worm burner style...doez you even know what dat meanz....Hey I can start dropping names and links of locals if you need examples...I getz around the EC Mr SIS....
St. Auggie- surf is decent. can handle big swell really well. a lot of breaks up and down the beach. usually really clean water. really uncrowded in the fall/winter months. flagler is not nearly as consistent but a short drive if things aren't working at st. auggie. matanzas inlet. don't forget about vilano beach too. super fun a lot of times. hollow beach break. the cons- super crowded in summer months, with tons of kooks in the water. if you don't live/know someone who does live there parking can suck ass. not wave related, not much in the realm of jobs there. most drive to JAX for work. JAX- also handles big swell really well. nor easters are usually great at the poles. plenty of industry there for job searching. the cons- dirty dirty water. a lot of douche bags in the water. not as consistent as st auggie. Central FLA- plenty of spots to check. most likely always can find something if willing to drive. i would say more consistent than previous discussed places, only bc of the length of shoreline available. again can handle big surf. warmer water for a longer time of year. the cons- no matter where you surf you will find plenty of aggro surfers at any spot. everywhere will be crowded all year long. although in the big tourist areas (cocoa, daytona) you can score in the winter a lot of the time. but new smyrna is always crowded, especially washout. like previously stated, super sharky, especially washout. bull shark breeding ground there. been bumped plenty there.
