Chapter 1
The dawn of Florida's surf culture
Chapter 2
The science of Florida's unique waves
Chapter 3
Champions bred in small waves
Chapter 4
Surf lifestyle and coastal preservation
Ch 2 · The science of Florida's unique waves
Quiz
What geographical feature blocks deep-ocean swells from reaching southern Florida beaches?
BETA
sonia Adjust wind and sandbars to discover how Florida's perfect surfing waves are made.
sonia A man-made rock jetty at Sebastian Inlet created 'First Peak,' one of the most famous wedge waves in surfing history.
Fun Fact
Sebastian Inlet wedge: The famous First Peak wave at Sebastian Inlet was actually created by accident when the jetty was rebuilt in the late 1960s.
sonia Late summer and autumn hurricanes generate the largest, most powerful waves of the year for Florida surfers.
Quiz
What meteorological event is required to create rideable waves on Florida's Gulf Coast in winter?
Glossary
continental shelf (noun)
A shallow, gently sloping region of the ocean floor that extends from the edge of a continent. Florida's wide Atlantic continental shelf absorbs wave energy, leaving the state's east coast with smaller, gentler surf.
A shallow, gently sloping region of the ocean floor that extends from the edge of a continent. Florida's wide Atlantic continental shelf absorbs wave energy, leaving the state's east coast with smaller, gentler surf.
Quiz
During which months does Florida experience its most powerful hurricane-generated surf?