Surfers Almanac: North America

North America -- yes, that includes Canada -- probably has more surfers than any other continent. Not surfers per capita, which would likely go to Australia, but just sheer volume. So some of the breaks can get crowded. But if you've got a car and the inclination, it's easy enough to ditch the crowds and find a break to yourself.

• West Coast -- Generally best in the mornings, from dawn to about 10 am, while the offshore breezes are blowing. From midmorning on into the day the onshore breeze usually chops up the swell. Some days are windless and some days see an evening glass-off, but if you want to catch clean waves in California, get up early.
  • South of Cape Mendecino gets the summer surf with SW-SE swell rolling in from May to October.
  • Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver get their biggest surf in the winter, from October to May.
  • The prevailing winds, blowing from west to east, assure the West Coast of some swell year round.
  • Water temperatures range from 45F in the north to 70F in the summer. A good 3/2 fullsuit will get you through most of the year. Northern surfers will need a 4/3, or a 5/4/3 combo with booties and a hood to keep them warm in the winter.

• East Coast -- Wrong side of the pond for consistently big surf. Prevailing winds make Ireland a much better bet for swell. The good thing about being on the lee shore is that the winds may stay offshore all day. Typically, those winds will give beautiful shape to passing storm swell and keep blowing until all kinks are ironed out of the sea's surface, a state locally known as Lake Atlantic.
  • Big winter storm systems can push waves all the way south to Tobago. For New England surfers, winter nor'easters typically mean biting cold (around 35F north of Cape Cod), snow squalls and solid surf in sheltered coves from November until March.
  • Hurricane season, July through October, are the glory days for East Coast surfers. The water is relatively warm and big 'canes can jack swell up to the double overhead range and light up the rocky points of Nova Scotia like the Vegas Strip.
  • East Coast surfers need a closetful of rubber. Winter in New England calls for a drysuit or hooded 6mm with thick booties, and gloves. Summer is comfy in a shortie, or trunks south of Long Island. For the seasons in between 4/3s and 3/2s are the call.