Is it safe to surf in rain?

[jthomas]

Is it safe to surf while its raining? I'm not worried about water spouts where i live

[drowningbitbybit]

There's a very similar thread on here about exactly that, so have a search.

I'd say 'yes' but the downsides are:
- Water quality may be an issue if you're surfing near a town.
- You're likely to be surfing with far fewer people, so only go out where you're confident is safe.
- Visibility is decreased.

I surf in the rain all the time

[jaffa1949]

AS for waterspouts! They suck bigtime

[surf patrol]

Here's the surfing in the rain topic

[cberra]

I heard it is safe to surf in the rain, unless there is dangers of lightening or water spouts, i prefer to surf in sunshine though! good luck

[Z mann R2]

I heard it is safe to surf in the rain, unless there is dangers of lightening or water spouts, i prefer to surf in sunshine though! good luck

Lightning isn't a danger.....you're inside the part lightning is striking....it doesn't have to pass through you to get to ground....

[DogDays2]

I heard it is safe to surf in the rain, unless there is dangers of lightening or water spouts, i prefer to surf in sunshine though! good luck

Lightning isn't a danger.....you're inside the part lightning is striking....it doesn't have to pass through you to get to ground....

A few years ago a freshman at UNCW was struck by lightning while surfing at Wrightsville Beach

[jaffa1949]

I heard it is safe to surf in the rain, unless there is dangers of lightening or water spouts, i prefer to surf in sunshine though! good luck

Lightning isn't a danger.....you're inside the part lightning is striking....it doesn't have to pass through you to get to ground....

Not a bet I'd be prepared to take, if you were sitting on your surfboard you'd be the highest object.= zzzzzzzzzt flash

[Tassiedevil]

Hate surfing in the rain you tend to get wet . ( sad attempt at humor ) .

When the wind is not roaring it is magic tends to really calm the surf . Would not get me out in a thunderstorm I reckon you would be the nearest lightning rod to the beach and the electricity should conduct a wet you sitting on water very well .

On a different note a lifesaver I know refuses to go in the water during rain reckons it greatly increases the risk of shark attacks . Unfortunately in Tassie if we did not surf in the rain we wouldn't be doing much surfing so it's a risk I am willing to take

[billie_morini]

I surf in the rain. Why not? Already wet.

About more shark strike in rain: not true

[Tassiedevil]

That's good to know Billie . I read the western australian government is performing a comprehensive study on the factors that increase the risks of shark attacks eg . Time of day , weather conditions , time of year etc . Will be good to get some scientific facts on shark behaviour something we really have very little understanding of .

Time for me to move onto another topic which is a bit brighter , bit more sunny , bit less overcast and dreary then surfing in the rain .(another sad attempt at humor )

[jaffa1949]

Great surf in the pouring rain today, no sharks ( that we saw), no water spouts, a school of whitebait being chased by penguins, a couple of huge stingrays, and passed 3 car smashes on the way home ( a five minute drive).
Just in today's episode alone = getting to and from the beach is more dangerous than surfing
The surf was good and crowded, the rain stopped all the tradies from working so they hit the early in case it fined up. 40 in the water, I picked the gentleman's retirement time at 12 when they all went back to work 8 out, surfed 3 hours got out as the afternoon shift arrived, back to 20 out and rising.
School holidays but a lot of the kids are soft and won't surf in the rain so none of them
experience and cunning wins again

[eddyjas]

rain surfing is amazing and enjoy where there is no shark..

[skaneverdies]

I know some beaches in central California strongly discourage surfing/swimming/whatever during or after rains. Places like Half Moon Bay contend with pollution issues on a regular basis, and those issues are exacerbated by rain, which causes pollutants to run off into the ocean. I've heard of some people getting sick from this, but I still go out in the rain all the time, to be honest.

[Oceanshred]

Depends of the storm. I would say its safe enough!