Riding the Perfect Wave: Unlocking the Secrets of Good vs. Bad Waves
Posted: 15 March 2025
Surfers refer to waves as - good and bad waves.
However, what exactly is meant by good and bad waves? What does a good wave look like? And, what are the characteristics of a bad wave?
Let’s look at the wave form. This will determine how long your ride will be and what manoeuvres you will be able to perform.
If the wave form is good, then the waves is good !
How do you judge if one wave has good form and is better to ride than another wave?
What is Good Wave Form ?
A well-formed wave is a wave that is ‘walling up’.
In other words, the face of the wave will stand up (form) cleanly, and be gently peeling over from left to right or right to left.
In this instance, the wave is said to be “peeling off” (breaking perfectly).
A good wave will also have some amount of fall (drop) to it. The drop allows you to surf down the wave and gather speed to go back up the wave. If the wave is walling up, it will have a natural drop.
Good wave form. The wave is peeling over and walling up in front of the surfer.
Good wave form. The wave is peeling over and walling up in front of the surfer.
Good wave form. The wave is peeling over and walling up in front of the surfer.
Bad Wave Form
Below are examples of bad wave form.
1. Bad Wave Form - Dumper
This is where the wave face breaks all at once. There is nowhere to ride along the face of the wave.
2. Bad Wave Form - Erratic, Uneven
These waves are small, erratic and uneven.
3. Bad Wave Form - Closing Out
This wave is closing out in front of the surfer. The surfer will have no wall to surf on, only whitewash.
4. Bad Wave Form - Wave has Faded
The wave has faded (diminished). These waves are not good to surf as they lack the energy to push you along and no drop to generate speed. You will lose momentum and come to a stop in the water.
Other Factors to Consider
1. Fading Waves
Waves generally tend to fade when they move into deeper water. One of the factors that cause waves to rise up is the compression of water particles as they enter into shallower water. As the wave then moves into deeper water, the water particles are not as compressed and hence the wave loses its form.
Waves can fade and then wall up again. As the wave travels into the shore, it can move over deeper channels (fade out) and then over shallower sandbanks or reef (build up again).
2. Channels and Sandbanks / Rips and Currents
Being able to identify where the channels and sandbanks are will also give you an indication of how the waves will form as they travel into the shore.
Look out for rips and currents. Good waves tend to break beside rips or currents. This is because the wave can break along the edge of the deeper water (the channel).
3. Surfer’s Skill Level
The suitability of the waves will also depend on your level of skill and your ability to read the wave as you are riding it.
For example, you may notice that a wave walls up nicely in front of you.
Then it hits a channel and starts to fade.
It will then start to wall up again as it moves over a sandbank.
You may determine that if you surf to a particular place on the wave, you may be able to ride through the fading section and onto the wall again.
In a matter of seconds, you will assess whether you have the skill to make the manoeuvre and whether the wave can support that manoeuvre.
Practice Makes Perfect: The more you surf, the better your judgement will become!
About ASI
ASI is a global leader in training and accrediting instructors, coaches, and schools for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding. ASI instructors and schools ensure world-class training, safety and operational standards. Whether you're learning for personal enjoyment or to establish a career in the industry, ASI opens the door to new skills, global opportunities, and adventure.
