5 Epic Bodysurfing & Handboarding Breaks: San Diego California Edition

Slyde Handboards ambassadors have great tastes when it comes to break selections.  

We spoke with 5 San Diego California ambassadors who shared their favorite local break with us, along with "insider" information & tips.

Easton Powell: Marine Street in La Jolla, California

Personal bodysurfing style best described as: Smooth
Easton's Slyde Handboard of choice is:The Hawaiian Bula Drip

Marine Street Beach is a sandy beach located in the upscale community of La Jolla at the west end of Marine Street and Sea Lane. 

• Type of Break: Easily Accessible Beach Break
• Good for: Intermediate Bodysurfers & Handboarders
• Landscape: Epic Instagram worthy landscape with tide pools & close to other epic breaks
• Temperatures: Average water temp is 63 & average air temperature is 73
• Wave Quality: 4/5 stars (5 best)
• Average wave size: 4 to 5 feet
• Ideal Conditions are early morning and with a WNW swell
• Best time of day & year to bodysurf here: Time of day is early morning to noon, summer and spring is ideal time of year.
• Crowds: Crowded during Summer months
• Dangers & Hazards: Marine/Sea Life, Steep Drop, Unwelcoming Locals
• Fun Facts: Deep pits if you take the wave right, lots of pretty girls in the summer, great Mexican food close by. 

Cliff Gonshery: Tourmaline Beach La Jolla, California

Personal Bodysurfing Style best described: As fun & cruisey.
Cliff's Slyde Handboard of choice is: The Slyde Carbon Fiber Wedge.

Tourmaline Beach is located approximately 1 mile north of Crystal Pier in Pacific beach, and includes a public parking lot, beach restrooms and showers.

• Type of Break: Easily Accessible Beach Break
• Good for: Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced Bodysurfers & Handboarders
• Landscape: Instagram worthy chill vibe & one of the best sunsets in San Diego.
• Temperatures: Average water temperature 63 Average Air Temperature 72
• Wave Quality: 4/5 (5 Best)
• Average wave size: 2-4 foot
• Ideal conditions are:Fairly consistent exposed beach break, summer best 
• Best time of day & year to handboard here: Year Round
• Crowds: Crowded year round
• Dangers & Hazards: none
• Fun Fact: can walk to an awesome dive bar after your whomp "The West End"

Makena Magro: Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, CA

Personal Bodysurfing Style best described as:  I like to think my style is very natural, but unique at the same time. I like to use my strength to help me explode into the waves and from there I become one with the wave.
Makena's Slyde Handboard of Choice: The Hawaiian Bula Enoka

Oceanside Pier: Is located in North County San Diego, the last surf town San Diego to arriving in Orange County California. Home of the World Bodysurfing Championshipsevery August.

• Type of Break: Easily Accessible Beach Break
• Good for: Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced Bodysurfers & Handboard
• Landscape: Oceanside Pier has beautiful landscape and is located right in downtown Oceanside with a good stretch of beach close to other breaks.
• Temperatures: Average water temperature 55-65 in winter 65-75 in summer. Air temp varies but lowest 70's
• Wave Quality: 4/5 (5 Best)
• Average wave size: 3-4 on regular day, 6-8 with a good swell
• Ideal conditions are: if there is a swell rolling in conditions are really good. no swell conditions go from poor-fair
• Best time of year to handboard here: Winter Swells and sunrise or sunset
• Crowds: Crowded year round
• Dangers & Hazards: Rip currents
• Fun Facts: when there are no lifeguards on duty, shoot the pier.  

Andrew Cha  Scripps Pier, La Jolla CA

Personal bodysurfing style best described as: Relaxed
Andrew's Slyde Handboard of choice is:The Racketeer Wedge

Scripps Pier is located below the institution of Oceanography, the pier itself is not open to the public.  Offering up both left and right hand waves.

• Type of Break: Easily Accessible beach break
• Good for: Beginner to Intermediate Bodysurfers & Handboarders
• Landscape: Very Instagram worthy, people enjoy taking sunset pictures below the pier as the sun light fades away below it & close to other great breaks.
• Average water temp: 68 Air 75
• Wave Quality: 3/5 (5 Best)
• Average Wave Size: 3-5ft
• Ideal conditions:  Offshore winds from west northwest & mid-tide.
• Best time of year to handboard: Winter Swells
• Crowds: Crowded year round
• Dangers & Hazards: Rip Currents
• Fun Facts: Handboarding with dolphins is a fairly frequent occurrence here.

 Have a favorite local break you'd love to share?  RATE YOUR BREAK HERE