Ocean safety
What's the difference between beach, reef, and point breaks?
Beach breaks over sand are safest for beginners. Reef and point breaks are more consistent but less forgiving.
Beach breaks form where waves break over a shifting sand bottom. Peaks move around, and wipeouts are usually forgiving. Reef breaks form over coral or rock, break more predictably, but the bottom is sharp and shallow. Point breaks form where swell wraps around a headland, giving long rides in one direction. Start on beach breaks. Graduate to points before reefs.