By: Audrey Rosendahl
Surfing all depends on the waves and their conditions. There is known to be good surfing in both Florida and California. Charlotte Martin, a junior at Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) knows this to be very true, as she has grown up surfing in both California and Florida.
Martin has been surfing for about 5 years and has become very talented. She has grown up surfing with friends in town and with her cousins in California. When visiting Cali for the first time, Martin realized the waves in California are much different than the ones back home. Florida’s coast is warmer, calmer and more extensive while California’s coast is cooler, more rugged, and offers stronger surf and dramatic scenery.
Charlotte Martin (11)
Martin lives in Ponte Vedra Beach (PVB) and mostly surfs at the Jax Beach Peir. “The Peir is so much fun when the waves are good however, the number of days the waves are good here are limited.”
California tends to have bigger waves than on the East Coast. Martin says, “The waves are so much fun, the barrels are clean, and the line gets me a long ride.” California tends to have consistent waves year-round. However, there are some cons surfing in Cali as well. Martin says, “The water is so cold, and the breaks are so much further out than Florida. I’m not used to 150-yard paddle when in Florida I barely paddle 50.” The water in California is part of the Pacific Ocean, which tends to be much colder than the Atlantic. To brave the freezing conditions, surfers in California wear wetsuits even in the summer due to the temperature being around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Martin lives in Ponte Vedra Beach (PVB) and mostly surfs at the Jax Beach Peir. “The Peir is so much fun when the waves are good however, the number of days the waves are good here are limited,” says Martin. Martin likes to surf the shores of Sarasota Florida, however, she says, “The number of sharks I see isn’t worth the trip, so I stay in Jax Beach.” PVB and Jax Beach don’t have the same waves as California but they both have their pros and cons. Martin says,” In Florida, I like how warm the water is and the environment better, however, I get frustrated when it’s been three weeks with no good waves.”
“In Cali, I like how the waves are bigger, better for shortboard, and overall, more consistent than PVB.” “If I had to choose, Florida waves are fun when there is a swell, but I think overall California has better waves, especially for more experienced surfers who are looking for a challenge.”
Pictured: Walking to Flagler Beach
