Onshore Meaning in Surfing

Onshore describes wind that blows from the ocean toward the land. This direction usually creates messy and crumbling waves for the surfer. The wind pushes the top of the wave over before it peaks. This results in a lot of whitewater and very little open face. Onshore conditions are often difficult to paddle through because of the chop. Many surfers find these waves challenging for performing clean and smooth maneuvers. A surfer struggles to find a good wave during a heavy onshore. The water surface looks bumpy and disorganized under the pushing wind. One athlete catches a short and crumbly wave in onshore winds. These conditions are common during the afternoon as the land heats up.