surf beach 8

Due to the large crowds that visit Ocean City during the summer months, surfing is not permitted between 10:00am and 5:30pm. However, two blocks each day are set apart as daily surfing beaches. No swimming or wading is permitted at the surfing beaches, and all surfers must wear leashes. The surfing beaches limits are established using the yellow stands. In addition, signs and flags are used to highlight the area. The surfing beaches rotate two blocks south each day.
Eastern Surfing Association publishes a brochure listing daily surfing beaches, and it is available at most surf shops in Ocean City. The daily surfing beach schedule is also available on our website on the homepage
Surfing Beach Facilitators are Beach Patrol Members who maintain the surging beach area. The SBF’s will inform you if you are on a surfing beach and show you the location of the nearest swimming beach.

On certain days when inclement weather affects Ocean City, the Captain of the Beach Patrol may decide to allow surfing. This decision is made daily with the input of supervisors on the beach. If there are low numbers of people on the beach, and the weather is poor and not predicated to improve for the day, the surfing ordinance may be modified. There are also many other factors taken into consideration when making this decision.
On days of inclement weather, you can ask any SRT on the beach if the surfing ordinance has been modified, or call our headquarters at 410-289-7556. Local surf shops may also know when the surfing ordinance has been modified.
When the surfing ordinance is modified:
· You may surf in an area as long as you remain 50 yards from swimmers in the water.
· A leash must be used.
· Swimmers have the right of way. If swimmers enter an area where surfers are, the surfers must leave the area.
· The surfing beaches will still be enforced as a surfing only area.

The Town of Ocean City has added a third stationary surfing area along its 10-mile beach. It was a pilot program beginning in May of 2007. In addition to the two rotating surfing beaches that have been in effect for nearly 20 years, the town has approved a surfing beach that allows surfing during the day, Monday through Friday, in the area that is 200 yards north of the inlet rock jetty.

The specifics of this surfing area have been worked out between the Ocean City Beach Patrol and representatives of the surfing community. This plan has gained approval by the Mayor and City Council because the pilot year was such a success.

This area of the beach, while popular as a surfing area, has not seen a large beach population during the weekdays. However, weekends see a very large number of beach goers and therefore it is not used for surfing during this time. The area is available for surfing Monday through Friday, except holidays, beginning the Tuesday in May after the Beach Patrol goes on duty for the season. Half of the Inlet beach (toward the pier) will still be available for all water activities.

This area is in addition to the other two rotating surfing beaches, which begin operation each year on Saturday at 10 a.m., which coincides with the first day that the Beach Patrol goes on duty for the current season.

All surfing areas are regulated by Town of Ocean City ordinance and require surfers to remain within the boundaries and wear an ankle leash at all times. It also prohibits anyone without a surfboard from entering the water on the surfing beach, which also includes swimming or wading. The Ocean City Beach Patrol enforces these rules.

Surfing beaches are staffed by trained surfing beach facilitators who are Beach Patrol employees. You can identify these individuals by their yellow uniforms.Surfing Beach Facilitators are trained similarly to SRT’s and will gladly answer any questions you may have.