Dropping In Surf Show Podcast Vortex Ratio
Jun 26, 2023
They unpack what vortex ratio is and why it matters for reading barrels and tube shape. Short, punchy explanations cover peel angle, breaking intensity, and orthogonal seabed gradient. Practical talk links vortex ratio to paddling strategy, positioning, and which board to choose on different waves.
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Choose Boards For Wave Curvature Not Paddle Out
- Prioritize paddling technique over picking a bigger board for paddle-out ease; better technique removes the need to choose board volume for paddling.
- Once paddling is sound, select boards to match wave curvature and vortex ratio instead.
Why Peel Angle Controls Surfability
- Peel angle is the aerial angle between the previous whitewater line and the incoming swell line and strongly affects whether a wave is surfable.
- Low peel angles (near zero) produce closeouts and are often unsurfable; high peel angles (near 90°) give long, straight rides but less maneuverability.
Learning With My Son On A 90 Degree Peel
- Rob Case described surfing a 90° peel angle beach with his son where waves didn't peel but were great for learning on longboards.
- He used the example to show high peel angle waves can be surfed but offer limited maneuverability.