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Port Aransas has two long jetties that hold large swells and give protection from adverse winds. The North jetty forms the breaks at St. Joes Island. The South jetty and Horace Caldwell pier enhances the breaks in Port Aransas itself. Generally known as a longboard wave, Port A. really shows itself in Hurricane and Tropical Storm swells. To the left is a photo still from the movie shot during Tropical Storm Isidore in 2002.

The Surfside Channel is another place that holds large swells. The Channel wave breaks between the two jetties at Freeport/Brazosport. It is usually considered an alternative option to Surfside or Quintana when they are too big and sloppy. This is a still image from the video shot during Tropical Storm Josephine in 1996.

Being an island in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston has a fun sea-side lifestyle with many public beaches. Along the seawall, the surfer finds numerous short jetties or groins that augment the surf, especially in winter when cold fronts produce clean conditions. In addition, the Balinese Room, Flapship pier and 61st street pier can produce a well-formed wave. Everyone loves the hollow waves of 37th street and Kris Hopkins is one of the best at riding them. Here he is during a crisp, November swell.

The channel and cove at South Padre Island can produce a wave legendary to Texas surfers. Located between the Boca Chica and Isla Blanca jetties it usually only shows during biggest swells. Under the right conditions large, fast, down-the-line waves form and break left with excellent shape. To the left, in another photo still from the surf movie is Kevin Tansey catching the channel breaking during Hurricane Georges in October 1998.

This is a shot from the surf video of Meacom's Pier on the extreme upper coast of Texas. Meacom's is a rustic, wooden pier that provides fun, punchy, beachbreak waves for the hardcore but laidback local surf crew. Can produce an incredibly clean wave.

'Buyer beware' is the lesson in this hilarious cartoon that shows what happens when one combines the ethics of a shifty used-car salesman with those of a sleazy surf-shop owner. Dingo - the name says it all!

Matagorda beach has some of the hardest breaking waves in Texas. Swells come out of deep water and slam onto shallow, shell-covered sandbars. The surfers here have to be good tube riders. In another shot from the video, Kerry Pitts shows he can ride the barrel.

The jetty at Isla Blanca Park in South Padre Island produces the best surf in Texas. The waves here can be suprisingly large and powerful and the beaches are beautiful. Overhead surf and tube rides are not uncommon. South Padre locals are hardy surfers and tremendous paddlers. The video still to the left was shot during a winter low in the Gulf of Mexico - Mark Scott showing his knowledge and ability.

This was shot when a large hurricane was in the eastern gulf. I've had numerous experienced Texas surfers try to assess the size of the wave in this shot from the video. Most say it has to be pushing 20 feet on the face. If you have ever caught South Padre under hurricane, tropical storm or extra-tropical swell conditions you might agree with this assessment

Another shot from the movie of great surf at South Padre Island's Isla Blanca Park. Some of the best tubes ever seen in Texas were had during this epic Tropical Storm swell.

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