Board Rentals & Tips

Things to know surfing at Cheung Sha Beach

Cheung Sha Beach has a very long coastline, it suitable for surf lessons and practice for different levels.

Most of the beach sections are sandy bottoms, and there are many peaks. You can choose the section before you go in the water.

The wave season in Cheung Sha is in Summer. 
Yet, the wave is very consistent in winter for beginners/improvers.
Cheung Sha Surfing can be all-year round.

In Summer: Best wave direction: South /Southwest ;Tide: Mid to Low
In Winter: Best wave direction: Big East Swell/ Monsoon;  Tide: Mid to Low

Beginners and improve students’ practice sections
Days of fine waves: C, D, E
Days of big waves: A, B

Improve and intermediate students’ practice sections
Fine wave days: C, D, E, F
Big wave days: A, B, C, D, E, F

The winter wave of Lower Cheung Sha Beach is suitable for beginners and improver lesson, especially for students who want to learn trimming across wave face (left & right).
Winter practice sections: D, E, F

Things to know surfing at Cheung Sha

1. Shark Prevention Net

Surfing is not allowed inside shark prevention net, only swimming and Body Board are allowed. When the current is strong, be more careful with shark prevention nets.

Do not surf too close to the shark prevention net as the current may push you to the shark net. Firstly, you may got cut by the barnacles on the shark net. Secondly, your leash may got tangled with the shark net. If that happens, keep calm, release the leash immediately and float back to the surface.

2. Shore Break

When there are bigger waves at Cheung Sha, the shore break can be big and dumpy.

You will need to time to go out and return back on shore, otherwise it is easy to nose-dive in the sand or break the board, also it is easy to get hit by the board. Remember not to put the board horizontally between yourself and the waves.

3. Jellyfish

Summer is the breeding season of jellyfish. The lion’s mane jellyfish often appears on Cheung Sha Beach. It is white and is one of the largest jellyfish. It can grow more than 35m in diameter and contains a small amount of toxins.

If you got stung, soak in hot water or applied with vinegar immediately to reduce the release of toxins. In severe cases, see a doctor.

4. Tai Tan

If you want to go surfing at Tai Tan, there is a concrete path at the back of the beach, you can walk there.

If you choose to paddle across the water, you need to be careful of the current. Firstly, you may paddle against the current which makes you feel tired. Secondly, the wave may push you too close to the rock when you paddle across.

5. Oyster shells

There may be oyster shells on the sand in summer, so be careful when you fall into the water.

6. Rock

The map shows the location of the rock/ rocky bottom. Locations C and D are relatively close to the rock. Don’t let the current push you too close to the rock.

7. Rip Current

There will be Rip Current funneling the water back out to the sea, the bigger the wave, the stronger is the Rip current. Surfers can make good use of the Rip current to go pass the impact zone.

Meanwhile, surfers gotta watch out for the Rip, not letting the Rip current brings you further out pass the line-up without notice.

8. Side Current

There will be side current either to left or to right, the bigger the wave, the stronger is the side current. The potential danger would be drifting the surfer to the rock/ rip current without getting noticed.

Surfers gotta watch out for your position in the water. The best method to keep your position is to find a landmark, and always relocate yourself with the land-mark.

9. Surf Protocol

For safety, there is international Surfing Protocol which applies for Cheung Sha Beach as well. Simply saying, one wave can only have one person riding.
For example, if a surfer got on the wave pocket, going sideway on the wave face. If you’re paddling on the same face, you two will eventually crash which is dangerous.

1. Surfer who is closer to the pocket has the right to ride the wave OR surfer who stand-up on the wave first has the right to ride the wave.
2. Don’t drop in.
3. Don’t sneak in.
4. When you’re paddling back out to the line-up, avoid blocking the path of other surfers.
5. Shoulder check if there is surfer already on the wave before you take-off.

10. Wave Size

The wave size is different every day according to the swell, wind and tide on that day. Always look at the wave forecast before you go, and don’t go in the water if you’re not confident with the wave size.

The wave may look small when you’re looking from the shore and people will easily under-estimate the power of the wave.

11. Boards

Never let go of your board in the water! As there are other surfers in the sea, be considerate! You don’t want other people board hit you as well. Hold on to your board tight every time when there is set coming through and Grap a hold of your board immediately after you finish riding a wave.

Never put the board sideway in front of you! When the wave hit your board, the board is very likely to hit you.

12. Surfing Position

Don’t hang out/ stay at the impact zone while you’re waiting for the wave. Stay at the line-up (pass the impact zone).

If you position yourself at the impact zone, you’re very likely to get run-over/ block other surfers.