What is the center of the break in surfing?

People keep saying that you should never paddle towards the center of the break while surfing. I'm a beginner and I'm not quite sure what the center of the break is, I don't want to get out there and break the road rules straight away, so i was wondering whether someone could explain it to me.





Thanks.|||well what type of break is it, most break are sandy beach breaks where even if you paddle out you will most likely paddle into the center, you just can't help it. if its a point break or reef break that curves left or right, just paddle toward the opposite and around. watch the tides for rip tides too. being a beginner can be a lot of work but it will pay off in the end|||I believe the "center of the break" is referring to the center of the wave. A good wave will break in the middle/center and then break in either direction towards what's known as the "shoulder". It's usually to best to paddle towards the "shoulder" of the wave, instead of the center. This wave is less powerful at the shoulder and should give you a little more time to get to the wave before it breaks. It's obviously a lot easier to just paddle over the wave then have to fight the whitewash.





Paddle until your outside the "impact zone" where the waves are breaking and wait until you see a good one heading your way :).





"The Break" can also mean the area or part of the beach where the waves are good or breaking bigger than other parts of the beach. Sometimes, if the waves are big enough, surfers will paddle out where the break is smaller and then paddle down to the center of the break. By paddling where the waves are smaller, instead of the center of the break, the surfer is minimizing the chance of getting slammed by the main break on the way out.





More info about waves can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_wave|||The center of the wave is where it breaks first. A wave has a shoulder where the wave hasn't broken yet. Paddle towards the shoulder to avoid getting hit by someone and it is easier to get out.





The Surfboard Man


http://www.thesurfboardman.com/|||You should paddle hard towards the center or "peak" only if you are in position to turn and catch the wave. If not paddle towards the shoulder or break through the face of the wave to stay out of the impact zone. Next, jockey into position for the next wave. The one that has your name written all over it!|||paddle towards the shoulder unless you're gonna get in someone's way, then paddle behind them|||that is the peak. the main take off area and if you try to paddly through it you will get in the way of bro's taking off and get pounded by the peak.