What size waves are good for surfing?

I'm wondering, what are the smallest and largest surfable waves. Specifically I'm working on a short story, and wondering if it's reasonable to state that a 10 year old who has been surfing for 4 years can surf 10 to 15 foot waves. Also what are the biggest waves an adult expert surfer might go looking for? On the other end, in general, what's the smallest surfable wave height?|||I have ridden waves that are only about calf high on a longboard (the best way to 'measure' waves is in comparison to body parts. Nobody brings a ruler out there with them.) I have surfed waves that are close to double overhead, but not all that often. And, at my age, I don't ever expect to ride them that big again. Chest to head high can be a really exciting and enjoyable ride. Of course, some folks are big time "big wave" riders, and they would be bored on head high waves. The real big wave surfers (the tow-in guys), like Laird Hamilton, have ridden waves reputed to be a hundred feet high.





I have five grand children and four surf regularly. My nine year old grandson could never handle a 10-15 foot wave. I have watched some of my friends start their kids surfing at age 5 or 6, and by ten, they couldn't have handled a wave that big either. Don't forget, riding a wave is one thing, but being able to paddle out through the break is another. You don't see all the work that goes into paddling out in surfing movies. In really big days with strong currents, it can take twenty minutes to get outside. A little child, no matter how good a swimmer, could never do it.





Just a bit of advice. If you are going to write a short story about surfing. Don't waste your time on Yahoo. Go down to the beach and rap with the real surfers there. You will learn a whole lot more than you will here. I have been surfing for 44 years, and foud that real surfing information is gathered on the beach or in surf shops.|||depends what kind of board it is, but with a thick longboard or SUP, you can catch 1-2ft waves.


and for a beyond experienced adult id say around 8ft. but im no expert..


but the biggest known surfed wave was around 45-50ft


hope this helps :]|||10