By Anonymous , 21-12-2011

Horribe Vibe - New Break works like a point break (because the wave wraps around a submerged point) and it offers excellent, lined-up, fast right-handers. It works best on a low-medium tide, up to about 3 feet of tide if the swell is big enough. It is a beautiful site and fun to reach by a short hike. Sadly, there are some bullies who surf there -- frustrated, hostile people who apparently never learned what surfing is all about. Their vibe can just about take the fun out of the place. I saw one guy hassle an older guy, who in reply noted that he was out there surfing with his 13 year-old daughter. The whole vibe was tense after their yelling match. How can you bully a man before his young daughter? And then there are some who deliberately drop in on others to cut them off. I mean, I paddle out to enjoy a surf session, take in the beauty, enjoy fun waves, and even get a few really good ones when possible. I like to encourage other surfers, and I stay away from a spot if it looks too crowded. But how can you enjoy a session if you are just mean to others? New Break has been getting worse in the past year or so, with more tension in the lineup, and there may be enforcers who "protect" the spot, but they ruin it too, and I am a Point Loma local who lives and works right here and surfs here. It's all going to come to a head when someone gets hurt and injunctions and criminal prosecutions are initiated, just like at Lunuda Bay. I thought the Cliff were mellow -- show respect, pay your dues, and it's all good?

By docsurf , 09-08-2010

whatever - Blah Blah Blah... Newbreak is just a surf spot, not some kind of a shrine dedicated to localism, old guys who think they're tough, etc. I surf there whenever I feel like it and if someone gives attitude, I laugh at them. None of those idiots can fight and they're all talk. Good wave, well shaped, but don't believe the hype. Top five in North America? Yeah right. These clowns would never even make it outside on a big day at Black's.

By Anonymous , 24-06-2010

Best waves - New Break has the best wave at the Cliffs. Such an easy and fun wave to surf, and it has a reliable barrel section. Some of local crew there can and will be assholes to outsiders. Others are just normal guys. The assholes really believe that they own the spot, and they've lost their spirit of surfing. I filed a police report about one of the guys down there. On a mediocre day (6 guys out) he went agrro after I sat next to him (not inside him) so that I may get a wave (since he was taking all of the inconsistent set waves that day). I thought it was done and over with after that day. Then twice more (when I wasn't even surfing New Break) he came up to me on the beach and told me he "ought to kill me", no joke, the words he used. That was when I figured I had better report it. He seems a little hot headed, and who knows what he'd do to me, the next guy, his wife, kids, etc. Seriously, WTF?
In the almost 13 years since I first surfed New Break, I've never had an issue. Just found my place in the lineup and got my waves when I could.
Not for the faint of heart, but certainly not to be overlooked by an experienced surfer.

By Anonymous , 05-05-2010

Please read - If you are not one of the best surfers when you paddle out at a random beach break do not even attempt to surf newbs if it is good at all. The pack can and will identify you immediately and won't let you catch a wave so its not worth trying and risking getting jumped on the beach. Usually a group hanging out on the beach on the good days in case one of their bros gets into it with you.

By Anonymous , 30-11-2009

The truth about noobs - Newbreak is one of the top 5 waves in all of California if not all of North America. On a standard swell it's a good wave but on a huge swell, when everything at the cliffs is closing out, Noobs will be 8' (Hawaiian) and top-to-bottom perfection. Yes, the guys there can be dicks, and I have known several of them my whole life and even I could not just paddle out to the peak. Noobs is all about putting your time in. If you really want to surf there, surf it a lot, sit on the inside, stay out of the way and don't wear a leash. You'll have to put in a couple of winters being respectful until the guys know you. Every guy holding that spot down had to do it and so do you. If you don't want to play by their rules, expect to get hassled or possibly beat down.

By Anonymous , 28-08-2009

you know the rules! - NO CORDS, NO KOOKS, NO NAZBOS, NO PHOTOS, and just because you have lived in OB/PL for 15 years does not make you a local. Your still a transplant. So go by yourself, cut your goon cord, and respect the locals and stay at garbage!!!

By PK , 12-06-2009

newbreak - Man for all the hype this place gets(and not just on this site) you'd think it was protected from hell on high by Satan himself. I guess it is guarded fairly well.

Newbreak is pretty far inside compared to all the breaks around of it. Its a tight pack and a concentrated take-off spot. The folks in that spot tend to know each other whether they all grew up in Point Loma or not. The whole not wearing a leash is half about tradition and half about identifying outsiders. At least as far as I can tell thats what its about.

A long time ago I was surfing Garbage and an old dude told me, "If you dont surf newbreak, you dont go to newbreak." Is it really that bad? I guess it just depends when you catch it. Its not super-consistent. Ab can often be working better. If you do go, get your etiquette in serious check, pick off the leftovers inside and youll probably be ok. Theres a weird current that sucks you into the take-off zone so it is easy to get in someones way and thats no good.

If it is cranking theres plenty of other good waves to be had. Maybe not with a couple barrel sections but hey. You can always look at the bright side and be happy that all the pricks have their own break, right?

By Anonymous , 25-08-2008

Just the facts - FACT: New Break is the best Sunset Cliffs wave, hands down. Almost every other wave is soft. Newbs is barreling. And while winter is best, Newbs breaks year-round -- it is consistent!
FACT: If you go on a big day, and can surf and stay in the lineup, you'll have no problem.
FACT: If you go on a smaller day, the so-called locals are kooks. They tell everyone to take off the leash, but that rule apparently doesn't apply to them. Alot of them are pure barneys! Look them in the eye and tell them to f*ck off!
FACT: Nobody wants to see a Nazbo invasion, but just because you've surfed a place for 10-20 years gives you no special right to the ocean.
FACT: Many of the regulars live in East County. Lis is in Kauai.
FACT: The regulars park at the top of Ladera around the corner on Cornish. If you get hassled, grab your buddies and wait by their car for a beat-down.
FACT: Crowds are their biggest fear. Therefore bring your friends. What can they do?

By Sherlock Homey , 19-06-2007

Secret Password - If you ever get in a hassle at Newbreak, just tell them the secret password- "Shutup Nate!".

By Anonymous , 31-05-2007

The truth - It really is quite mellow. Don't believe the localism hype.
You'll get way more hassle at Ab.
Great wave for any experienced surfer.
Just follow the rules:
don't drop in, don't paddle around anybody, and don't wear Rip Curl.