"About 10 years ago, state and county officials decided to restore the beaches so important to Miami's tourism. It was a $64 million project that dredged most spots out of existence, but South Beach was unaffected. Although South Beach is not the only surf spot in Miami -- a few little local spots are at the ends of the numbered streets, such as 21st Street, 14th Street and 96th Street -- it's one of the few worth mentioning in detail.

"Located in Penrod Park, just east of where I-95 ends, South Beach has the potential to deliver barreling, board-breaking peaks. During north or northeast swell conditions, the A-frames are shapeliest on the incoming tide with offshore (west to northwest) winds. And while it is known through most of the year as a spot that hardly ever works, South Beach can be the only spot breaking statewide when zero-degree north swells bypass the rest of the Florida coast.

"If the Gulf Stream looks huge but it's flat or tiny on the beach, consider making the drive south. Just remember that South Beach requires a large north or northeast swell to get good. While it's technically an A-frame, the coast faces more southeast and bends these northerly swells into epic rights. When it's on, overhead barrels break up and down the beach over shallow hard-packed sandbars to the point of being dangerous. The beach can be littered with broken sticks and ambulances will show up with surprising frequency. Ultimately, however, South Beach is a fickle spot with a narrow swell window. It's not uncommon to paddle back out after a perfect barrel only to find that the ocean has seemingly gone flat.

"During the rather lengthy periods between groundswells, South Beach receives a fair amount of east/southeast windswell fall through spring. These windswells are often gutless, and the peaks become mushy as the tide nears full. Nonetheless, South Beach is always a zoo, and the animals are out of their cages. As many as 400 people fill the water with a "Brazilian" style of ocean etiquette. Fistfights occur in the lineup during every swell. It's an issue of localism, racism and the colloquial "too many rats packed in the same box." Expect to get dropped in on and say a little prayer -- preferably in Spanish -- as you paddle back out.

"South Beach may lay claim to the most grotesque lineup in the world, but the beach wildlife is abundant and beautiful. Women can go topless, and thongs are almost a prerequisite; however, this randy refuge is hardly a natural resource. In fact, South Beach surfers have been known to refer to their personal trainers and/or plastic surgeons as their shapers. Speaking of which, if the love of your life approaches and asks for your digits, it's best to make sure that he, she or "shim" is not of a hybrid gender. "
-- Terry Gibson
Surfline.com

I must say some of these statements may be outdate as I have been surfing in South Beach almost 8 years and rarely seem any fist fights in the line up. We may have your occasional arguments from people not watching over themselves but you wont see any broken boards flying across the water.

South Beach may be a bit tense when there are waves as the waves break close to the shore and all the curious tourist stand in the water watching. Besides the swimmers in the water as a disturbance you always have the new guys who are learning and are not sure what to do. That can always be reckless I have some scars to account for. The worse of all is the amount of surfers in South Beach and all of Miami that come out at the sign of any waves. The waters turn into I-95 south at 8 am. People are shoulder to shoulder fighting to catch the next wave.

Regardless what many might say South Beach is an fun wave to ride.