Overview
Paunch is a quality reefbreak a 10 to 15 minute drive from town, breaking over an uneven reef. The lefts are the main event: they open with a tubular section before wrapping into a more workable wall, with a bonus inside cover-up to finish. Small days are fun, rippable and rampy, while a bigger swell makes it turn real sucky. There are also a few rights off the peak for anyone willing to look away from the lefts, though they are a shadow of what goes left.
When It Works
The reef takes swell from northwest through north to east (NW-N-E), and it is at its best on a northeast swell. It is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. Consistency is moderate, so it will not break every day but comes good regularly when the swell lines up.
Wind and Tide
Look for west offshore wind to clean it up. It can work through low, mid and high tide, with a rising tide the better call.
Local Tips
Paunch suits intermediate surfers. As the closest wave to town it draws a crowd, with surf schools often in the mix, so expect a moderately busy lineup when it is on. The reef is sharp, the same one as Dumpers, so reef boots are a necessity.
