States Avenue, also known as Gas Chambers, is Atlantic City's premier wave, a powerful, top-to-bottom peak that breaks close to the beach. It sits between the old Garden Pier to the north, which holds a good left, and the Steel Pier to the south, which can throw up a challenging right peak. Both piers have a nasty bottom of concrete and steel rebar, but the break itself is over sand. This is one of the beaches where the Duke first surfed back in 1912. The best waves are the lefts off the groin in the center of the break, along with a right or left bowl farther south down the beach, and the rights on the north side of the groin can get good too.
When It Works
The break draws swell from northeast through east-southeast to south (NE-ESE-S), with southeast (SE) the best match, and it picks up just about any swell that moves. It is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, breaking both left and right and staying fairly consistent through the season. Autumn and winter are the times to have it dialed in.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northwest (NW) offshore wind to clean it up. The peak works across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate surfers, and the range of boards on offer is wide, from shortboards, fish, and funboards to longboards and bodyboards. Expect a busy lineup when it turns on, with a neutral atmosphere in the water.
Access
Getting to the water is easy, though parking is the catch. There is a lifeguard on the beach, and you will find paid and metered parking plus a car park, with some spots restricted.
