Always work out your exit strategy before entering the sea. At most beaches this will be simple enough, but at some surf breaks returning to shore can be very difficult, complicated by rocks, cliffs, groynes, currents, and/or the movement of the tide. If in doubt, ask lifeguards or other surfers about potential hazards.

At certain point breaks and reef breaks, surfers will enter the water by jumping off the rocks and directly into the line-up. Such “rock jumps” are often very complicated operations; timing is of the essence, as is knowing exactly which rock to jump off.

Source: mpora.com