Standing by the sea, most people enjoy watching waves roll in or noticing when the tide creeps higher than expected, but few really understand why it happens. Here’s a clear breakdown of what drives ...

— Ellie Webb, Mineral Point, Wis. A Grant Petty, professor in the department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Gravity helps make the ocean tides happen.

Have you ever wondered how tide influences surf conditions, and whether or not there is a “best” tide for surfing? Surfline’s Jonathan Warren weighs in on this oft-misunderstood topic below. “Tide is ...