';Renovated'; sand/surf/beach... How is it this season???

We visited Rehoboth and fell in love w/the area! We have returned each of the past 5 summers w/our teenagers and were never disappointed until last year. We were there in early July 2005, and although we realize that the ';updates'; for the beach were necessary, unfortunately the surf was a BIG disappointment! The ocean bottom went out for a short distance, then took a dramatic drop. Rather then being able to body-surf and boogie-board as we always enjoyed, the waves relentlessly would pick you up, and spit you out ...ouch!!! Didn%26#39;t matter if high or low tide, we always came crashing into the sand. We were told that nature would eventually even things out again, but we%26#39;re just wondering...

We really would love to return, but are considering ';beaching-it'; at Bethany, and just visiting Rehoboth for a ';walk-about';.

Does anyone have any comment about this, and/or how things are this season???

';Renovated'; sand/surf/beach... How is it this season???

As I recall, Rehoboth has always had a pretty sharp drop-off and relatively heavy surf. Bethany has always been the choice for shallower water and gentler waves. Even Fenwick was always better than Rehoboth proper.

';Renovated'; sand/surf/beach... How is it this season???

pzp, %26#39;always'; has nothing to do with the question...the beach replenishment last year did a REAL number on rehoboth %26amp; dewey both!

finally getting down there next week to dewey....can%26#39;t wait! and hoping the beach has shaped up@

i don%26#39;t mind a drop off, as long as the waves don%26#39;t break right ON the sand...that is DANGEROUS, wherever you are!

Thanks ';dogmom';: Yes, you understand my question regarding the surf at Rehoboth since the replenishment.

Let us know how how you find Dewey this season, and if you happen to take a stroll up to Rehoboth, I%26#39;d appreciate any comments you might have.

We love the ocean and can%26#39;t wait till we can visit again!

Actually, dogmom, it does. The topography of the beach is such that it will always revert to it%26#39;s natural state.

that%26#39;s what they said...that the winter storms would take it back to normal. i hope they were right.

but you can%26#39;t really generalize that rehoboth ';always'; has a significant dropoff %26amp; heavy surf. sometimes it%26#39;s heavy surf, sometimes it%26#39;s flat as a pancake. sometimes there%26#39;s a steep drop-off %26amp; a week later there%26#39;s not. you never know till you get in.

last year it was consistently dreadful %26amp; dangerous, even with smallish surf. they set records for back injuries %26amp; a LOT of people got scraped up by all the rocks %26amp; broken shells that were deposited by the dredging.

As I said, it always *had* those conditions. I grew up swimming there.

ok. but we%26#39;ve had a house down there for 11 years now %26amp; go year round, although this year various things have kept us from getting down yet. most years, i%26#39;m in the water as early as june %26amp; as late as october, and the conditions change constantly.

but last year it was consistently awful. believe it or don%26#39;t.

Just got back from a week in Rehoboth and was disappointed with the sand/surf. The bottom is extrememly rocky (I was told that this was because of the beach replenishment) and the dramatic drop off did exist. We tried body surfing and boogie boarding and we got pretty scratched/banged up.

Didn%26#39;t swim at Bethany but got down that way this past week as well. Even though I grew up near Rehoboth, I had never been into the Bethany Beach area. I don%26#39;t know if you are familar with it or not, but I was greatly disappointed at the lodging options there (At least as far as condos/hotel options on/near the beach.

Hope this helps.

Thank you boundformaui, your reply does help.

So far it sounds like the sand/surf at Rehoboth hasn%26#39;t yet returned to ';pre-replenishment'; condition. What we disliked most about it was the way the surf consistently smashed us into the sand.

It was actually dangerous.

We have never stayed in Bethany. Pehaps we%26#39;ll try Ocean City , and do a ';walk-about'; for a day in Rehoboth.

The ocean is beautiful where-ever we may end up.

I%26#39;ll be watching for more comments.

well rats, boundformaui, i%26#39;m sorry to hear it apparently hasn%26#39;t recovered.

i%26#39;m SUPPOSED to head down tomorrow, but with all the rain %26amp; flooding, i might wait till wednesday. whatever i do, i doubt i%26#39;ll be trying the water for a few more days :-P

i must admit it was kind of funny last year - sometimes we%26#39;d be totally over our heads %26amp; less than ten feet from shore. VERY tricky getting out, yes.