Mr. Bascom also mentions that surfers moving sidewise across a wave may be able to move at speeds considerably greater than the advancing wave, especially if the sideways has a large slope. How many times have you seen a porpoise ride the bow wave of a vessel. This can be seen in the Indian River Lagoon. The porpoise rides the wave just like the surfer. On the practical side waves have a tremendous effect or impact on beaches.
Beach erosion is a serious, economic impact of wave action.
There are many reasons why one would want to build a home on or near the beach. Besides why not leave the beaches alone so we could all enjoy them, kind of like a park, even some areas completely off limits. Its a unit of energy. You learned about energy earlier. There are 4.18 joules of energy per calorie.