Tides at Ocean Beach push currents - big ones. The currents at the Gate are about 6 times greater than currents at Ocean Beach, and null sideshore currents occur very close to the tide changes. Sometimes you can enter a surf session one hour before the tide change, drift a block one way, and then a block the other way. To maximize wave counts it is necessary to triangulate yourself and fight the sideshore - it is the only way to stay on a peak. Once resistance becomes futile, it is time to call it a session or get a longer board.