Here is a picture that shows a boat that could hit the waves pretty square. i wonder if the wind was dead onshore? there are shots of guys on port so maybe it was, or there were just some confused sailors.
A light boat should have an advantage getting thru surf. the main qualitys of a light boat are better acceleration, and less drag in moderate conditions.

[img]http://www.photoos.net/cgi-bin/phts.sh/b/bevewphoto.p?bevec=rot05&besen=35&xmlac=nl&tpl=[tpl]&bphon=76958&stype=0[/img]