Visualize waves packed full of ener

Visualize waves packed full of energy by an intense oceanic storm. The energy-packed waves may carry their intensity for thousands of miles before rearing up and dumping it on the shoreline. What better system to absorb this wave energy than a sandy beach? The waves kick around grains, knocking them every which way, but what is the harm? Sand provides an innocuous way to absorb the ocean's fury. But in winter, the sand is reduced or gone from many beaches. What absorbs the energetic attack of the bigger winter waves? Sea cliffs, houses, roads, or whatever is on the coastline