As a general rule I don't believe everything I read, most importantly when it come to the surf report. Here's a few examples. Yesterday I surf Torrance Beach from around six pm until sunset (8pm). Surfline.com posted the following surf report for Torrance Beach:
This was my first glance at the surf... Doesn't look that big, but then again it could've been in between sets....
Ok.. It's looking a bit bigger now... I'm pretty sure that it is not Ankle to waist high...
Still looks do-able but the sets never really let up to make it an easy paddle out.
More sets on the horizon...
The waves just kept coming. I got hit by a twenty wave set and got dragged all the way back to the beach... Yes, it was very humbling.
Observed Surf Report by Chris on 5-22-12
SURF:
1-2
ft
ankle
to knee high
POOR CONDITIONS
Hey,
this is Chris
with the report for Tuesday afternoon
Afternoon
Update; Some bump
on mushy little windswell peaks/sections.
This morning's dawn patrol: Clean little low tide crumbly
windswell peaks/sections. Tide push helps a bit.
WEATHER:
Sunny
skies with 7-11kt+ SW winds in the early afternoon.
Here's what I would've called it at Torrance Beach:
Observed Surf Report by Eric Cedeno on 5-22-12
SURF:
1-3/2-3 ft
ankle to shoulder high
POOR CONDITIONS
Hey, this is Eric with the report for Tuesday afternoon
Afternoon Update; It's glassy out so bring a hat if you have one. The High Tide push helps with the size, but also make the surf a little soft. Plenty of corners out there on the three main peaks, a bigger board will help.
WEATHER:
Sunny skies with hardly any wind in the late afternoon.
 |
| Eric Cedeno's 6'10" at Torrance Beach, Tuesday 5-22-12 |
Ok so that seems pretty close, all in all. There should be only minor complaints here and there...But let's take a look at one more for Torrance Beach...
Observed Surf Report by Chris on 5-23-12
SURF:
1-3
ft
ankle
to waist high
POOR CONDITIONS
Hey,
this is Chris
with the report for Wednesday afternoon
Afternoon
Update; Some bump
on mushy little windswell peaks/sections.
This morning's dawn patrol: Clean little low tide crumbly
windswell peaks/sections. Tide push helps a bit.
WEATHER:
Sunny
skies with 7-11kt+ SW winds in the early afternoon.
Here's what I would've called it at Torrance Beach:
Observed Surf Report by Eric Cedeno on 5-23-12
SURF:
(1-3 ft from the moon)
4-6 and Building
Head high to almost double overhead
POOR CONDITIONS
Hey, this is Eric with the report for Wednesday afternoon
Afternoon Update; The small waves are head high and the big waves are almost double that. Some bump and a little closed out with pick and choose corners. It's a building swell so use caution. Surf is very consistent and powerful.
WEATHER:
Sunny skies with 7-11kt+ SW winds in the early afternoon.
I know what you're thinking... "That Eric guy must be exaggerating, it can't be that big out." So for you non-believers out there... here are a few pictures from today.
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Torrance Beach Wednesday 5-23-12 |
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Torrance Beach Wednesday 5-23-12 |
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Torrance Beach Wednesday 5-23-12 |
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Torrance Beach Wednesday 5-23-12 |
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Torrance Beach Wednesday 5-23-12 |
 |
| Photo by Eric Cedeno Rat Point Wednesday 5-23-12 |
I ended up making the long walk from the Torrance Beach ramp down to Rat Point. No one was out and it was an even longer paddle out. The water was very murky and there were lots of sneaker sets looking to crush whatever was in its path. I managed to get three waves and decided not to push my luck and got out.
Maybe you can retire and do the surf report for the South Bay....
ReplyDelete