More swell but also more wind and rain

Greetings Earthlings!  Well, we’ve got plenty of swell but the big wind swell and gusty winds on top of it are making a giant mess of things.  There’s another good sized WNW swell filling in right now (Tues PM) but there’s also another storm front making its way down the coast with more showers and plenty of wind with it.  Look for surf to hit the HH range tomorrow (Wednesday) and slightly bigger further south but it probably won’t be too surfable with 20mph west winds blowing.  Your best bet will probably be in the morning when the winds will be the calmest.  Surf will drop off Thursday with lingering wind chop keeping things messy and lumpy.  The cleanest day of the work week will be Friday but surf will be in the waist high range. Smaller but clean surf for Saturday in the thigh/waist high range with a new WNW groundswell filling in late in the afternoon.  That should really be noticeable Sunday morning with surf picking up into the chest high range for the morning session and peaking in the HH+ range late in the afternoon/evening.  It looks like there are still more storms on the way up in the North Pacific.  The Jet Stream isn’t letting them sit in our window for very long before pushing them up north and out of the “sweet spot” for SoCal swell but we’ll still get some surf regardless. 

The rain and wind we’ve had have made a big ol’ mess of things and conditions won’t be any more desirable tomorrow. Your best bet is early in the day.  With calmer winds overnight the seas might just chill out enough to allow for some surfable shoulders for the morning sesh.  By late morning it looks like winds will kick up and turn things to a tumultuous bowl of wind chop soup. YUCK! We’re also looking at late afternoon showers into Thursday but then some warming and NE winds late Thurs and into Fri.  Mother Nature just can’t figure out what she wants…winter, summer, winter, summer.  Air temps will be the warmest Thurs/Fri (high 60s) with mid-60s for the weekend but sunny skies and light S winds.  Water is amazingly still decently warm for all the mixing and wind we’ve had…high 50s and maybe even a 60 degree reading here and there.  We’re starting to see slightly more extreme tides as we approach the New Moon.  Big highs in the pre-dawn hours (hopefully you’re sound asleep) and a drained out tide late morning and into the midday hours over the next few days.

Whoa…way too many words…bottom line…rainy and windy through Thursday morning.  Winds turn NE and the sun comes out for the end of the week with some fun sizable surf for Sunday.

Go get some work done and dry out that suit!

Mish

Ocean Notes:

1)       With winter finally truly upon us (now that it’s February!) some of you might be sporting the winter sniffles or have that lingering cough…especially if you’re surfing in some of the poopy water out there. Well, if you’re looking for something to do on one of these cold blustery days how about making a batch of your own herbal cough drops!  Yup, it’s easy!  Here’s…cough cough…how… http://www.herbcompanion.com/herbal-living/herbal-cough-drops.aspx

2)      With all of the poopy water running into the stormdrains and into your lineup (and your sinuses) you might want to check out CoastKeeper’s beach status website before paddling out.  Watch out for those stormdrains and lagoon/river mouths… YUCKO!  http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/learn/san-diegos-waters/coastal-water.html

3)      If you’re thinking about heading to the mountains to do some camping but don’t have the big SUV or RV of your dreams then maybe you can just get this little outfit for the back of your Outback Sport!  This little number from Switzerland is quite an innovation…and for a mere $9400 you can have the coolest campground in CA!  http://manneli.com/movies/tech/Swiss-RoomBox.html

4)      If driving to Trestles is way too far for you to drive for a surf session then perhaps Morocco is a little out of your way but after seeing this video you might just think twice…think Rincon with camels on the beach.  http://www.surfline.com/video/featured-clips/journey-to-morocco_66675

5)      Speaking of travel…here’s a cool site I found recently…parking reservations at airports…REALLY?  Yup, search for parking lots and get cheaper rates when you pre-pay or even just make the reservation.  Reviews too!  Worked well for LAX offsite parking!  http://www.airportparkingreservations.com/

6)      Catch some killer waves last week?  So did a slew of others…check out these sick puppies!  Even my beloved Secret Spot makes an appearance!  http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/showcasing-last-weeks-swell-up-and-down-the-west-coast_66989/

Tides for La Jolla (Scripps Institution Wharf) starting with February 14, 2012.

www.saltwatertides.com

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon

           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Tu  14     High   1:43 AM     4.9   6:34 AM    Rise 12:17 AM      59

    14      Low   9:12 AM     0.6   5:33 PM     Set 10:50 AM

    14     High   3:34 PM     2.6

    14      Low   7:53 PM     2.1

W   15     High   3:03 AM     4.9   6:33 AM    Rise  1:21 AM      48

    15      Low  10:46 AM     0.2   5:34 PM     Set 11:44 AM

    15     High   5:38 PM     2.9

    15      Low   9:39 PM     2.3

Th  16     High   4:23 AM     5.1   6:32 AM    Rise  2:21 AM      37

    16      Low  11:54 AM    -0.3   5:35 PM     Set 12:42 PM

    16     High   6:40 PM     3.3

    16      Low  11:07 PM     2.1

F   17     High   5:31 AM     5.3   6:31 AM    Rise  3:16 AM      26

    17      Low  12:43 PM    -0.8   5:36 PM     Set  1:43 PM

    17     High   7:20 PM     3.7

Wave Faves

Another couple pics from my favorite file...January 30, 2010...Cardiff

Dale Dobson doing what he does best...catching the big ones from the outside.

 Unknown Ripper

Gordon Hanson sweeping away the cobwebs

Ewwww, rain and gusty winds mixed in with our swell.

Ahoy there SoCal!  Been away for a long weekend so just getting back into the groove of the ocean but WHOA…we’re having a little change of pace here eh?  Clouds…south winds and a chance of showers?  There’s actually some decent swell in the water but the south winds are making a mess of it.  We’re looking at the backside of the lat WNW swell…some shoulder/HH surf Monday morning but the next storm front will be making it’s way to town mid-morning and it looks like the south and west winds will be around for the first part of the week and pretty gusty over the next few days.  That being said we have a few swells still in our window. We’re looking at NW swells with more angle on them compared to the previous weeks of surf.  Look for some more HH+ surf for Valentine’s Day (Tuesday) with surf peaking late afternoon and dropping off through the day Wed to about waist/chest high.  The next series of short WN swells will roll through Thurs/Fri with waist high surf and then some slightly juicier surf for the second half of Sat as a NW swell starts to build midday and peaks early Sunday with some shoulder/HH surf.  It still looks like some decent storms brewing over by Japan so fear not…winter swells are still on the way!

The weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse.  Yes, that dreaded WINTER WEATHER!  The Jet Stream has shifted and now, instead of arching up and over CA the Jet Stream is taking aim and landing smack dab in our laps!  Yep, we’re looking at a pretty cold front for Monday with scattered rain showers all day and through Tuesday.  More showers possible Wed and then again Sun.  In between we’re looking at partial sunshine along the coast but certainly some cooler air temps (low 60s) with Thurs/Fri being the warmest of the week.   The bummer part is the gusty S and W winds over the next few days.  Winds should calm down after Wednesday’s weather front moves through.  Water temps still in the high 50s and we’re seeing some mild water movement for the first part of the day with the evening sessions still seeing a moderate tide swing late into the night.  Nothing too hairy though and the late tide swing should provide a nice push for some fun waves.

Stay warm…hope everyone has a nice warm suit and plenty of rubber to keep them warm!  And of course, don’t forget…don’t surf in POO!

Later!

Mish

Ocean Notes:

1)       Ok, we’ve all heard about climate change but now this is getting serious…climate change could seriously affect chocolate production!  Yes, it’s time to do something…before chocolate production ceases as we know it and we all perish!  Or just start eating salty chips.  Read on… http://www.latimes.com/news/local/environment/la-me-gs-valentines-day-destroyed-by-climate-change-20120210,0,6234196.story

 

2)      If you’re running a little behind on your V-Day gift shopping here are some GREEN ideas for that last minute shopping.  http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/gift-guides/10-great-green-gifts-for-valentines-day/

 

3)      Brazil’s got some pretty hot…um, rippin’ surfers.  Check out these pics from the Hang Loose Pro…YOWZA!  http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/hang-loose-pro-full-story_66952/

 

4)      Surf porn it is!  Nothing but the best…this in from last week’s gorgeous session at Mavs.  Big and beautiful!  http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/mavericks-swell-photos_66889/

5)      And speaking of Mavs…they’re making a Jay Moriarty movie and what does it look like when they make a movie at Mavs?  Looks like chaos to me!  You decide!  Especially when all of the cast has to go surf before they shoot cause it’s just so darn good and glassy! http://www.mavsurfer.com/mav_news/?p=178

Tides for La Jolla (Scripps Institution Wharf) starting with February 13, 2012.

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/californiasites.html

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon

           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

M   13     High  12:38 AM     5.0   6:34 AM     Set 10:02 AM      70

    13      Low   7:34 AM     0.8   5:32 PM

    13     High   1:32 PM     2.9

    13      Low   6:37 PM     1.6

Tu  14     High   1:43 AM     4.9   6:34 AM    Rise 12:17 AM      59

    14      Low   9:12 AM     0.6   5:33 PM     Set 10:50 AM

    14     High   3:34 PM     2.6

    14      Low   7:53 PM     2.1

W   15     High   3:03 AM     4.9   6:33 AM    Rise  1:21 AM      48

    15      Low  10:46 AM     0.2   5:34 PM     Set 11:44 AM

    15     High   5:38 PM     2.9

    15      Low   9:39 PM     2.3

Electric bike RV...with surf racks!

Check out this innovative surf mobile!  It's doesn't exactly have seat heaters for those chilly winter dawn patrols but it's a great green way to hit the surf and keep all your goodies safe.  Heck, you can even take a nice long nap after your session and a big breakfast burrito!

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/electric-bike-rv-tiny-house-wheels.html

Surf check!

You're never too young or too old to appreciate a good surf check...Yup, still pumpin'.

Wave faves

In my spare time (insert hysterical laughing here) I also like to take shots of the ocean and my buddies surfing.  I"ll be posting a photo or two every now and then of some of my favorites.

While I was pregnant two winters ago San Diego happen to have some of it's most epic surf EVER!  With a bun in the oven I was left perched on the beach with my Nikon D90 and a 600mm lens. Here's a few from a break I like to call Secret Spot.

Conrad Baumgartner slicing a nice bottom turn

Devon Howard about to pull 

Devon a few waves later...SHACKED!

And a nice group photo from a busy day at the Secret Spot...Ok, everyone, gather around and say "Cheese!"

February 8, 2012 Swell day for surf!

Hey ho San Diego! The swells are marching in! Today we saw a mix of left over NW wind swell, a dash of SW swell and a heaping teaspoon of WNW groundswell. Surf jumped up into the OH+ range and we’re going to be seeing more of it through the week and well into the weekend and next week. I’m not going to go into as much detail as last time but pretty much we’re looking at one HH-OH+ swell after another for the next week with just a hint of foul weather for Saturday. For tomorrow we’ll see mostly OH+ surf and gorgeous conditions as the next swell moves in. Then we have a slightly smaller WNW swell for Friday with surf ONLY in the HH/OH range. That dips Saturday when we’ll see HH+ surf but some S winds and a bit of wind swell. Sunday we’re back in business with another whopper of a swell with size back into the OH++ range. That will peak Sun and then fade quickly into Monday with HH+ surf. The next groundswell after that shows up for Valentine’s Day with smaller HH+ surf. There is another pretty decent looking swell developing over off Japan that might just deliver another butt kicker towards the end of next week. Just like the past few swells these swell will be mostly out of the WNW so many of the beach breaks will be lined up and potentially closed out on the bigger sets. Have fun and be careful!

And the best part of all this is that the Jet Stream is sending all of the storms north after they slide down into our swell window for a bit. That means sunshine sunshine and more sunshine. We’re looking at a beautiful day tomorrow in the low 70s and then a slight cooling trend as we head into the mid/low 60s for the weekend. Late Fri and thru Saturday we’ll see some SW winds and a slight chance of sprinkles. Lingering clouds for Sun and Mon but partly cloudy also means partly sunny right? Sunshine for the rest of the week. We’re still seeing some mega high and low tides so be wary of the big tide swings as they’re make or break your session if you don’t have the right board. Water’s still chillin in the mid-50s!

Get your fill while it’s here! Surf your brains out!

Mish

Ocean Notes:

1) Well, this is a just another cool video of one of the many creatures we share the ocean with. It’s a time lapse video of a coral inflating itself in order to throw sand off and prevent it from getting buried alive! Pretty cool stuff. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16843053

2) Well, Europe isn’t necessarily on everyone’s Top 10 destination list for surf but after seeing this photo essay from Portugal it might bump up a notch or two…or three. http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/best-bet-february-portugal_66478/

3) Now here’s something we can all participate in…this woman is collecting trash at the beach for 20 minutes a day for 365 consecutive days. She weighs and documents the trash. To date…252 days into it she has 938.5lbs of trash. You can join her and do the same thing…record it if you want…send her your results or just throw the junk away and get it off the beach! Very cool! http://www.thedailyocean.blogspot.com/

4) Speaking of trash…this is about as beautiful as ocean going trash will ever be…it’s just sad that there has to be so darn much of the stuff. http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/18984/ocean-trash-photo-collages-by-mandy-barker.html

5) Looking for a little something green to give that special someone for Valentines Day? Look no further! http://www.buygreen.com/

6) Need something to do Saturday evening? Why not check out the San Diego premiere of the documentary “Splinter”. It’s the story of how surfing was introduced to Papua New Guinea in the 80s. Check it out from 6:30-8:30p at Birds Surf Shed (a killer venue I might add). http://sandiego.surfrider.org/splinters-is-coming-to-san-diego

7) Ever dropped in behind a good friend and shared a wave together? Well, this is about the gnarliest wave that you’re ever going to want to try that stunt on…Shipsterns! http://www.surfline.com/surflinetv/sixty-seconds/60-seconds-hipwood-and-mathews_66704

Tides for La Jolla (Scripps Institution Wharf) starting with February 8, 2012. http://www.saltwatertides.com/cgi-local/california.cgi

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon

           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

W    8      Low   2:49 AM     0.9   6:39 AM     Set  6:51 AM      99

     8     High   8:59 AM     5.9   5:28 PM    Rise  6:45 PM

     8      Low   3:34 PM    -1.0

     8     High   9:55 PM     4.7

Th   9      Low   3:31 AM     0.7   6:38 AM     Set  7:27 AM      98

     9     High   9:39 AM     5.6   5:29 PM    Rise  7:51 PM

     9      Low   4:05 PM    -0.7

     9     High  10:29 PM     4.9

F   10      Low   4:18 AM     0.6   6:37 AM     Set  8:03 AM      95

    10     High  10:22 AM     5.1   5:29 PM    Rise  8:57 PM

    10      Low   4:38 PM    -0.3

    10     High  11:06 PM     5.0

Sa  11      Low   5:11 AM     0.6   6:36 AM     Set  8:40 AM      88

    11     High  11:10 AM     4.4   5:30 PM    Rise 10:03 PM

    11      Low   5:12 PM     0.3

    11     High  11:48 PM     5.1