Page 423 - California Diving and Surfing

HUNTINGTON STATE BEACH: crowds are usually not a problem rights all along here in W & NW
Huntington State Beach is a con- unless it’s a weekend. The only down- swells. Intermediate to Advanced
stantly evolving mix of sand, tides, side to surfing here is high bacteria BLACKIES: Blackies is a classic set
swell, & wind. Best surfed early in the levels from the river’s run-off & of peaks located immediately north
morning, most people who surf here sewage plant leakage. Don’t surf here of the Newport Pier. Watch out for
tend to congregate where the streets after it rains. Rating: Intermediate. heavy crowds and aggressive tactics
such as Brookhurst, Magnolia, New- 56TH STREET: Depending on the if a clean, W or NW swell is in town.
land & Beach dead-end into Pacific swell direction 56th Street jetty can Rating: Intermediate.
Coast Hwy. Any stretch of this beach produce world-class lefts or rights. A NEWPORT PIER: Touristy beach-
can get good, but in general, if it’s a strong, S swell will spin off a long left break. Watch out for fishing lines.
S or SW swell head to the S end of wall that throws squarely on take-off. Rating: Intermediate.
the beach; if it’s a west or NW swell, On the other hand, a solid, W swell 15TH STREET: Most of the year
head north. Crowds here are low-key will spit out an incredible series of 15th Street is a worthless close-out;
and you shouldn’t have any problems. top to bottom rights directly in front but, throw in a short period W swell
Blackballing is from June 15 to Sept. of 56th Street and 54th Street. Boady- over 6’, add some offshore winds to
15, 11a.m. to 5 p.m. Rating: Interme- boarders take over when the black- hold it up, & suddenly 15th Street
diate ball flag is raised. Rating: Advanced. turns into one of the best right hand
SANTA ANA RIVER JETTIES: The NEWPORT JETTIES: Lots of good barrels on the coast. Closely guarded
waves here are often hollow because bodyboarding as well as surfing at by Newport’s elite when it’s breaking
of the sand build-up at the mouth any of these jetties. Between 40th properly. Bodyboarders like it here
of the Santa Ana River. With a slight and 44th is for bodyboarding only. too, especially when the black ball
offshore wind & any swell over three Although the most consistent break flag keeps the surfers out after 11am.
feet the “River Jetties” are one of the is up around 52nd to 56th St., any of Crowded & advanced
premier-shaped waves in Orange these spots can be fun, especially in
County. Spread out over a large dis- a big Baja hurricane S swell. Good
tance & into several distinct peaks,