Page 440 - California Diving and Surfing
P. 440
RAY BAY: Northernmost end of Seal SURFSIDE CLOUDBREAK: Low- SUNSET BEACH: Typical beach-
Bench, “Ray Bay” is warmed effluent latitude MW swells over 8’ produce break until a big W or SW swell hits,
power plants waters. It is generally a a cloudbreak along the jetty at the then it can turn anywhere along the
small, mushy beginner spot, but on a south end of Sea Beach. Optimal beach here: Rating: Intermediate.
gargantuan S or SW swell it turns on when the tide is low and the swell is
a yards rights with multiple sections between 8’ & 12’. A big wave board is
in dirty water. Beginner to Interme- necessary. Advanced.
diate. SURFSIDE: There are three named
SEAL BEACH PIER: Fickle beach- breaks at Surfside:
break good for tourists and body- 1. THE BOWL: is right next
boarders much of the summer, bit to the jetty. The more southerly the
really only gets good during the swell the better, as swells reflect off
winter. When everyone else is rejoic- the jetty and combine with the same
ing in overhead, Seal Beach is usually swell to produce one of the hollowest
knee-high and weak. However, with waves in Southern California.
a direct winter W swell and offshore 2. THE HOLE: which implies
winds it is possible to tap into pris- that it is a dredging, sand-filled barrel
tine barrels giving way to long, rippa- with infinite possibilities.
ble walls. The S side of the pier is the 3. ANDERSON: a nice beach-
better bodyboarding spot, while the break at Andersen Street (by the
N side is your best surfing bet. Best watch tower house). Rating Ad-
Season: Winter/Direction: W/Size” 2’ vanced.
– 6’/Tide: Medium/Wind: E/Bottom:
Sand, Stingrays. Rating: Intermedi-
ate/Daily Surf Report/Webcam.
