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If you happen to live anywhere between Santa Cruz and San Diego, you probably missed a couple of meetings / courses / dates in the past week. Perhaps you made a few Zoom calls from the parking lot in your wetsuit. (“Sorry, my camera is off, I have internet problems!”) And for good reason: There were waves almost everywhere. As in, really good waves. As in “Oh, yeah: That’s why I started surfing” kind of waves.
Orange County, Wednesday. Photo: Robb Wilson
And we not only know that firsthand (here to you, forecast team!), But also from the sheer volume of submissions from various photographers and videographers along the coast. So much so that we actually had to split the Swell story into two parts, which rarely, if ever, happened with Surigible. This is only Orange County and San Diego. Next up? LA North.
Nick Melanson. Photo: Jeremiah Klein
We pinged Surglich Lead Forecaster – and Combo Swell Aficionado – Schaler Perry to find out more. “There’s a reason California surfers love October and it’s called Combo Swell. If the conditions are good – typical for this time of year – you can start the races. Why do we love combo swells? They are shapely and open up options that people spread. “
Josh Kerr. Photo: Billy Watts
Perry continues, “This wasn’t a normal combination, however. These types of events are rare, largely because of the record-breaking low pressure that exploded to 942.5 millibars on a stretch across the Gulf of Alaska. While the strongest swell was a little north for Southern California to be massive, it was just right for cranking waves north of Point Conception. In the South Pacific, things continued as usual this summer – a large area with low pressure plows in the central South Pacific, flanked by robust high pressure in the northwest. The result is an impressive pressure gradient of almost 100 MB, which drives winds of more than 45 knots and a swell to 35 feet. “
Maddie Miller. Photo: Chris Grant
“Unfortunately, most of the swell coincided with most of Northern California and parts of SoCal with less favorable conditions,” says Perry. “But as the solid WNW swell subsided and the respectable SSW swell lasted through the middle of the week, large swaths of the California coast turned golden and high pressure drifted over the southern half of the state while things remained a bit woolly further north. Light offshore mornings and manageable to glassy afternoons in Southern California and – to some extent – more manageable size north of Point Conception along the Central Coast in Santa Cruz. A small amplifying boost from the NW swell will even continue the show into the weekend as some small new swell shows from the southern hemisphere are showing. “
Newport Beach. Photo: Tom Cozad
And yes: Happy Halloween. Emma Stone. Photo: Chris Grant
View: Orange County Forecast
Back when kids had notebooks rather than Chromebooks, this type of doodle was drawn. Photo: Jared Brown
Few places like Combo swell more than Orange County. Its often shapeless beach breaks are transformed into countless tipis of miles of sand. Hit the top for two minutes on play from one of the better sessions that took place on Wednesday with the likes of Luke Davis, Nate Yeomans, Kevin Schulz, and others. Vid: Nathan Baker
Ryan Napier, Surf City Bottom Curve. Photo: Peter Brouillet
San Diego County. Photo: Aaron Chang
Raiki Nishida. Photo: Chris Grant
Jojo Roper spent the first part of the week tackling woolly mavericks and then headed back to San Diego to tackle a smaller, more manicured version of the same swell. Vid: Michael Kenny
Oceanside is committed to Surf City. Photo: Billy Watts
Orange County. Photo: JP Van Swae
The crazy thing about combo swells – and the Pacific Ocean in general – is the sheer volume of the unbroken waves. For example: if this were a wave pool, it would have had some kind of price tag attached to it. But does combo swell? There’s someone behind it. Free-fifty-free. Photo: Rob Gilley
Speaking of oceanside and combo swells … here are some highlights from Wednesday with Pete and Kepa Mendia and friends. Vid: Chris Gabriel
“During that final swell, I got lucky in a session at home with beautiful morning light, offshore wind and a fun mix of combo swell,” Gunner Day said above. “Fall is my favorite season here in California. Definitely the best season for offshore winds and fun peaks. It’s always nice to get those little crisscrossed waves. That being said, I think this last one had some of the better moments because of the combination of storm and wind. ”Photo: Jeremiah Klein
This may or may not be an AirBnb ad for Newport Beach. Photo: Pat Nolan
Mason Ho is not currently in Hawaii. Mason Ho is going goofy in Orange County right now. And I don’t mind. Photo: Robb Wilson
Sierra Kerr. Photo: Billy Watts
Josh Kerr, San Diego. Video: Billy Watts
Nic Lyon. Photo: Sean Evans
“The last few days were the classic autumn conditions for Newport and to have some swell today was epic!” Said Tyler Gunter. “Definitely a needle in a haystack, but once you’ve found one, it’s worth it.” Photo: Zyyler
Comboland, in one photo. “The best day for me was Wednesday morning,” said longtime Surfline photographer Jeremiah Klein. “The swell was constant and the fresh, sunny offshore morning made it ideal for shooting. Fall is the best time of year for California as it consistently has the best weather with good waves. If I had to pick one season to surf in Cali it would be fall. What’s not to love about offshore wind, glassy pipes, pumpkin-flavored lattes and beachbreak combo swells? ”(Editor’s note: We’re still not sure if there’s pumpkin flavored, but hey.) Photo : Jeremiah Klein
Plus, you didn’t have to be a surf star to get hacked this week. All you have to do is choose the right one, set the right line and go straight. Photo: Robb Wilson
(Insert unicorn emoji here.) North Orange County. Photo: Chad Wells
Breakfast menu by the sea. Photo: Billy Watts
SPAC: October 26, 2021
STORM LOCATION / MOVEMENT: Strong low pressure to the east over the central South Pacific, flanked by robust high pressure in the northwest 16-19. October
STRONGEST STORM WIND / SEA: Extended range of 35-45 knots of wind with a respectable pocket that reaches 50 knots. Measured seas to 35 feet
PEAK STORM INTENSITY: Low of 949 MB, flanked by a 1040 MB high on October 18th
THRESHOLD TIME: 8-9 days
THRESHOLD PEAK: 3 foot deep water swell in 15-16 seconds from SSW (195-180) on Tuesday, October 26th
NPAC: October 25, 2021
STORM LOCATION / MOVEMENT: Record low pressure east across the Gulf of Alaska to the Pacific Northwest from October 23-24
STRONGEST STORM WIND / SEA: Large expanse of 35-45 knots of wind with a respectable pocket that reaches 50-55 knots +. Measured seas up to 40 feet (36.8 feet swell at 16 seconds on the SE Papa buoy)
PEAK STORM INTENSITY: Low of 942.5 MB on October 24th
THRESHOLD TRAVEL TIME: 1-2 days
THRESHOLD PEAK: Record setting (for October) 24.6 feet in 19 seconds from WNW (295) on Half Moon Bay buoy, taken on Monday October 25th
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