Friday, September 10, 2010

California Big Wave Surfing – Riding Waves 70ft Golden State

February 7, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

California is home to a multitude of surf spots, including three points known big-wave surfers from around the world. All three produce dangerous waves breaking over 20 feet high. The big wave season usually runs from about October to March, although December through February is the peak. These breakpoints in all deep-water waves with great depth contours that rise abruptly so that all energy is stored until the wave breaks and the shells.

Mavericks

The best known of the California big-wave spots. This wave breaks cold water a mile off Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay, 25 miles south of San Francisco. It is primarily a right breaking wave over 20 feet, although the left may be navigated under 20 feet. It is virtually the only be navigated Jeff Clark from 1975 until 1990, when it finally became known in the world. It is now home to the annual Mavericks Surf Contest. Supposedly had seen waves of 100 feet per year for a huge surge last few hears, but no one sailed them. Waves have been documented here sailed nearly 70 feet high. The interior is a disgusting mess of rocks called "The Boneyard". Hawaiian big wave surfer Mark Foo died here in 1994.

Cortes Bank

This site is created by a chain of seamounts in the Pacific Ocean. It is about 100 miles west of San Diego and about 40 miles south-west of the island of San Clemente. It is the shallowest point is just 6 feet below the surface. These peaks are caused by breaking waves in huge waves. But first sailed in 1990, very large waves are not sailed until 2001 as part of "Project Nepture. Currently attracts a group of surfers each year, despite being only accessible by boat ride long. Documented biggest waves surfed here about 70 feet, although the theory that this area could produce 100-foot waves manageable.

Ghost Trees

This big wave surfing location is outside the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Course. This is a very picturesque area of 17 kilometers between the unit of Monterey and Caramel. The deep waters of Caramel Canyon near the west coast swell refracts long term. This creates waves of 4-5 times higher than the surrounding area. Nasty rocks inside. Only breaks when huge and only half a dozen times a year. Big wave surfer Peter Davi died surfing Ghost Trees in 2007. Personal watercraft used to tow surfers in the big waves were banned recently, which does most of trailer in the field only "illegal" in the largest such craft days if necessary.

Big wave surfing is extremely dangerous and the vast majority of surfers in California, never surf these spots. They are for dedicated, healthy surfers willing to take significant risks to the final bill. For the rest of us this is a spectator sport. These three points have put Golden State on the map of big waves. Your best chance to see one of these would likely be the Mavericks. The wave forecasting services Surfline big as you can tell if these big waves are combined with the right wind conditions to bring out the big wave riders. You want to bring your binoculars, as the waves break far. Ghost Trees is not broken so often, but can also be seen from land. Obviously, Cortes Bank can only be seen from a boat, so a TV or computer is as close as most of us will be achieved. Wave may be larger spots waiting to be discovered in the remote areas of northern California.

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