El Niño Don't Play! Snaps from the Janurary 29, 2016 Swell

Danny documenting.  Check out his snaps at OceanFreshPhoto on instagram. 

The waves during the end of this week and on into Saturday were perfectly big for San Diego beaches.  There was a good mix of it too, filling in both the reefs and beaches with plenty of waves and remarkably minimal lulls.  As I post this, 60 knot winds are trying to tear down the palm trees in front of my window.  Luckily, I was able to get in some good waves and pictures yesterday and the day before.

First Spot, Friday 1.29.2016

Pulled up and saw O.G. Eric dressing up on the sidewalk.  He got it good before it got a bit unruly.  The swell appeared to be picking up steam every half hour.  I decided to snap a few before driving to my favorite when it gets big.

When you see this wave breaking, you know you it has surpassed the "it's about to get real stage".

 

Second spot, Friday 1.29.2016. 

I drove by the vista and saw it perfectly breaking a California 10 feet plus.  I got out of my car, put on my gear and paddled out on my JS.  It took me two attempts to paddle out before I got some advice from an old timer standing at the life guard tower who watched me get washed way too south on my first attempt. I stayed out long enough to dodge a couple stacked sets, catch three waves (two being mighty fine grinders) before getting washed in on what I consider a "mega" set. 

Lots of calling out "Going right!" in the lineup during sets.  Guess the first guy was deaf. 

Tudor held a clinic on this day. 

Tudor on another.

Tudor on a turn.

Tudor banking high.

Lucky guy.

That moment where you hope it doesn't explode in the impact zone because the paddle back is going to suck.

There were a lot of great "inbetween'ers" if you had the ability to hold your ground on the bigger sets.  

Another great inbetween'er.  

Peanut Gallery.  Well worth the $10 to park and watch. 

Third Spot, Friday 1.29.2016. 

The swell was maxing out, and to be honest, way beyond this proletariat's ability. But I had my camera, and that's the second best thing to do when it gets too big.  I watched the waves and sun go down with a Florida mate.  He was only down for  a week and this was way beyond him too.  We watched the current sweep south, and a couple guys paddling out with it. He was still pretty happy to watch the A+ crew do their thing.  And there were a lot of "makes" when we were spectating.  Pretty amazing considering the unruly conditions of the swell and the degree of difficulty to make it happen.

Props to this guy charging.  You get more respect for the wipe outs than the makes sometimes. 

The Rail Birds.

 Saturday, 1.20.2016.

Me and Danny decided to take some snaps at our local beach break.   Danny showed me a couple nooks.  Beautiful views and lots of mud on the trail.  The mud got us, but we came out with some awesome captures anyway.

Check out this sequence:

I saw him get covered for about four seconds...

Then his board showed up...

Made.

Shakas to El Niño for sending us yet another damn good swell!