Big Waves Trigger High Surf Warning Across Central Coast

UPDATE: January 18th, 2018 7:30pm
Surfers hit different parts of Santa Cruz County Thursday to check out the waves. The high surf has prompted an advisory throughout the Central Coast that will last through Friday.

Swells are expected to range from 17 to 20 feet high.

Harry Bryant, a big wave surfer from Austrailia says he flew in last night for the surf and was not disappointed, “It was really really crazy..like insane ocean conditions.”

Bryant says he trains all year for condition like these, but no training can stop the ocean from breaking a surf board now and then. “It happens from time to time, it’s just equipment. But when the ocean is
powerful it’s out of your hands, there’s not much you can do.”

Surfers from the Santa Cruz area say these conditions don’t come often and when they do you have to jump at the opportunity.

“Probably one of the bigger ones in a couple years and a lot of current, really huge waves,” says surfer Darryl Virostkl.

Matt Nauman, another surfer from Santa Cruz says he paddled out at 38th Avenue and ended up in Capitola 45 minutes later. “It’s definitely exciting every time it comes, you have to take advantage of
it,” says Nauman.

And while surfers take advantage of the waves, emergency officials are keeping busy. As of 5 oclock, lifegaurds tell KION there were 6 surfer rescues along the Santa Cruz Coast.

State Parks Lifegaurd supervisor Eddie Rhee-Pizano says underestimating the currents is one of the biggest mistakes someone can make. “They underestimate the power of the ocean. They get out in the water, they jump off the rocks and into the water and don’t realize how strong the current is, especially if the tide is coming up you can easily get swept down current away from the area you intending to go. You have to have a backup plan on how to get out of the water if the surf is this big,” says Rhee-Pizano.

Rhee-Pizano says it’s not just people in the water that need to be careful, “”You never wanna be down by the waters edge whether it’s on the rock or the beach when the tide is coming up. And today through this weekend we have a high tide right in the middle of the day so it’s really critical in the morning that you’re really careful to stay high and dry.”

As a safety precaution, some surf shops like Freeline on 41st Avenue in Capitola do not rent out surf equipment when the conditions are this dangerous. “It’s putting the customer in harms way. And most likely if they paddle out at the point, they’ll end up in Capitola,” says Freeline manager Wayne Kenny.

The high surf also resulted in some closures today. The Capitola Wharf was closed for a majority of the day with waves sweeping over the wharf. East Cliff Drive in between 21st and 22nd Avenues was also closed after high tide carried over the roadway.

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Massive waves across the Central Coast have prompted a high surf warning for Wednesday night through Friday.

Swells are expected to range from 17 to 20 feet high.

Extreme wave run up is expected with these waves with long lulls in between wave sets, which will increase the risk of being washed into the sea by a wave.

State Park lifeguards said they’ve already responded to several water rescues.

Part of East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz was closed due to flooding from high surf.

In Monterey County, Pacific Grove PD said Ocean View Blvd between Asilomar Blvd. and Lighthouse Extension was closed to all traffic. Asilomar Beach was also closed.

“We urge everyone to use caution along the oceanfront, remember to never turn your back on the ocean, be conscious of the fact that waves can come up and over the roadway,” said Pacific Grove Police.

PGPD said one child was hit and knocked down by a rogue wave Thursday.

The National Weather Service said, “These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable.”

Beachgoers need to remember to never turn their back to the ocean.

KION’s Ashley Keehn will have more on what first responders are doing to keep beachgoers safe during the high surf warning.