High surf means fewer customers for rental businesses

With a high surf warning in effect most of the day on Monday, many on the Central Coast decided to stay out of the water.

For water recreation businesses, that means no customers. But one rental company in Pacific Grove says they get along in different ways.

“High surf advisory for me personally means that it’s going to be a good surf day,” said Matt Garcia, a Santa Cruz resident who surfs.

With a powerful west to northwest swell, some breakers were forecast to reach over 50 feet high.

“When the swells are like this as you can see, it’s just obvious not to put someone in the water,” said Frank Knight, the owner of Adventures by the Sea at Lover’s Point.

Knight’s business rents out kayaks, paddle and boogie boards, snorkles and give lessons. But whether he can do all that each day, largely depends on fair winds and seas.

“It’d be great if you could put people in the water all the time, but it’s winter time,” said Knight. “This is what we expect. It comes with the territory for sure.”

“I mean, everyday, regardless of the activity whether you’re kayaking or surfing, you’re always assessing the ocean to determine if it’s going to be a safe time to perform that activity,” said Garcia.

But on days like these, Knight can still offer his bike rentals and tours. And swell do not often get this big.

“Maybe five to 15 times a year this size. But there’s days that are a little bit smaller, but basically you still can’t put people in the water,” said Knight.

He says the snack bars and restaurants usually fare better. People seem to just love watching the waves crash against the rocks.

“Lover’s Point is really…is a great place to start your adventure, whether you’re biking or kayaking,” said Knight. “We have free parking across the street, we have the new cafe, we have the beach stand. It’s world class.”

People were warned on Monday to stay off the rocks, jetties and beaches as getting swept away is a real possibility and potentially life-threatening.