It’s been a wild run of waves for Southern California surfers.
The latest being a result of Hurricane Genevieve. And while countless surfers flocked to marquee spots like the cobblestone A-frame peaks of Lower Trestles, the chaos of The Wedge, or braved the crowds at Huntington Beach’s US Open of Surfing, Blair Conklin opted for something a little different. Something closer to home.
As Genevieve pushed massive ocean energy toward the coast, the three-time skimboarding world champion and soft-top surfing wizard stayed home in Laguna Beach and scored a beloved local novelty spot: the legendary Aliso Creek standing wave.
To his delight, the roaring torrent of water rushing out of the inland creek met the incoming ocean surge, causing the river wave to awaken and break multiple times throughout multiple swell events. As all that inland water continuously poured into the ocean, it also carved out a pristine, perfectly aligned sandbar just beyond the shorebreak.
After getting his fill of gliding across the endless standing wave, Conklin and his crew paddled out into the ocean to score peaky perfection and hollow, spitting shorebreak tubes right off the sand.
Related: Category 5 Monster: Hurricane Genevieve to Blast Southern California with Massive Surf
Reflecting on the memorable session and the raw, destructive force of the storm, Conklin wrote:
“Hurricane Genevieve did not disappoint in Laguna Beach. Easily the most powerful hurricane swell we have seen so far this summer. With all the amazing waves we also had quite a bit of coastal erosion and flooding. There were even cars getting stuck in the parking lot because of how much sand had been washed up in to it.”
For now, the Pacific has taken a breather; but it will most certainly come roaring back to life once (or twice) again before the summer season is over.
And perhaps that’s a welcome reprieve for some. Amidst the extraordinary run of surf and viral novelty sessions, the heavy ocean swell brought severe danger to the coast. On the other side of town at Crescent Bay, a 24-year-old swimmer tragically drowned after getting caught in the chaotic shorebreak and rip currents.
The heartbreaking loss serves as a somber reminder of the ocean’s unpredictable power during extreme summer storms. As big swells continue to batter the coastline, we urge beachgoers to stay safe, know their limits, and always listen to lifeguards.
Never mess with Mother Nature; she’ll always win.
Related: Tragic Drowning at Crescent Bay: 24-Year-Old Swimmer Dies in Laguna Beach
Original Post from this site