LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Winter is here in all its frigid blustery glory and with SO MUCH WEATHER Manhattan Beach Patch has put together a list of tips to help you surf your turf, safely.
Water temperature "is holding steady at 55-57 degrees," according to the Patch folks, and that means full-wetsuit and booties season. Air, water temperature and swell size can "sometimes be unpredictable despite official reports," and can not be taken for granted, notes the Patch.
Despite the obviousness of some of the tips, like, "Do not attempt surfing unless you can swim," their compilation has good advice for the newbie adventurer about finding the correct wetsuit, locating reef breaks, what to do if you get caught in a rip current, using the buddy system, surf etiquette, and how many days to wait after a significant rainfall as not to coat your body in hazardous bacterial runoff.