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High surf advisory means 'barrels' of fun in Seal Beach
Plenty of barrels and wipeouts in the days before Christmas on the south side of the Seal Beach pier.
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Courtesy of Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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Topline:
While lifeguards and forecasters are warning people to stay away from beaches in Southern California because of high surf, expert surfers are getting an early Christmas present at the Seal Beach pier.
What makes that spot special? A big swell coming from just the right direction brings steep, hollow waves to the south side of the Seal Beach pier, but only on rare winter days. And it's happening now. “This time of year, it usually breaks just like a couple days,” said Justin Kahn, who was on shore after surfing for hours. “So it’s pretty special when it happens.”
Experts-only conditions. Surfer magazine once described the conditions at Seal Beach pier when there’s a big swell as “back-breaking, madness.” Big barrels close to shore can pound surfers directly into the sand, which makes it very dangerous.
Photos: Surfers, bodyboarders flock to Seal Beach
The waters were thick with surfers Monday for a special reason: The surf south of the Seal Beach pier only breaks on special winter occasions.
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Courtesy of Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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Broken boards are not uncommon here.
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Courtesy of Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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Surfing Seal Beach pier
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Courtesy of Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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Getting barreled at Seal Beach pier on Dec. 23, 2024.
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Courtesy Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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The surf along the Southern California coast is expected to get bigger as Christmas approaches.
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Courtesy of Ana Rahlves
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LAist
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What's a 'barrel'? A barrel is when the wave curls into a tube that surfers can shoot through, surrounded by water. “ It's just like this vision that only certain people get in their life,” said Dylan Sloan, who was taking a short break in the parking lot Monday morning before heading back out to the water.
If you go … stay on shore with your camera unless you’re a very good surfer and familiar with the conditions. It’s supposed to get even bigger here through Christmas.
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