Torrance Beach
Yesterday (Friday August 24th) at about 5:30, Brad, Don, Vickie and I launched from Torrance
beach and headed south toward bluff cove for a little surfing. Surf was
1-to-4 feet at Torrance and about the same at the cove. Tide was falling so
we were able to catch a few decent waves at the cove.
For those that haven't been there, at low (or relatively low) tide, bluff
cove has several break areas and you can almost pick exactly the right surf
height for your skill level by choosing which break you ride. Breaks in the
cove dissipate into deeper water and then reform into smaller breaks, so at
the end of a ride you can turn out and paddle back out.
When we arrived there were already board surfers at two of the break areas,
so we chose one out of their way. Generally this cove is kayak friendly.
When we returned to Torrance the surf was about 1-to-6 feet, but mostly
about 2-to-3 feet. The few 6 footers were plunging waves caused by the
largest waves in a set, combined with the way the water was draining out
from the shoreline in front of it. I think this effect is caused by some
shoaling a little ways out from the shore. The biggest ones weren't really
rideable except for a brief moment of terror, and then you would be
violently side surfed until it let go of you.
Brad is a relatively new paddler and just bought his first boat, a Current
Designs Gulfstream. He seems to already be getting the knack for bracing and
side surfing. When we returned to Torrance I watched him backward surf
(accidentally) all the way in without an upset. I hate it when people are
naturals at doing what I had to struggle to learn!
We kept playing in the surf until it was too dark to continue.
Steve Brown
Submitted on August 25, 2001