Original forecast was for 5-to-7 feet at 14 seconds but reality was at about 2 feet less. With tide as high as it was there was no decent surfing at Cabrillo. The rocky SW boundary of Cabrillo had a few nice waves, but the swell direction and small size made the fine line between a good ride and a precarious trip over the reefs a very-very fine line.

As we moved west toward pt Fermin there were some promising sets, but nothing either consistent or safe enough to spend a few hours on. Even after rounding Pt Fermin the break at Pt Fermin Park looked dismal. We solemnly paddled there anyway, hoping it would be better than it looked from a distance.

Anything under 3 feet wasn't really useable in that much water. There were a few 6 footers, but they closed out obnoxiously. With tide so high it took a while to find the takeoff points and get the rhythm of the swell, but once we did it was fairly continuous action in 3-to-5 foot waves. The rides weren't long, but they were fun and somewhat challenging. They were actually holding up very well and several times the edge of my boat hung precariously onto a steep wave face to a degree that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Everyone had the same experience, slicing aggressively across the face and escaping before it closed out. We also got manhandled occasionally and side, back, and whichever way surfed all the way into the rocky shore. Typically each wave had a right and a left, and there are at least three different breaks in that small area. Usually it was one or two boats to a wave (half), but we definitely had some party waves. There were a few combat rolls, but no swimming, and a little "boat kissing", but no collisions.

Normally I would have stayed till my arms fell off, but I had to leave at about noon for family commitments. The surfing was still going strong so it was extremely hard to paddle away. Duane was on a schedule as well, so he left with me. After getting back I loaded, got changed, and drove to the bluff overlooking the surf spot. I could just see George Rounding Pt Fermin to head back, but Ann, Hugh, Jack, and Mark were still going at it.

Even watching was fun, but after a few minutes I tore myself from the railing and drove away.

    Steve Brown>