Surf Pix Added NOAA Surf Warning 7/23- 7/25

Glad I chcecked my email from Port district.  I scuttled my plans  (or postponed) for a client trip tomorrow due to this warning,.  Big South Swell. Safety, and fish don't bite.

Beach Hazards Statement

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area
117 PM PDT Mon Jul 23 2018

...Long period southerly swell today through Wednesday evening...

.A long period southerly swell is now arriving and will continue
to impact the Central Coast through Wednesday evening. This will
result in hazardous beach conditions due to increased risk of rip
currents and sneaker waves, particularly at south facing beaches
such as Santa Cruz and Stinson Beach. Swell heights and periods
are forecast to decrease Wednesday night.

CAZ006-505-509-529-530-241000-
/O.EXT.KMTR.BH.S.0005.000000T0000Z-180726T0600Z/
San Francisco-
Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore-
San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay-
Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast-
117 PM PDT Mon Jul 23 2018

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WAVES AND SURF...Southerly swell will increase to 4 feet late
  today with a period of 17 to 20 seconds. Breaking waves of 7 to
  9 feet will be possible at favored locations.

* HAZARDS...Increased risk of rip currents and sneaker waves,
  stronger longshore current at west facing beaches, and
  somewhat larger breaking waves at south facing coasts.

* TIMING...Forerunners will arrive this morning before swell
  heights increase late in the day and remain elevated through
  Wednesday evening.

* LOCATION...South facing beaches along the Central Coast from
  Sonoma County to Monterey County including but not limited to
  Stinson and Santa Cruz Beach.

* POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Increased risk of sneaker waves and rip
  currents at these beaches. Unsuspecting beach-goers may
  suddenly be pulled out to sea. Never turn your back to the
  ocean!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Beach Hazard Statement for rip currents means that conditions
are present to support a heightened risk of strong rip currents.
Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the
vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a
rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip
current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should always
swim near a lifeguard.

A Beach Hazard Statement for sneaker waves means that conditions
are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach
goers being swept into the sea by a wave. People walking along
the beach should never turn their back to the sea. Fisherman
should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties.

A Beach Hazard Statement for longshore currents means that
conditions are present to support strong currents which parallel
the coast. Strong longshore currents can quickly carry swimmers
down shore away from their original point of entry. Longshore
currents can feed into rip currents which may carry a swimmer
quickly out to sea. Swimmers caught in a longshore current should
swim towards shore for safety. In contrast, swimmers caught in a
rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip
current before trying to swim for shore. Always swim near a
lifeguard.

&&

Thank you, Bushy, for posting this.

There are many involved in this sport who don't necessarily know how to derive all of the important info from the forecasts.  When it comes to a south or SW swell on a long period, there is always a distinct possibility for deadly conditions developing around areas that are otherwise always safe in the usual north and NW swell.

This is no joke, and those who fail to fully embrace the info available about it are liable to experience disastrous consequences.

I told the cleint, this was his first lesson for kayak fishing...haha
thanks Eric.

Hidden beach 17th Ave, at 10am, then Harbor Mouth at 7pm with outrigger catching wave.

For size estimate, that cliff face on 17th is about 10 feet high.

Thanks for posting.  My truck was all loaded up to head out in the morning.

Glad I'm at work in those conditions. Thanks for the photos Alan.