South Hemi Madness: California Swell Event

It's here. It's building.

The swell event everyone's been talking about.

An 18–21 second bullet train from the Southern Hemisphere has touched down in California. HB Pier Northside is already seeing dredged out tubes, California's favorite semi-pro influencers [@beachcowboy, is that you?] are revealing their teenage anxiousness, and the masses are ogling at the swell charts.

3.6ft at 21 seconds from SSW 197° at Lowers, with a secondary 2.7ft at 14 seconds from SSW 194°. Brother in Christ, 21 seconds? This is some quality deep-water energy and organized groundswell!

Hurricane Marie Part Deaux? Do less.

• From Blacks to San O.
• From Pipes to that localism magnet south of Pfeiffer Beach nobody [everybody] knows about.
• From the Point to Año — dare I say the name of a state park omnipresent in Ho and O'Brien edits.
• Sea to shining sea is coming in the form of south-specific magnets from a south-pacific niño; let's hope the side shores remain friendly.

Ah yes, and barrels.

Swells after a lull fill m'estomago with butterflies.

Do I drive far to hit the spot? Do I gamble at home? Should I bring a camera? Am I going to get any waves? Too many times have I misaligned surf expectations with my work schedule, my read on the swell, hell I'll admit it — with my own ability to surf. I once met Dane and Pupo [Sam] in the water at Supertubos, followed by 2 days of perfect standup barrels in Coxos. I wasn't anywhere near the Portuguese pecking order to get the right waves, and of the waves I did catch, I botched them all.

IF IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M PROJECTING, I AM.

This week is about the pursuit — and boy, we're not immune to failed pursuits. Embrace the hype, watch the footy, do your best to get out there. If you can't make the Surfline Cam Rewind of the day, will I judge you? Plausibly. But enjoy it nonetheless.

It's here.