GrokSurf's San Diego » Surfing

Friday spot check: Windansea

George J. Janczyn — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:57:59 +0000

There was some energy in a mixed swell this morning, but it was fading fast. By the time I took the last shot in this video, sets were a good 15 minutes apart. For awhile, though, it was pretty fun.

Filed under: Sports, Surfing, Water

Windansea and La Jolla Shores surfing Nov 6, 2010

George J. Janczyn — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 01:40:52 +0000

It’s been a good while since I made any surfing videos, so this morning I decided to go see what the dawn patrol was up to at Windansea. There was only one pair of surfers which was just about right because there were long lulls between sets and there were usually only three waves to a set. The tide was high and surf was breaking just feet away from the abrupt rocky rise at the shoreline. You’ll see a few rides that got pretty close.

Next I went to nearby La Jolla Shores. The waves were coming much more frequently than at Windansea, but they were smaller and gentler. The water was quite crowded, but I think everyone was having fun.

Okay, here’s the video. If you’re using a relatively modern desktop computer (not a mobile device), go ahead and set the video to 1080p and watch it full screen.

Filed under: Sports, Surfing Tagged: La Jolla Shores, Windansea

A nice weekend for the beach in San Diego

George J. Janczyn — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:46:06 +0000

With a long weekend beginning and warm sunny days in the forecast, a visit to the beach could be just the thing. Unfortunately there isn’t much of a swell for surfing, so a long board is probably called for. Whatever you do there, it should be quite enjoyable especially by noon after the haze burns off.

Here are a few beach area photos that I took during the past ten months, so I’ll show you ten beaches in all.

Getting some air at Big Rock in La Jolla near Windansea

A pair of surfers hiking up the canyon from Black's Beach

Looking toward the Coronado Bridge from a secret perch

A view of Point Loma from the Hotel Del in Coronado

Grandview Street in Encinitas

Imperial Beach pier

The Tijuana Slough, from the end of Seacoast Drive

La Jolla Shores at dawn. No, I didn't photoshop the 'no alcohol' sign!

On the Ocean Beach pier.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier.

Also near the SIO pier.

Tourmaline Beach, taken at the end of January after a big storm

Early morning Windansea.

Windansea.

Filed under: Surfing, Water Tagged: San Diego beaches

Friday spot check: La Jolla

George J. Janczyn — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:50:19 +0000

This Friday morning’s surfing spot check brings us to La Jolla. The mixed SW swell’s angle gave Windansea a bit more size and shape than La Jolla Shores, but in both places the surfers seemed to be having a good time.

La Jolla Shores

Just before sunrise, the temp was warm, winds were calm, and it was a bit hazy and quite humid. As usual, click pictures for enlargements.

The fire must have been for atmosphere because it was warm outside!

Mostly shades of grey this morning.

Talking waves at the lifeguard tower.

This is about as big as it got

Windansea

Sun starting to show up at ground (water) level when I got here, I feel it may get hotter than yesterday. This will probably be the nicest part of the day.

Filed under: Friday spot check, Surfing Tagged: La Lolla Shores, Windansea

Friday spot check: Windansea

George J. Janczyn — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:02:28 +0000

The fireworks were held in La Jolla after all, and on Monday July 5 some southern hemi energy was producing decent swells for Windansea, although there were long breaks between sets so when a group of 3 or 5 waves finally did show up things got a little competitive. The weather was overcast and humid with just a hint of breeze that didn’t disturb the nice glassy conditions. Besides the surfers there were no people on the beach so the lifeguards didn’t have much to do besides rearrange equipment and adjust their sitting positions. Between 8am-10am anyway! There’s a short video below.

Filed under: Friday spot check, Surfing, Videos Tagged: Windansea

San Diego surfing: north vs. south

George J. Janczyn — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:17:52 +0000

San Diego’s and South County Surf Rivalry Comes to a Head at Red Bull Rivals
May 20, 2010
PRESS RELEASE

WHAT:
Red Bull Rivals is a one day surf event pitting San Diego’s North and South County locals against each other. Tapping into an area that consistently churns out heavy-hitters in the surf world, the contest will showcase some of the most talented local up-and-comers. Surfers from each county will be invited to battle it out in a head-to-head competition at Ocean Beach for ultimate bragging rights.

Two teams of 10 will be chosen by Ocean Beach Surf and Skate in the South and Quiver Boardworks and Cole Surfboards in the North. Unique to this contest, the surfers will compete in a tag team format, where one surfer from North County and one from South County will enter the water together and surf their best three waves. They will then run to shore and tag a teammate to go out and do the same; judges will score the best two waves of the three for each surfer and at the end of the day the team with the most points wins. The losing team must give up their surfboards to the winning team, and the winning team will then donate the boards to the Surfrider Foundation.

WHO:
Twenty of San Diego’s best local surfers, trying to win bragging rights for themselves and their county (exact names of surfers TBA). Judges will include: Pro surfer Jamie Sterling and ASP qualified (judging) professionals.

WHERE:
Ocean Beach Pier (at the end of Newport Ave.), San Diego, CA

WHEN:
Saturday, June 5th
8:30am-9:30am: Athlete Registration
9:30am-10:15am: Practice/Warm-Up
10:30am: First Match-Up
3:30pm: Last Match-Up
4:15pm-4:30pm: Winner Announced & Awards Ceremony

Filed under: Sports, Surfing, Water

Friday spot check: Scripps Pier

George J. Janczyn — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:28:20 +0000

Today’s 9:30am visit to the SIO pier found good size but somewhat junky surf from yesterday’s winds. An onshore breeze was building which didn’t help matters much. Most sets were closed out, surfers had little to choose from between sets, and rides were very short. Click for enlargements.

Filed under: Friday spot check, Surfing Tagged: La Jolla Shores, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Scripps Pier, SIO Pier

Encinitas to hold womens surf festival

George J. Janczyn — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 07:54:23 +0000

Encinitas Surf Festival presents “The Girls Surf Game” Scholastic Team Surf Competition

Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010
Location: D Street south of Moonlight Beach, Encinitas
Time: 9AM-3:30PM
Competing High School Teams: Carlsbad High, San Diegito Academy, Torrey Pines High, & Vista High
Schedule: Game 1: 9AM (S.D 1 seed vs Vista 4 seed) Game 2: 11AM (Carlsbad 2 seed vs Torrey Pines 3 seed) Championship Round: (winner 1 vs winner 2) at 1PM

About the competition:
“The Game” a competitive surfing format developed by local retired ASP surfing tour and big wave pro rider, Brad Gerlach.

Click here to read the full story.

Filed under: Surfing Tagged: Encinitas

Friday spot check: Imperial Beach

George J. Janczyn — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:54:00 +0000

This morning the waves in Imperial Beach were so-so. Sets were mostly waist high, maybe a shoulder high, almost fair form, nothing to prompt me to shoot video, so just a few stills. Gulls were dive-bombing for fish like crazy, but too far out to catch them on camera. Click for enlargements.

Tijuana slough

Tijuana slough - birds only

A few surfers were out at the end of Seacoast Dr...

...despite this sign

Mostly longboarders out at the pier

Rider on the north side of the pier

Nobody tried to shoot the pier though

He could have gotten more out of this one...maybe he's thinking he wants the wave behind him

Filed under: Friday spot check, Surfing, Water Tagged: Imperial Beach, Tijuana Slough

Friday spot check: Windansea

George J. Janczyn — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:01:57 +0000

Today was a calm, sunny morning in La Jolla, with just a handful of surfers sampling the waves. There was a moderate NW swell along with some energy from the south — the blend made for shifty peaks and double waves, but it was rideable. When I began shooting at around 7:30am, the tide was just ready to start coming in (low tide was about 6:40am) and there were waves to be had before things got swampy.

Click here to see the entire Friday Spot Check series.

Filed under: Friday spot check, Surfing, Videos Tagged: Windansea