California surfers delight in ‘really sick’ massive waves bashing coast

Stormy weather and exceptionally high tides have brought flooding and evacuations – and a surfing bonanza

Stormy weather and exceptionally high tides have brought the largest waves in years crashing down on California’s shores, with some reaching heights of 30ft (9 metres) or more.

The conditions triggered flooding and evacuations, and caused injuries and damage in coastal towns. But they have also created a bonanza for surfers, who have thrown themselves headlong into the powerful swells in recent days.

During the past week, surfers have flocked to famous locations like Mavericks near the San Francisco Bay Area, which reportedly saw some of its largest waves in recent history. Others have turned out on beaches across the southern coast, filling social media with footage of riders braving the raging surf.

The intense weather has created excitement for surfers statewide after a relatively mild start to the winter. Some people took advantage of the waves in Seal Beach, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles.

Miles Malohn, a 23-year-old from Irvine who has been surfing for about a decade, said it was one of the largest winter swells he had seen in years.

“It was pretty hectic out there for a few waves,” Malohn said. “You had to be really selective with which ones that you ride so that you don’t end up hurt or wiping out really bad.”

More big waves are expected in the coming days, with high surf advisories from the National Weather Service in effect up and down the coast. In the Bay Area and around Los Angeles, the NWS warned of dangerous conditions for beachgoers including waves higher than 20ft and riptides.

Patience was key, according to Alex Buford, 27, who was catching waves just north of Manhattan Beach on the Los Angeles county coast.

“I was waiting for a while because the waves were really sick, and they’re kinda hard to get into even though I have a really big board,” he said. “Just waited for a good one and I got it and it was a long one. Pretty big. It was sick.”

This article was amended on 5 January 2024 to change the main image.

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