Powerful WNW swell mix cranked out by a strong northeast Pacific storm will fill in tonight and max out for Southern California this weekend. Similar to last weekend, that impressive looking low dropped southward from the Aleutians and develop 35-40kt+ winds aimed directly at our coast. More importantly, this is another lower latitude storm which means that the resultant “westerly ” directed swell gets into most spots so there will be plenty of waves to go around.

Solid surf tops out Saturday afternoon, stays strong into Sunday morning, then eases into next week. Favorable winds on Saturday, turning unfavorable on Sunday.

A rain advisory is issued when there is significant rainfall that may cause bacteria levels in ocean waters to increase. Bacteria levels can increase significantly during and after rainstorms, as contaminants within the runoff enters the ocean. Bacteria levels may remain elevated up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause illness, especially in children and the elderly. The Department of Public Health recommends that beach users avoid contact with ocean water for a period of 3 days after significant rainfall, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers.

An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 7:00 am, Saturday, December 7, 2019. Beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall. This advisory may be extended depending upon further rainfall.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location.



Los Angeles county beaches are under advisory after the rainfall starting Nov. 27, 2019



This map is updated as conditions change. The

The average water temps as of December 2nd.

According to Surflies, "another impressive-looking storm in the northeast Pacific will setup more swell for Southern California this weekend. Similar to the past weekend, low-pressure dropping southward from the Aleutians have already whipped up 35-40kt winds in a fetch aimed toward the West Coast. More importantly, the lower latitude storm opens up more options along the coastline with the westerly swell direction."

"Solid surf rises through Saturday to a peak, then slowly easing Sunday with fun-size leftovers into the start of next week. And although we may see a chance of showers this weekend, winds generally look favorable during this run of swell."

Are you a lover of classic longboarding? Are you mesmerized watching surfers effortlessly doing dropknees and bottom turns? Do you yearn to cross-step and perch on the nose, just like them, but not sure how to do it? Or are you a beginner who wants a chance to ask all the questions you have about how to improve, catch more waves and longer rides?

Carla Zamora grew up at First Point Malibu, one of the best longboarding waves in the world. Under the guidance of her father as well as a long list of logging legends, Carla learned the proper nuances exclusive to traditional longboarding.

This fall and winter, join Carla for a series of one-hour workshops at Traveler Surf Club & Coastal Outpost , geared specifically for the longboarder looking to improve their game. The workshops will progress from basic beginner level through to more advanced techniques and topics.

Come for the sessions that are of most interest to you, or sign on for the full set so that you can build on new knowledge each time.

$30 with advance purchase, $35 at door

Traveler Surf Club & Coastal Outpost
22941 PCH, Malibu.

Session 4 | Saturday December 14th "Party Wave" | 9-10 AM

Finally, we will do a cumulative review of what we've learned and go into detail on any topics that were not covered in-depth. Topic covered include:

Combining skills
Taking your skills to the next level
Advanced Equipment
Squaretail vs Pintail
Fin Placement
The Proper Noserider

BUY TICKETS HERE

O'Neill is running the 2nd Annual Wave Of The Winter Regional Edition Contest. It's a regional video submission contest, and the Southern West Coast is one of the five regions. If you want to enter, here's the press release:

O’Neill Wave of the Winter: Regional Edition

The Wave of the Winter will be undoubtedly ridden on Oahu’s North Shore this season. Mostly because Pipe, Backdoor and Off-the-Wall are the heaviest waves on earth and the people pulling into those barrels are the best surfers on the planet.

But here’s the thing: 99% of the surfing universe doesn’t have access to that hallowed stretch of reef. 99% of the surfing universe does 99% of its surfing at home. And “home” in the United States at least, includes all kinds of different surf, all winter long. From frigid teepees in New Jersey to tapered pointbreaks in Santa Barbara; from shallow reefs in Puerto Rico to unrelenting XXL a-frames in San Francisco — and everything and everywhere in between.

And every surf community in the world huddles on sand dunes or in parking lots and talks in hushed tones about the Wave of the Day or the Wave of the Season. It means everything to the locals you see every day. (If only because it means you’ve moved a little higher in the pecking order and thus get more waves.)

Welcome to the Wave of the Winter for the people, created to celebrate unsung local heroes who charge at beaches around the country, all winter long. Surfline’s Regional O’Neill Wave of the Winter contests will be judged via online user voting after the four-month holding period. (December 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.)

And because this will be judged by you, here’s the criteria our official North Shore judges use to use as a framework:
– Wave Size (25%) –
– Degree of Difficulty of Maneuvers (25%) –
– Style (25%) – and
– Overall “Heaviness” Factor (25%) –

There are five regions:
East Coast North: Maine to Delaware
East Coast South: Virginia to Florida
West Coast North: Point Conception to Oregon border
West Coast South: Point Conception to Mexico border
Puerto Rico/Caribbean Islands

Winners receive:
$1,000, a bunch of O’Neill gear and internet fame. (And hopefully more waves.)

How to upload:
YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram videos are all accepted.
Go to THIS PAGE to upload your ride.
*Keep in mind there’s no limit to uploads, but you’re trying to win this thing.
Head dips won’t count.

The one and only world famous Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest! come one come all get your surf and party on! The contest gentrification could not kill! The entry price is the same as it was $20 years ago! You get a limited edition T-shirt, entry into the contest, food, fellowship and fun.

The entry fee includes the award ceremony party at the Sidewalk Cafe! $ 20 pre-entry via Paypal at surfathon62@yahoo.com. $25 Beach entry.

Visit the 26th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest Facebook Page for more info.

"As hard as it is to write this it’s come to our attention that Rip City Skates at 2709 Santa Monica Blvd. Is scheduled to be demolished sometime in the near future. It is our understanding that the store plans to relocate and not close but the purpose of this post is to raise awareness on this issue. This store is more than just a skate shop, Jim and Bill have created an environment that has fostered the skate community of Santa Monica for over 40 years. It's also Los Angeles’s oldest continuously operated skate shop. It’s upsetting to our community that the city of Santa Monica would overlook it’s cultural relevance to the city itself. Its significance in skateboard history is well known and respected worldwide. Today we are asking for you to sign this petition in our effort to have the city deem Rip City skates a historical landmark. Thank you for your time." - Rip City Locals

Click Here to sign the petition.

Los Angeles county beaches are under advisory after the rainfall starting Nov. 27, 2019

The Los Angeles County Public Health department issued beach water use advisories on Wednesday, Nov. 27, as rainfall hit the region.

The advisory at Los Angeles County beaches will remain in effect until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the advisory. The Orange County warning states that elevated bacteria levels could continue for a period of at least three days, depending on the intensity of the rain and volume of runoff.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis is cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers.

“Bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around these outlets after a rainfall,” the announcement states. “Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.”

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers are exempt from the advisory. The advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

“Swimmers should avoid coastal waters impacted by discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers and beach users should avoid contact with any runoff on the beach during dry or wet weather conditions,” it reads.

For information on beach conditions, call L.A. County’s beach closure hotline, 800-525-5662

The forecast for the Thanksgiving Holidays:

The West Coast will see a solid northwest swell for the holiday as a coastal low moves through the state. Winds and conditions are a bit dicey.

The average water temps as of November 25th.

The one and only world famous Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest! come one come all get your surf and party on! The contest gentrification could not kill! The entry price is the same as it was $20 years ago! You get a limited edition T-shirt, entry into the contest, food, fellowship and fun.

The entry fee includes the award ceremony party at the Sidewalk Cafe! $ 20 pre-entry via Paypal at surfathon62@yahoo.com. $25 Beach entry.

Visit the 26th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest Facebook Page for more info.

The average water temps as of November 14th.

Surfline just claimed: West Coast surfers have plenty to be thankful for this week with Southern Hemi swell and northwest swell providing plenty of opportunities to score. Obviously the crew at Surfline never watches their own cams.

And then as usual hyped up the forecast with: "Meanwhile, bigger and better things lie ahead." which means keep checking the website because clicks = money.

Nat Young is hitting the California coast in November to celebrate and sign copies of his latest book, ‘Church of the Open Sky’.

‘Church of the Open Sky' is Young’s seventh book. With a foreword by Pulitzer-winner William Finnegan, it features well-crafted, highly entertaining stories and anecdotes, including can’t-miss tales about traveling through Afghanistan and Nepal in 1972 with enfant terrible Miki Dora, how low rail, “edge boards” came to be, and how one day at San Onofre in 1983 with Tom Blake got him to reconsider how he perceives surfing. Date:
November 17

Location:
Val Surf
4810 Whitsett Ave.
Valley Village CA 91607

This Saturday. Ocean Goddess Surf is hosting another Goddess Group Lesson on Nov 17th. If you are in search of friendly, fun and girl powered beginner surf lessons, this is your chance! This will be at Malibu.

Lessons in LA can be expensive and it can be intimidating to try surfing alone. Join the Ocean Goddess Surf Coaches for a 1.5 hour lesson with up to 5 other women/girls of your skill level! Only $50 per person. All ages welcome. These are lessons for beginner surfers only.

Sign up via this link: Goddess Group Lessons

The 14th annual Santa Monica Film Festival returns to Santa Monica on Saturday November 30 to showcase and premiere current award winning independent films from local, national and international filmmakers. A moderated filmmaker discussion accompanies each film screening that gives the audience an opportunity to interact with the filmmakers. Films screenings are hosted by AMC Broadway 4 including the Santa Monica premiere of The Tony Alva Story.

62-years-old Alva, the oldest professional, skateboarder in the world, is considered by many to be the godfather of modern day skateboarding. Alva’s brand of aggression and bravado in the 70’s set the stage for the way skateboarding would be forever defined.

Vans’ The Tony Alva Story chronicles T.A.’s humble beginnings on the streets of Santa Monica to his rise to super stardom as part of the legendary Z-Boys, his inevitable drug-induced implosion and his ultimate rise from the ashes to accept his rightful place as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations of skateboarders the world over.

Santa Monica Premiere Date Saturday November 30 ​

Special Guests Scheduled To Appear
Tony Alva
Ray Flores

Screening Time
@ 3:30P ​

Venue
AMC Broadway 4
1441 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica CA 90401 ​

Tickets
$20 General Admission includes VANS t-shirt while supplies last. Note that these $20 tickets are just for the Tony Alva Story showing, the tickets for the full Film Festival admission are separate, be sure to select the proper tickets when buying. ​

Santa Monica Film Festival Tickets

At Approx. 11:30 AM Sunday, Lifeguards found a large amount of medical supplies along the shoreline South of the Venice Pier. The the area has been cordoned off. Discarded needles, tubes and similar items - possible biohazard.

The source is unknown and under investigation. LA County Lifeguards will continue to patrol the area by land and sea to monitor for any further materials.

Witnesses from this morning stated that "needles fell from a ship and were floating ashore near the 3400 block of Ocean Front Walk."

I AM TORQUATO presents :

A L.A. SURF STORY

On Sunday, November 24th, at Civic Center Studios in Downtown Los Angeles, renowned Artist and Surfer Michael Torquato deNicola will present ‘A L.A. Surf Story.’ A multi-media presentation of paintings, on canvas and repurposed boards, as well as TV and film work, taking you along with him on his life of travel, adventure and very personal interactions with his environment over the past 25 years. The exhibition will be presented as a conversation with the Artist, highlighting his process, successes, failures and gratitude for the lessons learned along his truly unique journey.



‘A L.A. Surf Story’ multi-media presentation will include the following :
Reef Paintings project
Sun Spots series
Recycled Surfboard project
Selected murals around Los Angeles
Documentary film ‘The Westsiders’
Feature film ‘Chapter and Verse’
Red Bull ‘5X’ games

Michael states, “The goal of this presentation is in part to showcase a summary of these works but more importantly to speak to the purpose and intention behind each of them. I want to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way and ultimately to express my gratitude for these opportunities. We are living in intense and radically changing times where truth seems more and more subjective, our attention spans are diminishing, and real connection seems harder to find. This show is an opportunity for me to share some of my experiences with the hopes they will help others to connect with themselves and each other more and empower them to help create the future they want to see.”

‘A L.A. Surf Story’ is an hour-long presentation. It will be recorded and broadcast live via social media. A Q & A will follow and beverages will be served.

Join us, following the presentation, for a first look at a series of museum-quality fine art, hand embellished, limited edition prints that uphold the integrity of each original artwork by artist Michael Torquato deNicola, published by Moby Arts.

RSVP is required. Click here for RSVP Page

Date and Time
Sun, November 24, 2019
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST

Location
Civic Center Studios
207 South Broadway
Suite One
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Mollusk Surf Shop is hosting the LA screening of the new feature length film “Zone Frequency” by Jack Coleman on Thursday November 14th at the Los Feliz Theatre. Doors at 7:30, film starts at 8 and tickets are $10

Date and Time
Thu, November 14, 2019
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM PST

Los Feliz Theater
1822 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Click Here for Tickets