A large long-period swell will move into the region through Thursday from a distant storm system. High surf will develop will develop at beaches along the Central Coast and Ventura County through early Tuesday morning, then into Santa Barbara South Coast and Los Angeles County beaches Wednesday. The highest surf will occur at west and northwest beaches. Surf will peak on Thursday when there is a possibility of damaging sets at Central Coast beaches. Swimmers and inexperienced surfers should stay out of the water through Friday. People are advised to stay off of rock walls and jetties. Never ever turn your back to the ocean. Dangerous rip currents and minor beach erosion are possible. Sneaker waves can inundate beaches and overtop jetties at any moment.

Source: National Weather Service

The average water temps as of December 31st.

"2020 Starts With a Bang!"

Well that's what Surfline is claiming. "Large shot of northwest swell builds in and peaks for the West Coast mid-late week. Conditions are a little dicey, but the mornings look mostly clean with light winds."

Wednesday, January 1st: 3-4’+ average breaks, 4-6′ at winter standouts. Favorable winds.

Steep NW swell (295+) holds pretty steadily early, easing in the afternoon as new long period WNW swell (285-300; peak direction 290-295) builds in. Size generally holds from late Tuesday with better exposures in the waist-shoulder high range as top winter spots of southern Ventura, the South Bay, and South SD see sets pushing overhead. The fresh, long period WNW swell should level size off through the afternoon, the bulk of the new swell building in after dark. Variable to light offshore easterly wind early trends light southerly midday before dropping off in the afternoon.

Boardriders Malibu and Vintage Surfboard Collector Club are hosting the first Surf Swap of the new year. Mark your calendars, Saturday January 4th, for some epic vibes! Whether your looking to buy, sell or trade, there will be boards and gear for everyone!

Boardriders Malibu
18820 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, Ca 80265
310 - 359 - 8274


Check out photos from a previous swap event: Topanga Vintage Surf Swap

Next month at Boardriders Malibu, everyone’s invited to the free screening of the surf film “Life In General”. It happens on Thursday the 9th, 7-9pm. There might be will be free food & beer, there was at the last screening.

Boardriders Malibu
18820 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, Ca 80265
310 - 359 - 8274

Due to additional significant rainfall on 12/26/19, the Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been extended for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 7:30 AM , Sunday, December 29, 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. (The current rainfall has not yet reached a significant level).

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.

The average water temps as of December 23rd.

Beach Water Use Advisory: Advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches in effect until Thursday, December 26 at 7:30 a.m.

Because of the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, 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. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.

Discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprise a small portion of the beach; therefore, anybody who wants to go to other areas at the beach can still enjoy their beach outing.



Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers are exempted from this advisory. This advisory will be in effect until at least Thursday, December 26 at 7:30 a.m. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662. Information is also available online at: PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach

Vehicle break ins are on the rise once again. LAPD is passing out these flyers warning surfers to stop hiding there keys in wheelwells or behind bumpers when they go surfing.

Our photographers have watched first hand these pieces of shit casing vehicles at surf spots such as Sunset, Topanga and the spots in Malibu. If you watched our Instagram Stories, you'd have seen us scare them off a few times.

Some of the thieves will have one person sit in one vehicle parked at the spot, watching who hides their keys, then they call to the other and tell them which vehicles to go break into.

At least, get a good key lockbox to deter these assholes.

We watched this guy casing cars and made him leave:

Female body discovered in the water near the bridge at Malibu Lagoon. Body appears to be African American, 20-30 years old. Rigor mortis has set in. Body was found nude, no clothing. This photo is from griffin_churchill

The average water temps as of December 16th.

More North Pacific Swells On The Way

Surflines says: "Northwest swell stays up all week, with overlapping pulses moving in. Plenty of surf, but look to spots north of Pt. Conception for the largest waves overall. Winds and conditions play the wildcard role once again."

A High Surf Advisory has been issued for LA County:

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
527 PM PST Fri Dec 13 2019

Ventura County Coast- Los Angeles County Coast including Downtown Los Angeles-
Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands-
527 PM PST Fri Dec 13 2019

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Large waves of 6 to 10 feet and dangerous rip currents, peaking tonight into Saturday morning. Minor beach flooding.

* WHERE...Ventura County Coast, Los Angeles County Coast and Catalina Island. Highest surf across exposed west facing beaches.

* WHEN...Through noon PST Sunday, peaking tonight through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. Minor flooding of sea water over beaches, around the time of high tide Thursday and Friday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...West swell direction. Largest High tides near 6.6 feet (MLLW) around 9 AM today, lowering slightly on Saturday with high tide around 940 AM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area...producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Join Surfrider LA tomorrow morning - Saturday - from 10am-1pm at Topanga State Beach for the final cleanup of 2019. So far this year volunteers have removed more than 6K lbs of trash from LA County Beaches! ~ Be sure to bring your favorite wave-riding gear for a pre or post cleanup sesh cos it's gonna be pumping!

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...

WHAT...Large waves of 6 to 10 feet and dangerous rip currents. Minor beach flooding.

WHERE...Santa Barbara County South Coast, Ventura County Coast, Los Angeles County Coast, and Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands.

WHEN...From Thursday evening through Sunday morning.

IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming conditions. Minor flooding of sea water over beaches, around the time of high tide.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This is an extended outlook statement. A High Surf Advisory will likely be issued on Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor future forecasts for more details as the expected event approaches.

This Sunday, December 15th at 1pm is the Ocean Goddess Surf Holiday Party hosted by the Traveler Surf Club Malibu..

1pm - 2pm: Group Surf Paddle out at 1st point Malibu

1pm-4pm: Traveler Surf Club Hangout. Raffle, refreshments and fun!

This is a free event! Ladies of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Traveler is amazing and we are allowed to use the surf club for FREE before and after surfing. Come enjoy all of the amenities that Traveler Surf Club Malibu. has to offer during the meetup (lockers, changing rooms, hot outdoor shower). We will not have board or wetsuit rentals at this event. Parking is easy on the street or in the paid lot by the Malibu pier! Traveler will be our home base from 1-4pm. Come say hello!

Address is 22941 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Hope to see you all there!

Check out the Ocean Goddess Surf Website for more info.

Solid WNW swells grace spots north of Pt. Conception the back half of this week. SoCal also gets in on the action going through the upcoming weekend. Winds/conditions something to monitor.

The average water temps as of December 9th.

Tuesday night plan to celebrate local photographer Brian Averill & the Release of His Photography Book Concrete To Saltwater.

Great music, excellent food and drinks, signed copies, and a full book slideshow. If you’re free, swing by The Waterfront Venice and say hello!

The Waterfront Venice
205 Ocean Front Walk,
Venice, CA 90291
(424) 309-5331

A few words from Venice Surf-A-Thon Founder Ger-I Lewis:

Everything about the Venice Surf-A-Thon is custom. From the trophies to the art work on the graphics.

The contest primary function is to showcase the talent of the many participants,volunteers and sponsors and have a good surfing time! The surf contest that was intended to be a one off that became not only a neighborhood institution but an international one also.

In 26 years the Venice Surf-A-Thon has increased the entry price once. The entry is a paltry $25.00. If a competitor is unable to pay, the contest waives the fee. The entry price includes a custom and limited t-shirt, entry to compete and to the award show after the contest at the Sidewalk Cafe. A super deal!

Most contests charge upwards of a $100.00 to compete for a plastic trophy. Why? because those contests are about making money. Venice Surf-A-Thon is not. It is about having a good time, staying funky and true to the roots and aloha spirit of surfing. It is the surf contest thugs, gentrification and hipsters could not ruin or kill.

I personally wish to welcome back Sector 9 to the sponsorship fold. Back in 1993 EG and Steve Lake jumped right in to sponsor the contest. A few years ago after 23 years of continuous sponsorship Sector 9 choose not to sponsor. Well EG is back at Sector 9 and on board with Venice Surf-A-Thon! We are stoked to resume a wonderful relationship!

You may notice many competing brands that sponsor the Venice Surf-A-Thon. It is unusual. The reason being Venice Surf-A-Thon is plain 'ol fun and truly a non- profit venture just to stoke folks out. You don't have to take my word for it, ask the sponsors, volunteers and competitors themselves.

Finally any funds generated by the Venice Surf-A-Thon (less production costs) are donated to MLD Christian School, Mindanao Philippines.

Sincerely,
Ger-I
Executive Director

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.

Check out the coverage of the 2018 Venice Surf-A-Thon.