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The North Pacific is seeing a late season active pattern — taking over after a prolonged period of poor surf in Hawaii and for much of the US West Coast the past six to eight weeks. In the South Pacific, the start of meteorological fall in the Southern Hemisphere (March 1st) has brought an increase in storm activity, which progressed from the Western South Pacific to the Central South Pacific where it currently sits. All of this adds up to improved surf for both Hawaii and California in the shorter term — with a chance for XL swell in Hawaii and for portions of the West Coast as we go deeper into March.


During the next few days, the primary reason we’ll see better surf for Hawaii and California will be due to an improvement in local winds. Both regions have seen persistent onshore flow and cooler-than-normal temps for the past month, with nearby low pressure generally the culprit behind that onshore flow. As high pressure weakens north of the Islands during the back half of the week into the early weekend, trades should relax and shift to a more east-northeast to east direction, with generally clean conditions along northern shores.

Fun to mid-size swells from the northwest prevail during that time — so whether you’re surfing or watching the cams from afar, entertainment value will be there. However, keep an eye out for a wind shift as we move through the weekend with deteriorating conditions and eventually a much more significant swell (more on that in a second).

For California, strengthening high pressure over the western US will lead to an extended stretch of mild, sunny weather and favorable wind. By the weekend, temps should be above seasonal average for the first time since mid-January — many areas seeing morning offshore flow and a mix of swells running. Mid-size northwest swell will show strongest for areas north of Point Conception, but enough energy will get around the corner into Southern California for something to ride, while the best-exposed winter breaks should be fun.

We’ll also have a modest, fun-sized southerly swell in the mix, strongest through the south facing spots of Southern California. This swell is starting to slowly filter in now from a more southwest direction and will shift south-southwest later this week and weekend thanks to storm activity in the South Pacific that happened seven to ten days ago. We’ve seen good waves at locales well South of the Border in the past couple days, which is a solid indication that the southerly swell is on the way.


SoCal beachbreaks should be a good option Friday through the weekend off the mix of swells coupled with favorable wind and pleasant weather. Be sure to pack some neoprene, though: while air temps will warm this weekend, water temps are still quite cool and breezy northwest flow along the coast Tuesday-Wednesday – and resultant upwelling – cooled things further. Northern California breaks are in the lower 50s, while SoCal breaks are generally in the mid 50s.

One thing to watch out for: there is some uncertainty on how deep into next week the favorable conditions will continue for California. Just a couple days ago it looked like it could be most of the week, especially for Southern California. However, the latest model guidance shows the potential for onshore flow and precipitation to return by the middle of next week. We’ll need to work the details out in the next few days, but the bottom line is that late this week and this weekend look good for wind and weather, so take advantage of it while it’s here.

Going into the longer range we continue to watch for a stronger storm pattern to develop in the western North Pacific and eventually stretch into the central and eastern NPAC. The climate models started to advertise this shift during the back half of February, and it’s been on the long-range weather charts for a couple of weeks now as well. Under this pattern, we expect to see solid to potentially XL swell for both Hawaii and California during the back half of the month, with these swells also more ‘westerly’ for California. Again, there is some uncertainty on the specific details for size and timing of these potential swells, but confidence is slowly increasing on those variables.


On March 23, Red Bull and 300 college students will be embarking on a unique road trip from the beach to the snow, for the ultimate “California Dream Day.”

They’ll begin the day by picking students at several local colleges, including Santa Monica College and USC, then heading down to Huntington Beach for an early morning surf, and then hop a bus up to Big Bear for a shred session at Big Bear Mountain Resort’s Red Bull Plaza.

Open to all college students, it’ll be a chance to experience something that makes Southern California such an awesome place to live: surfing and snowboarding in the same day.



The $35 ticket includes transportation to/from several Southern California college campuses, as well as some food and, of course, a Big Bear lift ticket.

Students will also be joined by Red Bull athletes to further elevate this one-of-a-kind experience. The whole event is expected to last about 12 hours.



It’ll be a day for SoCal college-aged surfers and snowboarders to really push the limits of what’s possible in the Golden State.

Check out the Red Bull site for all the details about pick-up times and locations, as well as purchase tickets. They are only $35. Space is limited to 300 people.






Join Surfrider LA on Saturday for the quarterly volunteer orientation where you'll have a chance to hear from local Surfrider LA activists about their campaigns and programs and how YOU can get involved protecting our local coastal resources. The orientation will last from 10-11AM with a beach cleanup to follow from 11AM-1PM. All are welcome! Bring your family, bring your friends, and come learn about the great work that's being done to address global ocean issues right here in your own back yard. Your coast needs you and we can't wait to dial you in!

NOTE: Surfrider LA is the good Chapter of Surfrider. It's the Surfrider California Chapter that promotes a known racist, sexist individual and her scam.


We usually do a monthly recap of links to all the Surf Spot Photo Galleries and Videos we have for each month, unfortunately February was a pretty bad month. With all the storms and lack of good waves, there wasn't many surf photos shot. California Mermaid Photography did get some surf photos throughout the month, mostly from Santa Monica. You can check out the photos on her Facebook Page Timeline

Hopefully March will be better.



Meet Tracie, a 59-year Santa Monica resident and adaptive surfer, skater, and marathoner who will be running the LA Marathon next month and raising funds to support Surfrider LA. Tracie is a total beast and hasn't let Multiple Sclerosis stand in the way of getting after what she loves best - the beach, endurance challenges, and heavy drops. Click this link to support Tracie as she enters the LA Marathon on March 24th to raise funds for your favorite Surfrider chapter.

By supporting Surfrider runners in the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon, your gift will directly impact and help protect our local ocean, waves, and beaches for future generations. GO, TRACIE, GO!

From Surfrider LA :
As the rains have tapered off, water quality has improved at the majority of sites tested - 31 and 20 CFUs/100mL at Santa Monica Pier and Will Rogers Beach respectively. However, the Pico Kenter storm drain is still showing elevated bacteria levels of 3823 CFUs/100mL 💩😳 - it’s a good reminder to avoid entering the ocean around storm drains for at least 72 hours after a significant rain.

Questions about Surfrider LA's Blue Water Task Force can be addressed to bwtf@la.surfrider.org
On Wednesday 2/27 at Patagonia Santa Monica , Surfrider LA is discussing sea level rise and the impacts to surfing in California. Members will hear an update from the Malibu Lagoon Action Committee and their efforts to address chronic erosion at First Point. Meeting is from 7pm - 8:30pm in store, and open to the public!

Patagonia Santa Monica store
1344 4th Street ,
Santa Monica , California , 90401