15-footers at Wedge, high surf, rip current advisory issued

July 24th, 2009, 5:41 am · 9 Comments · posted by Gary Robbins, science writer-editor

A high surf and rip current advisory is in effect for Orange County beaches through Saturday afternoon. Waves from a south swell are slamming the entire coastline. Through 12:30 p.m. today, waves were in the 6′ to 8′ range, with sets to 10′, at the San Clemente Pier, says Register reporter Fred Swegles. Conditions are even larger at the Huntington Beach Pier, where the US Open of Surfing is being held. And there’s a report that part of the beach at Aliso Creek has been closed. Bolsa Chica is also going off at 6′ to 8′. And waves have reached 15′, or higher, at the Wedge in Newport Beach. Water temperatures are in the upper 60s to low 70s. There’s little onshore wind. Updates: Surfline, Inc. of Huntington Beach

At 7 a.m. today, there were already a couple hundred spectators at the Wedge, north of the Newport Harbor entrance, watching more than a dozen bodysurfers and boardsurfers negotiate 10 - 15 foot waves.

The Wedge goes off this morning at 6:30 a.m. Image by Gary Robbins, The Register

The incoming surf has already started producing strong rip currents and a strong side current, especially in north coastal Orange County.

ripcurrentimage-copy Check out an interactive graphic by Molly Zisk that shows what to do if you’re caught in a rip current.

Go to Laylan Conelly’s live coverage of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.

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Kingdomflight says:

July 24, 2009 at 7:22 am

“A high surf and rip current advisory is in effect for Orange County beaches through Saturday afternoon he beating the coast is expected to take from a major south swell now rolling ashore, says the National Weather Service.”

Does anyone ever proof-read this stuff?

Gary Robbins, science writer-editor says:

July 24, 2009 at 7:31 am

Thanks Kingdomflight - this is OC Beach blogger … I was in the file to upload a photo from Robbins, who is out on the scene to get the info to everyone as quick as possible. I’m sure I hit something to make it funky - so thanks for pointing out!