Surf Golden Gate
While I'm posting links to other stuff, might as well show this photo taken yesterday. The surf was breaking at Fort Point, and there's a white flash as the last rays of sun catch a wave in the surf zone.
By the way, there actually is a surfer on that wave, and the wave is about 9 feet tall.
posted by James Lamb @ 1:36 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hello M8 Sweden here! It´s midtide here and the waves are braking small. My wish is to combine my trip to Heartmath institute in Boulder creek with surf! How are the culture back over there with sharing surfspots? Peace out/alex @ www.midtide.com
I am only a wannabe surfer... I had a kayak for awhile, but for now no wave toys. I have no car, only a motorcycle.
About the break by the Golden Gate Bridge, it is at Fort Point, where an Alfred Hitchcock movie "Vertigo" was filmed.
It's not the greatest spot, but it can have some nice waves when it's going... It only breaks at certain times --
the waves have to be coming from a certain angle and the tide right (ebb tide?) or it doesn't break there. Also,
there's strong current there and rocky shore if you ride too far. You can easily get washed under the Golden Gate
bridge by current when trying to catch a wave, however, if you keep your wits about you, you can angle back to shore
around the other side of the bridge. You might have a long walk to get back to where you parked. Definitely a spot
for those with experience in strong current and hazardous rocks.
Ocean beach is just down the road, where there are still currents (from water coming out of San Francisco Bay), but
sandy bottom. The beach is several miles long and you can walk up it (or drive along it) and see various surfing
spots due to sand bars. You'll see people surfing if the time of day is right.
Regarding sharing culture here, I'm not the best authority, but I think it's a classic supply-and-demand issue. Some
of the greatest breaks are in high demand, so much competition for a spot. The best regular break in the area is Steamer
Lane in Santa Cruz (near the light house), but I think mostly locals are the ones hanging out there. I suppose if
you're a great surfer, you could prove yourself for a spot in line.
However, there are many other surf spots -- including in Santa Cruz (which tends to have a concentrated number of
surfers, because of its reputation). Just "down-wave" from Steamer Lane (300 yards south in the same area), there is
a very long break -- you can catch a wave at one end and ride it for about 1/4 mile (sorry, not so good with metric
conversion on the fly).
They rent surf boards in Santa Cruz (near the pier), however, when I was there, all the rentals were very heavy long
boards (however, that was 10 years ago!). There are lots of surf shops -- if you have the money, I suppose you could
buy a board and ship it back to your home afterward ? I would be wary of arrangements online for a used board as you
may end up with someone's stolen board.
You have probably heard of Mavericks at Pillar Point (big wave, only breaks with huge swells). Anyway, there's a
smaller break on the other side of the harbor near Pillar Point. The waves there are easy -- 2-4 foot and there's
usually a fair number of local youth hanging out there. The people there seem more friendly/family than some other
places. You can get there by driving up highway 1 from Santa Cruz.
Another beach that's not so crowded is across the Golden Gate Bridge in the Golden Gate National Recreation area --
Rodeo Beach at Fort Cronkhite. Though if you're driving up the coast, you'll probably see lots of other surf spots
before you come that far north! However, if you're visiting the bridge, you might as well pop over and see the
headlands lighthouse and beach (six dollar toll to return on bridge).
The water is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit... o.k., I'll get my calculator: 18 degrees Centigrade this time of year.
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