Skip to content

Big Wave Day

By Christine Weaver | January 8, 2016 | California Coastline |
Triple-overhead swell stacks up along the Sharp Park area in Pacifica.

© 2016 Erik Simonson

The pro surfers at Mavericks may have been delighted with yesterday’s 40-ft waves, but the huge surf that pounded the California coast in the wake of the most recent El Niño-enhanced storm prompted the closure of the Pacifica Pier, San Francisco’s Fort Point, and King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach, doubtless among other venues.

Keith Hemstreet posted this video from King Harbor YC:

Laura Priest, the office manager at KHYC, reports: "We had no real damage, just a little bit of the blacktop breaking up. We closed the club to be cautious. The road was closed too. We’re open today."

The esplanade just north of the Pacifica Pier goes into deep rinse cycle during Thursday’s powerful wave demonstration.

© Erik Simonson

The following video, posted by Mila Zinkova, shows the Pacifica Pier, with some souls braving the waves past the barricade signs.

KPIX reporter/videographer Don Ford, who is also a local racing sailor, accompanied Coast Guard Station Golden Gate out to the Potato Patch. The Coasties took advantage of the conditions for big-wave rescue training.

Sailing

Leave a Comment




'Lectronic Latitude: Friday, Jan 8
SF Boat Show Moved to April
Following the recent march of storms and surging waters even inside San Francisco Bay, the National Marine Manufacturers Association last night made the tough decision to postpone the Progressive Insurance San Francisco Boat Show.
Waterfront Developer Seeks Input
In November, when preliminary plans were proposed that would drastically change the layout and character of Alameda Marina, it created a furor of protest and outrage among many local boaters.
More 'Lectronics »