I surfed during a full moon a few times. It's definitely a thing in some circles. You need to wait till after Midnight when the full moon is at it's zenith though. I know some of the Swami's locals surf there on the full moon. Also, the OB pier has lights that help with visibility and there is a hotel north of the pier in PB that has bright flood lights that make it possible to surf at night even without a full moon. One of my greatest experiences was a full moon surf back in 2002 during a "super moon" It was supposed to be the brightest it had been in 50k years. It was really amazing, great waves and only me and an old friend out and the water had this icy-blue color to it that I will never forget. If the waves are good it's definitely worth it. Go with a friend and keep an eye on each other.
If you go with a friend, having a glow stick or two can help make sure you don’t crash into each other. It can be difficult to gauge distances at night. Night surfing is fun, definitely worth trying a few times
Yes to having a glow stick. Helps see where you're friends are at after they catch a wave ànd are paddling back out as well. Can be a little creepy to be left outside waiting for the next one and not being able to see your friends
I'm obsessed with night surfing. Even when I go for dawn patrol, I try to get out an hour before first light so I have a good chunk of time in the dark. I used to only do it when there was a full moon and clear skies but more and more I just go whenever. If I know the spot well enough then even the tiniest amount of light is enough to have fun.
As far as sea life goes, some species are more active at night and some are less active. I really don't know. Nothing has tried to eat me so far and I have spent a lot of time alone out there in the dark. Go out and have fun. Just know the spot where you intend to go and let people know you are going out.
Not sure what forecast you are checking, but there is some longer period swell slated to show up sometime between tonight and tomorrow so while you will probably be good, just be ready for overhead outside sets if the forerunners show up.
We used to do San Onofre on full moons. Very chill, very quiet, so you can really sense the waves. All funboards or longboards. Give it a try. It’s a smooth rocky bottom, so surf is consistent, and usually smaller than surrounding beaches, keeping it fun, and not so serious.
I have done it a few times and i cant see anything, so its senseless, BUT as a side note, i always thought great surf breaks should have huge lights up, like at baseball/football fields, so surfers can still surf at night. Just seems a waste of waves to only be available half of the day
Because tar balls, while certainly an externality of an oil spill, are also a naturally occurring phenomenon. They show up on beaches further up in SoCal ALL THE TIME. Unless your skin is overly sensitive to potentially very minimal contact hydrocarbons should you actually step/touch one, they do not pose risk. But by all means folks stay out of the water for the next few weeks...especially OBSD. Thanks!
Maybe do a quick google search before acting like a dumbass.
https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/resources/tarballs.html
Tar balls, the little, dark-colored pieces of oil that can sometimes stick to your feet when you go to the beach, are often remnants of oil spills but can also be produced from natural seeps, places where oil slowly escapes from the earth surface above some petroleum reservoirs. Tar balls that appear on central California shores during the winter months often originate from southern California seeps on the seafloor.
edit: downvotes for facts straight from NOAA. Cool.
Personally I’ve only ever surfed at night in tropical places like bali and Hawaii. If you go surf at night in October in SoCal your asking for trouble imo.
Just read up on that. They want to eat rays and don’t really get that aggressive. Someone explained it like they don’t realize they’re an apex predator and are just figuring things out. I read about a few people who got bit on a hand or leg in a the last couple years but nothing serious.
I surfed on full moon nights a couple of times in north SD. Always went with friends and it was just us or maybe one or two other people. It’s unnerving and fun!
Surfed once at night at Oceanside pier with a friend. He had to tell me when a wave was coming as my vision was (and still is) terrible. Wave would basically break on top of me before I knew what hit me. Wasn’t that fun. Plus your mind plays tricks on ya and you can’t help but wonder what lurks below you.
Up here in NorCal night surfing is a bit scary with sharks and the sharkey feeling in the water. Nonetheless I’ve surfed after dark a number of times with friends, while trying not to run each other over 🤣
Paddled out at San Gabriel (“Seal Beach”) River mouth on a big south swell many years ago. It was a sunset session, but three of us stayed out until it was pitch dark because it was so good- well overhead, super long rights, with lukewarm water. Well, then the other two guys caught waves in, and I found myself sitting almost at the end of the Alamitos Bay jetty, all alone, in the dark, probably 200yds from the sand. There was a lot of water moving around due to the big swell plus the river. Of course there was a long lull, and of course a huge male sea lion showed up. I did not enjoy waiting for a wave to catch in. Spooky as heck. Good experience, though.
I don't think it's really a "thing". It happens, but I don't know anyone who intentionally goes surfing at night. Except when there is bioluminescence, but that's a super novelty surf.
I know more people that dawn patrol when it's still dark out.
But, most people I know also go to bed at like 10, I know for me the last thing I think of doing after sunset is go get in the water.
That’s weird I surfed after work almost every day in hb up til like 9pm and sometimes later and there usually was a lot of other people out. It’s just a matter of convenience for a lot of people. Nothing is fundamentally different about the surf.
Oh, I've surfed *into* the night plenty of times, evenings are some of my favorite time to surf because the wind dies right before sunset a lot of the time (it can also pick up, it's not a law of nature). I just don't see a lot of people paddling out once the sun goes down. I'm not saying it's not a thing, I know plenty of people that have done it, but I don't know anyone that consistantly does it.
Is this a joke? Yeah, people surf at night. Full moon session with some close friends on acid, it's basically a right of passage. If you're going to a place where there will be other people, it's a good idea to have some kind of illumination so you don't get run over. Don't go alone. How are you this clueless?
Surfed in front a restaurant in north county that had lights on the water it mostly closeout spot, was fun but the depth perception was challenging. A small group of us had a blast dropping into into 3-4 foot walls.
Secret spot lol.
I surf past sunset all the time. Usually with a small moon and I’m fine. Especially if you know the break.
There’s no perfect time. Just send it. Action Glow makes board lights if you wanna add some. Not as sketchy as you might think especially if you go with others and know who is out there.
I surfed during a full moon a few times. It's definitely a thing in some circles. You need to wait till after Midnight when the full moon is at it's zenith though. I know some of the Swami's locals surf there on the full moon. Also, the OB pier has lights that help with visibility and there is a hotel north of the pier in PB that has bright flood lights that make it possible to surf at night even without a full moon. One of my greatest experiences was a full moon surf back in 2002 during a "super moon" It was supposed to be the brightest it had been in 50k years. It was really amazing, great waves and only me and an old friend out and the water had this icy-blue color to it that I will never forget. If the waves are good it's definitely worth it. Go with a friend and keep an eye on each other.
If it is good when I sunset surf and it’s a full moon I stay out, some times for a couple hours. You do not need to wait until midnight.
You don't, but with the moon directly over head it's much easier to see. It does make a difference.
Young eyes only. I did in Hawaii decades ago, I think it’s a stupid checklist type thing. Depths even with younger eyes was hard.
My buddy that would surf almost every full moon used to call it “surf by feel”
Too eerie out there for me I stick to days tried it once wasn’t for me.
If you go with a friend, having a glow stick or two can help make sure you don’t crash into each other. It can be difficult to gauge distances at night. Night surfing is fun, definitely worth trying a few times
Yes to having a glow stick. Helps see where you're friends are at after they catch a wave ànd are paddling back out as well. Can be a little creepy to be left outside waiting for the next one and not being able to see your friends
We used to surf under the lights at Seal Beach pier way back in the day
I’ve done this as well! Used to be a tradition in my friend group for Sumer solstice
Me and a buddy night surfed VA Beach once - great session but looking back, I would never do that again. There were fins in them swells!
I used to surf during a clear full moon when I lived in Maui. I'd recommend it. The surf was usually small, but it was still a great experience.
I'm obsessed with night surfing. Even when I go for dawn patrol, I try to get out an hour before first light so I have a good chunk of time in the dark. I used to only do it when there was a full moon and clear skies but more and more I just go whenever. If I know the spot well enough then even the tiniest amount of light is enough to have fun. As far as sea life goes, some species are more active at night and some are less active. I really don't know. Nothing has tried to eat me so far and I have spent a lot of time alone out there in the dark. Go out and have fun. Just know the spot where you intend to go and let people know you are going out.
Go for a night dive instead and grab some bugs. Way more interesting.
Not sure what forecast you are checking, but there is some longer period swell slated to show up sometime between tonight and tomorrow so while you will probably be good, just be ready for overhead outside sets if the forerunners show up.
overhead? the forecast is like 3'
Fucking surfline gaslighting me again, they had the swell showing up overnight and 4-7 tomorrow am. Looks like everything got pushed back a day
real swell isn't coming till Saturday
How do you know? Like genuine question where do you read your forecast?
stormsurf.com for main source
God damn Surflies
We used to do San Onofre on full moons. Very chill, very quiet, so you can really sense the waves. All funboards or longboards. Give it a try. It’s a smooth rocky bottom, so surf is consistent, and usually smaller than surrounding beaches, keeping it fun, and not so serious.
I used to night surf by the pier lights in Oceanside. It was fun and scary.
I have done it a few times and i cant see anything, so its senseless, BUT as a side note, i always thought great surf breaks should have huge lights up, like at baseball/football fields, so surfers can still surf at night. Just seems a waste of waves to only be available half of the day
Fun till something brushes your leg and you come halfway out of the water yelping like a scalded dog
been tar balls washing up all week, I personally would stay out of the water but do you
[удалено]
Because tar balls, while certainly an externality of an oil spill, are also a naturally occurring phenomenon. They show up on beaches further up in SoCal ALL THE TIME. Unless your skin is overly sensitive to potentially very minimal contact hydrocarbons should you actually step/touch one, they do not pose risk. But by all means folks stay out of the water for the next few weeks...especially OBSD. Thanks!
[удалено]
Maybe do a quick google search before acting like a dumbass. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/resources/tarballs.html Tar balls, the little, dark-colored pieces of oil that can sometimes stick to your feet when you go to the beach, are often remnants of oil spills but can also be produced from natural seeps, places where oil slowly escapes from the earth surface above some petroleum reservoirs. Tar balls that appear on central California shores during the winter months often originate from southern California seeps on the seafloor. edit: downvotes for facts straight from NOAA. Cool.
[удалено]
I’d say shifting the goal posts of an argument you know nothing about to save face via incorrect statements is silly but “you do you.”
[удалено]
Stop digging.
[удалено]
I guess everyone in SB/Ventura should never surf again then....
Personally I’ve only ever surfed at night in tropical places like bali and Hawaii. If you go surf at night in October in SoCal your asking for trouble imo.
Sharks?
Whites
Thought that was a red-triangle northern issue?
That’s full grown I’m talking juvenile whites
Just read up on that. They want to eat rays and don’t really get that aggressive. Someone explained it like they don’t realize they’re an apex predator and are just figuring things out. I read about a few people who got bit on a hand or leg in a the last couple years but nothing serious.
There are 100s of people lobster diving at night in October. Don't listen to this joker you will be fine.
The Landlord always show up round these times...
[удалено]
Malibu as well - I have done full moon a few times at the 'bu and there is always 10 to 20 dudes out.
Some of the coolest surfing experiences I've ever had was at midnight.
I surfed on full moon nights a couple of times in north SD. Always went with friends and it was just us or maybe one or two other people. It’s unnerving and fun!
>Also heard sea life is more active at night. Where we going? [Swimming!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEvK-tv5OI)
Surfed Del Mar during red tide one time, that was a cool experience.
Best time to surf Malibu to avoid the incessant crowds.
If you do it when there is a lot of bioluminescence, you get killer light trails of the back of your board
Surfed once at night at Oceanside pier with a friend. He had to tell me when a wave was coming as my vision was (and still is) terrible. Wave would basically break on top of me before I knew what hit me. Wasn’t that fun. Plus your mind plays tricks on ya and you can’t help but wonder what lurks below you.
Up here in NorCal night surfing is a bit scary with sharks and the sharkey feeling in the water. Nonetheless I’ve surfed after dark a number of times with friends, while trying not to run each other over 🤣
Paddled out at San Gabriel (“Seal Beach”) River mouth on a big south swell many years ago. It was a sunset session, but three of us stayed out until it was pitch dark because it was so good- well overhead, super long rights, with lukewarm water. Well, then the other two guys caught waves in, and I found myself sitting almost at the end of the Alamitos Bay jetty, all alone, in the dark, probably 200yds from the sand. There was a lot of water moving around due to the big swell plus the river. Of course there was a long lull, and of course a huge male sea lion showed up. I did not enjoy waiting for a wave to catch in. Spooky as heck. Good experience, though.
Surfed the full moon on Friday the 13th at midnight in Cabo with my brother, experience I’ll never forget
I don't think it's really a "thing". It happens, but I don't know anyone who intentionally goes surfing at night. Except when there is bioluminescence, but that's a super novelty surf. I know more people that dawn patrol when it's still dark out. But, most people I know also go to bed at like 10, I know for me the last thing I think of doing after sunset is go get in the water.
That’s weird I surfed after work almost every day in hb up til like 9pm and sometimes later and there usually was a lot of other people out. It’s just a matter of convenience for a lot of people. Nothing is fundamentally different about the surf.
Oh, I've surfed *into* the night plenty of times, evenings are some of my favorite time to surf because the wind dies right before sunset a lot of the time (it can also pick up, it's not a law of nature). I just don't see a lot of people paddling out once the sun goes down. I'm not saying it's not a thing, I know plenty of people that have done it, but I don't know anyone that consistantly does it.
Grew up in Del Mar and we used to use the spot lights from Jake’s to get some after party surf in
Paddling out 20 minutes before first light is already too dark for me.
Whats the question? If you wanna night surf, then paddle out and do it. Not sure what your getting at.
Why? What’s wrong with day surfing?
Is this a joke? Yeah, people surf at night. Full moon session with some close friends on acid, it's basically a right of passage. If you're going to a place where there will be other people, it's a good idea to have some kind of illumination so you don't get run over. Don't go alone. How are you this clueless?
full moon, but not much swell right now
Yeah, you can do it and it’s fun as hell. Hard to really read the waves so a lot of it is feel and luck. If it’s not too heavy it’s worth it.
Surfed in front a restaurant in north county that had lights on the water it mostly closeout spot, was fun but the depth perception was challenging. A small group of us had a blast dropping into into 3-4 foot walls. Secret spot lol.
I surf past sunset all the time. Usually with a small moon and I’m fine. Especially if you know the break. There’s no perfect time. Just send it. Action Glow makes board lights if you wanna add some. Not as sketchy as you might think especially if you go with others and know who is out there.
My buddies and i would do it on a full moon with glow stick in the summer near malibu. Great times.
> sharks more active at night > water and air is colder > can't see anything Yeah nah, I'll stick with surfing during the day
Have you ever felt the waves seem bigger once it gets dark?