Dude! A Swell to Remember
As the rain returned to Santa Barbara County last week, so too did the great Hanukkah Swell of 2007 start to fade. But what a ride it was. For three straight days, the nooks and crannies, cobblestone points, and semi-secret rock reef shelves that we 805 wave sliders call home went absolutely bonkers. The town was abuzz with talk of the swell-it dominated area news coverage and held up traffic on the 101 as rubbernecking lookie-loos gawked at Mother Nature showing off. Hundreds from outside the 805 descended to sample some of our nectar, and they weren’t disappointed. From Rincon to Gaviota, Hanukkah presents were being unwrapped by all as the waves ran the gamut from playful and perfect to huge and deadly. Even Kelly Slater, arguably the greatest surfer alive, flew into town and scored sessions at Rincon, Sandspit, Campus Point, and El Capitan. Slater turned heads, complained about the crowds at Rincon, took a beating at Campus Point, and ruled up top at El Cap in a way only he can do.
Currently, the North Pacific looks to be catching its breath. Until the next time Mother Nature flexes her muscle, be good, share your waves, and pick up your trash. The ocean needs us these days just as much as we need her. Aloha.
