Nor Cal Surf

Asmbandits · Sep 21, 2012

Ive been toying with the idea of surf riding now for a few years, would be nice to at least give it a try.. Problem is that ive heard its not legal on the northern CA coast but I cannot find any info on this anywhere.. I understand there are many protected areas but does anyone have any info on this?

Asmbandits · Sep 21, 2012

Found this> http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120505/ARTICLES/120509714 and its very recent, if there saying that you cant operate pwc south of the head of bodega bay then north should be game??

slamb33 · Sep 21, 2012

the only place to ride surf legally in norcal is Pismo (which isn't really norcal I don't think)

I hear speculation of other places way up north of SF where you could get away with it but that is more due to them being abandoned, not due to it being legal.

All of us from the bay area and norcal that want to ride surf drive to Pismo

you can see the norcal thread here: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/65534-NORCAL-StandUp-Crew/page57

Tyrant1919 · Sep 21, 2012

I used to launch out of Bodega Bay and fish for Salmon back in the day... 95'-03'. I would love to try it out there. Unfortunately I don't know of a legal place to go in the surf here in Nor Cal. I wish there was a simple map of where we could go on the Pacific coast. I can't find

for regulations of what's good or not good.

kraqus · Sep 21, 2012

Come to Pismo this Saturday....Grand Avenue entrance at 7AM
Surf will be perfect for you since you have never been to it.
Small waist size, perfect for take off with the occasional shoulder wall.

Steve,
We need to go check out some places up north.
I have the coordinates ;-)

Benny

Tyrant1919 · Sep 21, 2012

What coordinates, I want them!

kraqus · Sep 21, 2012

This is the California Coast Marine Sanctuary:
http://www.sanctuarysimon.org/

BIG FINE IF YOU GET CAUGHT RIDING A PWC IN THAT AREA.
However, The Cordell Bank (Look at the Map) ends by Bodega Bay.
I have heard of places to ride near Fort Bragg....

And some in between ;-)

Benny

kraqus · Sep 21, 2012

Tyrant1919 said:
What coordinates, I want them!

In time young Skywalker

Benny

Asmbandits · Sep 21, 2012

Yeah ive always wanted to ride pismo, cant go this weekend cuz im working

ive been scoping a spot on google earth past bodega bay, there is a nice spot where it looks like you could launch from a cart. im going to call the bodega bay coast guard today and ask what they think to feel it out..

slamb33 · Sep 21, 2012

let us know what you find out

Asmbandits said:
Yeah ive always wanted to ride pismo, cant go this weekend cuz im working ive been scoping a spot on google earth past bodega bay, there is a nice spot where it looks like you could launch from a cart. im going to call the bodega bay coast guard today and ask what they think to feel it out..

Asmbandits · Sep 21, 2012

OK! I have good news.. Talked with a volunteer at the bodega bay USCG station today, He was very polite and tried to give me the most info he could on the subject. I was told that as long as you were not riding in the protected sanctuary there is no other regulations he knows of banning pwc. As long as you followed the standard pwc/boating rules he did not think there would be any issue with the use of pwc. He then told me that he has witnessed people launching sittdowns from bodaga bay harbor and towing them with a dingy around the corner to the un protected area where they were used to tow surfers into the waves and no one troubled them for that. This is really exciting news as if you look on google earth you can see the beach around the corner and its very large, there is an area on the southern end of the beach that looks to be far away from any homes or access/swimmers that would have a problem with you being there. At the far northern end of the beach there are some prime areas for cart launching, id personally launch out of the small river there as to not create attention and also would be a nice small flush of fresh water when you come in for the day.. Im thinking of going for it, you could plead a good case to an official giving you trouble that you went out of your way to try to do things by the book and as far as you could find you were not violating any laws..

Tyrant1919 · Sep 21, 2012

I could make a day/two day trip to bodega way easier than pismo. I'm down to try next weekend.

Asmbandits · Sep 21, 2012

I couldnt make it next weekend as the engine if out of my fx1 atm and im waiting on a new motor mount that should be here next thursday at the latest, and I still have to fine tune and break in the freshly rebuilt engine so im heading to my fav spot for that next weekend. Wouldnt want to chance or deal with all that in the ocean.. id be down for the weekend after next, ski should be ready and hopefully I can get a hold of a beach cart by then if no one else that going has one. I would for sure have at least one other with me that would make the trip.

wavewarrior · Sep 21, 2012

Just go to the JK Pismo event Oct 12-14. If your new to surf, this would be a good fun, learning, hanging out experience for you. You would get to meet a lot of riders always helping each other out and the dangers the surf can do to you and your boat. Save that search spot till later until it can be done safely. Hows that pump hookup compare to a RN Superjet?

Asmbandits · Sep 22, 2012

I will see if I can make it to pismo then, sounds like good times. Yeah the hook on the fx1 with the 144 pump its great, I used a 144mm shoe as well and its running a 9/15 cutback and has prtotec exit and turn nozzles, freestyle cone... Compared to the RN its got a lil more bite but still very close, makes the ski perform so much better, especially with added power..

LesterLester · Sep 23, 2012

I want to go to the Pismo event in Oct. Who else is going? It will be my first time in the surf too. I'll probably camp at the beach as to save money on a motel. It would be great to meet up with some other local riders.

slamb33 · Sep 23, 2012

if you've never ridden surf I definitely would not just head out to bodega randomly without knowing the area or being with anyone with more surf experience. Pismo is where to start and learn for sure, with plenty of help around if you need it.

A random trip to an unknown surf spot as first ever surf ride is not the best idea....

Sparkplug · Sep 23, 2012

You can ride alot of places in cali. I ride Samoa Dunes in Humboldt County. According to California BLM, ANYWHERE that isnt protected, private, you can ride. Launching is a different story.

I rode my very first time in surf by myself. Just shore launched and didnt go far out. Not reccomended but its doable if you use common sense.

Asmbandits · Sep 23, 2012

Yeah I hear what everyone is saying, i'll play it safe and ride with a bunch of peps my first time. Im sure id be ok with another rider and some peps on the shore to overlook as I was planning, I ride a lot of SF bay and have been out there in the winter when the swell is huge, I free dive for abalone and also scuba not to far north from bodega so im familiar with the surf and the ocean just never been out on a ski.. We have had some fun in the surf with our dive boat a few times

Its going to have to be that someone checks out the bodega bay spot one of these days or we will never know, who knows could be one hell of a ride spot or one hell of a fine lol..

onenationundersmog · Oct 28, 2012

me and my buddy ride in humbolt bay theres waves that break in the bay right through the jetti. or you can ride right on the beach. plus its an ohv park so you can drive your truck right to the beach and launch. ohv park is in samoa right over the bay from eureka might be to far north for you.