Season's First Real South Swells Hits Santa Cruz. Yipee.

The season's first real south lights up Steamers Lane in Santa Cruz.

Every summer, central coast surfers wonder if they will be blessed with a few a consistent period of south swells, or if they will be looking north for any meager wind swell because the groundswells from the other hemisphere are not delivering.  March, April and May had seen a little bit of south energy dribbling into Santa Cruz, but not much bigger than thigh high.  Perhaps a few hours of head high surf during the best periods here and there.  Still, that was to be expected when it is really still the end of the winter season up here.  On May 19th, things turned on and a solid 4'+@20 second swell arrived from due south.

One, Two.  Could not decide which shot better gave a sense for the day.

This was the first real south of this season.  What Stormsurf called #1S.  It sure seemed real to those who got a taste of it.  After what had been weeks, or even a month of mostly small and weaker surf, not too many were going to miss this one.  People were ready, and the buzz on the cliff was high.  One woman kept on giggling from excitement whenever a set passed through.  And if the waves were not enough, a whale decided to head out of the bay just 50 yards outside of the line up.  It was a good morning.

A whale  migrating north for the summer adds some extra action to the lineup.

Steamers Lane was looking pretty fun on Thursday morning, with the better sets pushing a solid six feet.  The pack had not really yet gotten on the swell, so there were only twenty surfers or so vying for the peak. A heavy fog and significant warble may have also kept some out of the water, hoping for fair conditions later in the day.  But by the time the sun broke out, the wind had picked up in full force.

Monday still had some waves in the waist to head high range.

The 20th was the peak of this swell, and a modest north 13 second period swell arrived as well.  Things were pumping and most spots were crowded, as strong northwest winds kept most folks surfing in town.  A few points just out of town had decent windblown surf, but you might have preferred to be using a kite.  Still, if you like surfing with just two other people, this was the call.  Town was crowded.  And good.  Rumor had it that on Pleasure Point, waves were starting around First Peak and wrapping all of the way past the stairs.

Just enough juice for those smaller, lighter, quicker groms to get some lift.

Both swells dropped a bit by Saturday with periods running around 12-14 seconds.  Sunday was even smaller, but at the right spots one could still find a few head high waves.  Not to worry though, as reinforcements arrived from the north early Monday morning with some 5'@17 second swell recorded at the deep water buoy.  Again from a northerly angle, so not much of that was making its way into town.  The Lane was still scoring some fun surf with the better sets pushing about chest to head high.

It was pretty windy across the point, but once around the corner, it got smooth.

More south swell should fill in this evening and stick around for a few more days.  Perhaps another smaller on for the holiday weekend.  Another round or two of north swell will fill in through the week.  Those winds may even die down a bit and allow those of us who like to wander, to head up north.  If that happens, we could see some overhead surf.  Hell, with the north swells expected, one could even find good waves down in the bay.  It is looking that May will end on a good note.

More surf on tap through the week.  Not too bad for later May.  Perhaps this summer will be good.