Tow-in surfing in OC? Esther goes off during rare west swells
February 26th, 2008, 4:14 pm · · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
Most of the time, the oil platform off the coast of Seal Beach sits in the horizon, hardly noticed by the people who frequent the surf.
But when a massive west swell hits – at just the right angle, with just the right force – oil platform Esther goes off.
The buzz on the sand in Seal Beach early morning on Monday was the huge surf offshore the day before, a rare sight that drew tow-in surfers who took on the 15-to 25-foot range waves visible from the shoreline.
The big surf came quick, pumping up from 2 feet to 20-foot faces in just a few hours. Surfline.com chief forecaster Sea
n Collins headed out on Jet-Skis with local surfers Tyler Collins, Taylor Pai, Brian vans Arsdale, and Jodie Nelson for the rare opportunity to tow-in surf.
The last time big waves caused major hype out there was Dec. 21, 2006, and it was years before that. The photo to the right is from that swell.
The surfers had a pretty big audience, with about 20 oil workers hooting at them, lifeguard boats, boats with paddle surfers cheering them on and others – but no other surfers, leaving this wet and wild playground all to themselves.
Taylor Pai, who surfs on the Huntington Beach High School surf team, said taking on waves with that much power and energy was exhilarating.
The did some practice runs to get down the drill of how they would be towed in, and watched the patterns of the swell for a while before getting started at about 1 p.m. They stayed out there until sundown.
“It was a lot of waiting and picking out the right one,” Pai said. “It was Mother Nature at work, at its finest moment.”
Pai said it was the first time he’d ever been towed into waves of this size.
“I am most definitely hooked,” he said. “Not many people get to do that. I’m so lucky.”
Thanks for all the comments on the photos – would be cool to get one of Esther breaking on this swell, so if you have one shoot it over to lconnelly@ocregister.com, and i’ll put it up on this blog! Be sure to leave your name so I can give you credit. Thanks!
This is for Brice - here’s some photos taken in other parts of the county during the swell.
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The article should clearly mention that the accompanying photo is from years ago NOT this week.
It does: “The last time big waves caused major hype out there was Dec. 21, 2006, and it was years before that. The photo to the right is from that swell.”
sweet! Would be nice to see some good pictures.
Sweet, such a big deal that it gets front page news, but no photo’s of yesterdays epic session.
haha Joe, still learning how to read I see
Former SB Life Guard Chief Tim Dorsey and Surf Commentator David Stanfield made the paddle out to Esther during a huge swell about fifteen years ago, or so. They encountered rough seas, sharks, and a monster paddle that at some point they probably wished that had never started. Dave took a waterproof disposable camera with him. Those are the only decent “up-close” photos that I have ever seen of Esther going off. The reason being is that when a big swell hits, most of the industry, surfers and photogs alike, head straight for known spots like Mavs, Goat Rock, or Cortez. The few locals that took advantage of Esther that day were on as much as a recon trip as a surf trip… PWC, PFD, rope, board, wax?… no time or space for a camera. But then again, they didn’t go there just to bring you back pictures.
Note: After sighting a sizable gray fin on the paddle back in, Tim and Dave were offered a ride by a passing boater. They took it!