Santa Barbara Area Surf Report

May Overview | 1996 Overview


Date/Time:
Wednesday, May 8th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location:
Bates Beach
Weather:
Sunny and warm, with local SE winds blowing off the back of the point.
Conditions:
Fair, a lot of windswell lumpishness but decently groomed.
Swell:
Peaky and fun W windswell, around chest high.
Comments:
It was blown out again up in Goleta by my apartment, and I almost didn't try the drive down... glad I did!

Several peaks were scattered around the beach, I surfed around 50 yds north of the stairs, getting both rights and lefts. Waves would either pop up and pitch on the outside sandbar or fade off and break in the shorebreak. Usually a steep drop followed by a fast, difficult to make section that still threw some nice lips to hit.

A pod of frolicking dolphins drifted slowly through the lineup, taking time out from thrashing around and jumping to occasionally pick off a set wave on the shoulder. Such fast, sleek creatures...

Wore the new springsuit (a Christmas gift) for the first time. More flexible and warmer than my old springer and definitely a release from the fullsuit I'd been wearing since mid-October.

Thursday should be more of the same, with potential for late afternoon offshores and sundowners.


Santa Barbara Surfing -- Last updated 6/12/96.