The first month in a fairly weak winter. High pressure conditions dominated and our storms developed a pattern of roaring up to the dateline and then dissipating, giving us some strong long-period WNW action but nothing really solid or consistent. Many swells peaked in a 3 to 6 hour timespan.

Highlights of the month were any time I manage to get a decent surf in. Conditions were classic for the entire month, sunny and mild, and no rain to speak of. Got a decent veranda on the Gaviota coast. The best moment of the month was surfing the entire point at Rincon in one wave again, this time a solid double overhead wall on my semi-gun.

Only nine reports this month, the fewest of any January in the archive and half as many as in 1997. Got good surf seven times, for a respectable good surf percentage of 77% (7/9). Rode the longboard twice and the semi-gun once. Average wave height was in the shoulder to head high range.

The Reports

January 23rd, Rincon January 22nd, Rincon January 20th, Rincon January 19th, Rincon January 17th, Stables

January 16th, Gaviota Coast January 12th, Rincon January 11th, C Street January 3rd, Gaviota Coast

Santa Barbara Surfing -- Last updated 2/7/1999.