A simple photograph does not make the whole reality picture come into play. Hello, We had many unusual surf encounters on our various surfing road trips North and South from our home in Long Beach. Going South was our first choice all year as the breaks were good for just about any swell direction. But, going North to the Los Angeles’ South Bay beaches was pick and choose, only if we found out a good West or Northwest swell was on its way or is arriving by the time we got there. Actually, the Los Angeles South Bay beaches were closer than the Orange County beaches from our Westside of Long Beach location. Piers always were attractions, as the sand build up offers some unusual wave breaking spots. This location is the center of Redondo Beach. The PCH highway runs right past the beginnings of the pier area. But, it is not just a pier with pilings running straight out from the shoreline, like the long Huntington Beach Pier in Orange County. Our favorite place in the L.A. South Bay coastal area was Palos Verdes point break called Haggerty’s Point in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area. It had great surf and the rides were good shaped and fairly long rides. If we got there early, the point was empty and the surf encounter was fun and exciting. But, the locals made outsiders not as welcome as possible. While walking down the beachside trail, flying debris was noticed in an unusual way. But, the surfing was good, while we were respected for our skills and wave riding in any size waves. But, when we continued to explore other surf breaks along the West facing shoreline, we came upon an unusual pier. Most piers are straight out from the shore line and usually had surf on both sides. We knew of a Long Beach pier that was called the Rainbow Pier and it was the only circular pier in all of coastal California. Cars were allowed to drive around the curving pier as an attraction. In high school, it was a late night attraction for all involved. Moonlight, fairly calm ocean/harbor waters and a nice hot rod to enjoy a warm summer evening… Jnaki In the Los Angeles South Bay shoreline was their version of a semi circular pier with shops and restaurants on the top of the decking. No driving was allowed, but below were sandy beaches with waves rolling under the legs of the pier. The Long Beach Rainbow Pier had calm waters inside of the circular pier. Calm enough for rental boats for the general public and no waves were allowed inside of the circular pier. On big swell days, the Redondo Beach Pier shook with the waves bashing the pilings and under the pier boards. But, on smaller wave days and the right swell direction, the waves inside of the circular pier were ridable. We were lucky to have surfed those waves several times and each time it was fun to surf near a pier, while being watched by people on the pier and from inside of the restaurants on top of the pier structure. It was like an arena for surfing skills. The waves were fun and the rides memorable. Note: As little notoriety given to the waves under the circular Redondo Beach pier, just around the harbor was a place called the Redondo Breakwater that was always noted for large waves and fast rides. On the right swell during the winter months, the waves mimic larger waves people associate with waves in Hawaii. Very few folks go sailing during the big wave days, but the entrance to the boat harbor also has waves usually closing the entrance. My wife and I sailed out of the Redondo Beach Harbor in a 28 foot sailboat in some rough winds and swells that looked like trouble. Luckily, we made it to the Santa Monica Pier and back safely, but rather quickly, due to the incessant windy conditions. It was one of those days where the sailboat would go down a trough between swells and the beach coastal view disappears. What??? It was one memorable sailing adventure in a fairly small sailboat, very windy conditions, and large swells. We had to spend the afternoon taking a well deserved nap after the harrowing sailing adventure… YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
