Big Waves (35 ft) in CA coming--your biggest seen?

[Jason Harris]

The would-be windy storm isn't going to impact the Central Valley with winds of any consequence, but in S. Ca there are predictions of around 60 with the high wind warning. More interesting are the notable high surf concerns for the N. CA coast (towards Eureka); check this out, and then share your most notable big wave stories (with pics?) with storms or otherwise. Interesting to see the remarks about parking lots:

--
..HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO 9 AM
PST FRIDAY...

A HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO 9 AM
PST FRIDAY.

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL
GENERATE LARGE AND LONG PERIOD SWELL THAT WILL ARRIVE IN THE
COASTAL WATERS BEGINNING EARLY CHRISTMAS DAY...AND PERSIST
THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY.

DEEP OCEAN SWELL OF 25 TO 30 FEET COMBINED WITH PERIODS OF AROUND
15 SECONDS WILL PRODUCE BREAKERS IN THE SURF ZONE BETWEEN 30 AND
35 FEET ALONG NORTHWEST FACING BEACHES. ADDITIONALLY...
ASTRONOMICAL HIGH TIDES WILL PEAK DURING THE MORNING AND LATE
NIGHT HOURS. THIS COMBINATION OF TIDES AND LARGE...LONG PERIOD
SWELL WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL OF COASTAL FLOODING. WAVES WILL
LIKELY RUN UP TO PLACES NORMALLY CONSIDERED A SAFE DISTANCE FROM
THE WATER...AND POSSIBLY INTO ADJACENT PARKING LOTS. THE POWER OF
THESE WAVES MAY EASILY WASH DEBRIS UP ONTO BEACHES OR PEOPLE OUT
TO SEA.

THOSE PLANNING ON VISITING AREA BEACHES THIS HOLIDAY ARE ADVISED
TO STAY CLEAR OF THE SURF ZONE AND AVOID JETTIES AND LOW LYING
AREAS ADJACENT TO THE BEACH.

A HIGH SURF WARNING INDICATES THAT DANGEROUS...BATTERING WAVES
WILL POUND THE SHORELINE. THIS WILL RESULT IN VERY DANGEROUS
SWIMMING CONDITIONS...AND DEADLY RIP CURRENTS.

 

[Jody Radzik]

Too bad it's too early for the Maverick's contest.

 

[Mike Krzywonski]

I was living here on the North Shore of Oahu when we experienced the historic "Big Wednesday" swell of Jan. 28, 1998. Largest wave faces were estimated at 80'!!! PBS released a documentary of the event titled Condition Black. It was too big for the famous Eddie Aikau big wave contest, as Waimea Bay was closed out! After officials closed the beach, a surfer was actually arrested for paddling out.

http://archives.starbulletin.com/98/02/09/features/story1.html
http://epod.usra.edu/archive/epodviewer.php3?oid=84288
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/conditionblack/

 

[R R Smith]

Here's a couple of pics from 12/24/2008 ... 20 to 25 footers at the entrance to Humboldt Bay in northern California. Without some hapless fishing boat or crazy surfer in the picture... it's hard to appreciate their size in the photos. The sea wall is in the foreground. Happy New Year! Bob