Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (CAL (2024)

FAQs

Who has the most accurate surf report? ›

1. Surfline. Surfline provides accurate reports for thousands of spots all around the world and is one of the most comprehensive and progressive for surf forecasting on the internet.

Surf reports, like weather reports, are not always 100% accurate, as they constantly change based on the weather conditions. It's best to use multiple sources and local surfing knowledge to determine the most reliable surf reports for your area.

You will find Cottons at the northernmost point of San Onofre Beach, meaning you will have to walk pretty far to get there. Note that you won't get the best waves at Cottons most of the time. However, when the surf breaks at Cottons, you will find an interesting mixture of surfers.

At least 8 seconds of waves and longer for the swell to build momentum is essential in most places. The duration of these waves can be gauged by looking at how far the wave is breaking out beyond the curl or inside on tube sections.

Surfline has been the surf world's go-to for wave forecasting and surf reports since 1985, helping millions of surfers score better waves, more often.

Global surf forecasting firm Magic Seaweed (MSW) has announced it is losing its name as it merges with California-based Surfline. MSW, which was created in Kingsbridge, south Devon in 2002, was bought by Surfline in 2017.

How accurate are the 16 day forecasts: Generally speaking, the longer you go out in the forecast time, the less accurate the forecast will be. The accuracy of the longer range forecasts can vary based on region and the type of storm system generating the swell. One example is comparing the US East and West coasts.

As a start, you'd have to say that once we're getting into the 4-5 foot wave range, then that would be considered 'big' by most. But the size of the waves doesn't tell the whole story, and you may be able to handle swimming in bigger waves if other factors are in your favour.

Now, how this affects surfing?… Well, every break has it's favored tides, which is mainly due to the bathymetry of that specific break. However, usually most spots favor a 'low going high' or when the tide is on the rise, 'filling in'. This is the believed “tidal push” which may help the forward momentum of waves.

Lower Trestles resembles an artificial wave - it's reliable and handles both storm swells and wind swells.

Where does Kelly Slater surf in Florida? ›

Back in the '80s, a talented young Cocoa Beach, Florida, surf rat named Kelly Slater was looking for waves big enough to make him a better athlete. That quest led him an hour south to a legendary break at Sebastian Inlet called First Peak.

Tucked away in Southern California, just a bit south of Laguna Beach, you'll find San Clemente, a place that's all about surfing. It's a special place where surfing's biggest names and game changers have come from.

One of the best visual identifiers of a rip current is to look out for gaps between the waves. The calmer gap between waves may look safer for you to surf in but a small patch of calm water in an otherwise choppy sea is often a rip current. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches.

8-10 second swell period: These are typically medium distance swells. This period starts to roll in from hurricanes and other pressure systems. This swell period usually includes good conditions and is organized, making it ideal for Folly Beach.

The closest competitor to surfline.com is surf-forecast.com.

3 = POOR: Poor surf with some (30%) FAIR waves to ride. 4 = POOR to FAIR: Generally poor surf many (50%) FAIR waves to ride. 5 = FAIR: Very average surf with most (70%) waves rideable. 6 = FAIR to GOOD: Fair surf with some (30%) GOOD waves.

1. Chapter I - Sea Monsters. After discovering Nazaré, Portugal's monstrous swells, pro surfer Garrett McNamara sets out to achieve his dream of riding a 100-foot wave.