Fingers Crossed for Dora...

Courtesy of NASA’s GOES Project

"Hurricane Dora swirled northward in the Pacific on Thursday as a powerful Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph (240 kph) that kept nearby coastal areas on alert." (Courtesy of The Associated Press). This is the headline I read after waking up today...

In my opinion hurricane swells are one of the few perks of Southern California summers. Many people find the summers here to be the best. They love warm(er) weather and water, along with the south swells that turn on certain heavy hitting spots. Personally I like Fall and Winter best. I find summers in Southern California to be inconsistent and crowded, plus the sun's angle of rise in the winter's make for phenomenal morning sessions.

The one thing since moving to California I have always looked forward to in regards to summertime is hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific. The intensity and direction of these swells is unmatched when all things fall into the same basket. In the past 10 years I can really only think of two really solid performers in this department. Every other system seemed to be like a old movie star throwing the first pitch at a baseball game, veering to the left or right, not quite hitting the mark or just not showing up at all.

Maybe we can get a few of these next week?

I am by no means a surf forecaster, I follow solspot for my day to day surf forecasting needs... Check here for the best in surf forecasting, lead by Adam Wright. From what the forecast is saying it sounds like Dora will head towards our swell window and diminish in strength just before crossing into the perfect position. With a hope and a beer, the storm will be strong enough to cross over the patch of cold water and still travel enough to slingshot some waves our way.

I am drooling with the thought of all of the surf spots that love hurricane swell... I will not say names, but I will be driving south from Los Angeles if things come to together this weekend with Dora and swell starts to light up our shore. Here's to hoping and waking up Monday-Tuesday to some corduroy hurricane south lines at your favorite spot.

Have a great day everyone, give a family member or good friend a call and show them you are thinking about them... Smile and appreciate everything around you.

Aloha - JP