Endless summer

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- High temperatures and the rumor of good surfing

conditions brought about 100,000 people to the beaches this weekend, an

unusually large crowd for this time of year.

While the totals pale in comparison to figures posted during summer

weekends, Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department had to call in 15

employees this weekend to work.

The big attraction was supposed to be large waves, a result of two storms

merging their force off the coast. But the surf wasn’t as great as it was

predicted to be. Most swells were between four and six feet, with an

occasional eight-foot set. The same was said for the popular bodysurfing

spot, The Wedge, which registered similar showings.

“It wasn’t like two years ago when we had El Nino and Hurricane Linda

bringing us good waves,” said Marine Safety Supervisor Brent Jacobsen.

“We were lucky to punch it over 10 feet this summer. I think the surf

this weekend looks bigger than it actually is.”

Surfers agree they were cheated out of big waves this summer, but that

didn’t stop them from taking on whatever Mother Nature offered this

weekend. Dale Bradbury and his friends headed out to West Newport on

Sunday, where they found the water occupied by many other thrill seekers.

Bradbury said after a morning of surfing, he and his buddies were

planning to try again after they got a bite to eat.

“It’s been pretty nice out there ... some good form,” he said. “But what

the weather forecasters were predicting didn’t come. All we can do is

keep coming back for more.”

Jacobsen said the number of beach-goers is higher than normal at this

time of year. It was obvious from the clear skies and warm temperatures

hovering in the high 80s that beach-goers were soaking in as much sun as

they could before the winter cold sets in.

“It seems like the nights are getting chilly but during the day it is

very warm,” said Michelle Williams, who was lying out with a friend near

Balboa Pier. “I hate this time of the year because the days are much

shorter. That means I have to wake up earlier.”

Jacobsen reported a handful of rescues on both days but nothing out of

the ordinary.

“The number of people isn’t something we usually see in October,” he

said. “But we live in California. It’s always possible for big crowds.”