West swell pumps up West Newport

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Forecasters say to take advantage of this weekend’s

weather that includes top-notch surf conditions thanks to a storm off of

the Northern California coast.

Surfers headed to West Newport on Friday where swells from the west were

pitching waves between five and seven feet. A low-pressure system that

dumped rain across the Bay Area moved south, causing the good surf.

“This is a good time of year to catch some good waves,” said Nathan

Lundstrom of Dana Point, who just finished a day of surfing. “You just

listen to the radio or television and find out about the surf conditions.

They said it was going to be good, and it pretty much has lived up to its

billing.”

Most of Newport beaches favor south to southwest swells, especially the

body surfing favorite, the Wedge. But the Wedge wasn’t a great

destination Friday because the swells were coming from the west.

The forecast calls for good waves until Saturday night when another

low-pressure system off the coast begins to dissipate.

Add to that continuing Santa Ana winds, and there will be some fun waves

drawing surfers to Newport.

“The waves are glassy and near perfect,” said Lt. Eric Bauer of the

Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department. “The waves will start to

decline by Saturday night, but most will be chest to head high. It’s

going to be a nice weekend, and we expect more people.”