Dawn Patrol:

The parade of sizable northwest swells continues.

We’ve had the biggest, most consistent surf of any winter I can remember and we’re not finished yet. Think of all the mega-swells we’ve heard about that have hit Hawaii since the Triple Crown season in November, and all the Todos Santos and Mavericks sessions — probably more than two or three average seasons combined, and of course we’ve had our share of waves here in SoCal.

Midweek I made a trip to San Diego. Trestles and Church had some size and looked good on the way down, but when I got to La Jolla it was double overhead.

Between North Bird and PB Point there were all kinds of cloud-break reefs feathering at what had to be at least 300 yards offshore.

A lot of water was moving and there were virtually no lulls, only somewhat smaller sets.

At one point in my junket I found myself on a, “Scenic Route North,” I’d never taken before and got a spectacular elevated view of the La Jolla Cove breaking in the distance.

It was a bright, sunny day and that has to be one of the most beautiful surfing areas anywhere, whether you’re in the water or on the shore.

I’m happy to have all the rain we’re getting along with the good waves, but it does present some challenges.

Earlier in the week, after the weekend downpour, I talked with some city workers who were raking piles of flotsam near the Newport pier.

Some had been pressed into service from other departments to help with the cleanup effort, and if you’ve seen the enormous amount of debris left on the beach by any of these storms, you’ll appreciate what a task it is.

I learned that the refuse is hauled up the beach to a collection area at Orange Street in West Newport. From there, contractors then truck it to the dump.

I was checking out the Santa Ana River mouth Thursday and ran into Jim Auger from the Newport’s Operations Support group. He told me they had removed over 600 tons of debris so far.

Newport is fighting a two-front war because it gets the river runoff that drifts south onto the ocean beaches, and the flotsam flowing into the harbor from Irvine and points inland.

I was out in the bay Saturday and there were huge drifts of debris all over the turning basin.

Jim said this stuff ends up on either side of Balboa Island where equipment can’t be deployed and hand raking is required.

I think they’re doing a great job of cleanup, and you have to consider that city staff is at a minimum.

On a closing note, local surfer and photographer Rick Chatillon’s much anticipated surfing documentary, “Living it Forever”, officially has been accepted by the Newport Beach Film Festival and will show as part of its Action Sports series.

The premier’s venue and dates are still to be determined but I’ll keep you updated.

JOHN BURTON’S surf column appears Fridays. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected].