We’ve all been there: Wake up early knowing there’s a swell and you’re ready to chase it, even if that means sitting in a car for hours. One day last week, I packed the camera and chased a swell from Los Angeles up to Rincon expecting to be rewarded. Instead, I only found the place completely blown out with raging winds.
Then I got the call that El Porto — Los Angeles’ most popular beach break and a place not known for having the best conditions — was in rare form. Truth be told, the waves were amazing to watch, not surf. I was amazed when I pulled in the parking lot at what I was seeing: the same winds in the Santa Monica Bay were pushing strong offshore. And offshore winds at El Porto happen maybe a handful of times each year, but not like this.
