Getting out in nature is most important during the time of Covid. However, if you are planning on going to the beach, going in the water might not be such a good idea.

In the past month, dangerous surf that has reached up to 30 feet struck the California coasts. The waves continue to persist into February. 

On Twitter, @NWSBayArea provides precautionary action for beach-goers, advising them to stay off coastal rocks and jetties, avoid dangerous steep beaches, keep a safe distance from the surf zone, keep children and pets out of the surf zone, and never turn their back on the ocean. 

Earlier this month, after his children were caught in a wave in Sonoma County, a man in his 40s died while attempting to rescue them from the dangerous surf. The two children remain lost. 

One SVHS student, Jack Turner, goes to the beach and notes that “the wind was extremely strong (20-25 knots) and blowing directly north, which is uncommon because it usually blows east” He describes the nature of the waves as “not huge but definitely messy because of the storm. They were probably between 3-6 feet.”

Turner drove to Pismo Beach in Santa Barbara to catch some waves, but claims, “the tide was out and it was too messy to get clean rides.” He plans on staying in Southern California for a few more days in hopes of encountering good surf.