The best ways, and spots, to get wet

Mike Sciacca

It’s nearly time. Full suits are giving way to spring suits, and board

shorts will soon be all you see when you hit the beaches.

When it comes to water sports, there is a plethora of ways to whet

your wild in Huntington Beach.

You can surf just about anywhere up and down the Huntington coast, but

certain spots outrank others. No matter where you surf, however, one

thing is certain: summertime translates to south swells.

Surfers are advised to get in the water early on the south side of the

Huntington Beach Pier before the “blackball” comes out around 11 a.m.

Once that happens, surfers are forced to the north side of the pier.

Once the blackball takes effect only swimmers and foam board riders

can use the south side, making the north side one of the best and most

competitive surf spots. Many contend the north side offers Southern

California’s best waves during the summer. On a strong, south swell, the

long walls on the south side will offer great surf on the north side.

There are a few other popular surf spots along our stretch of beaches

that can offer better rides than those at the Pier -- one of them is the

cove. The surf gets picked up at this spot at the cliffs.

One rule of thumb: remember to respect all the locals and share the

water.

It has been noted by a few local surf “experts” that more waves are

ridden in Huntington Beach than any other popular surf spot in the world.

But if surfing isn’t for you, don’t stay dry.

Skim board enthusiasts also vie in the waters on the south side of the

Huntington Beach Pier. After the area has been blackballed to surfers --

no knee, long or short boarding is allowed, and Huntington Beach

lifeguards strictly enforce a blackball situation -- body boarders and

body surfers take over the area.

There are some decent skim boarding opportunities at low tide for

long, smooth rides on the smooth, sandy beaches. But the state of the art

of skim boarding is high tide, shore break, and that can be found

throughout town.

It is a hard board, so follow the blackball rules and watch out for

little children playing at the shoreline.

On those windy days when the surf is blown out you may want to try

windsurfing. The art of windsurfing has attracted more first-time

participants than ever this year. Although Seal Beach is a well-known hot

spot for windsurfing, the best locations in Huntington Beach are the

waters that run along Bolsa Chica Beach and neighboring Sunset Beach.

High, afternoon winds blow the surf out like clockwork during the summer

months.

If you feel even more daring, Kite surfing is somewhat new in town and

is gaining in popularity. One of the top spots, locally, for the sport is

Bolsa Chica State Beach, where kite surfers and windsurfers can be seen

intermingling on a windy afternoon. Huntington Beach lifeguard Danny

Kaiahua was one of the first locals to give kite surfing a go in Surf

City.

Regardless of the wind factor another way to work Huntington waters is

by kayak. You can kayak along the beach, but crowded waters can translate

to collisions with surfers. Be sure to check out the conditions of the

water and waves before venturing out. You can kayak out at Seapoint

Avenue, between Cliffs and Bolsa Chica State Beach.

A great spot for kayaking is the back bay area of Huntington Harbour.

Beautiful homes dot the channels and signs are posted to inform you where

you can and cannot venture. There is friendly Harbour Patrol on the water

for assistance and enforcing safety. You can rent a kayak at nearby

Malibu Ocean Sports Kayak on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach. They

manufacture kayaks, and a one hour rental is $8, with two hours of free

use added to the rental.

COMPETING IN THE WATER

When it comes to water competition, Surf City ranks up there with the

best in the world. Both professional and amateur surfers will have plenty

of opportunities this summer to display their talents.

One of the biggest surfing events in the world takes place in Surf

City. The 2002 Philips Fusion US Open of Surfing and Beach Games will

come to town July 27 through Aug. 4. The event attracts some of the best

surfers from around the globe.

But for the amateurs out there, the Del Taco Huntington Beach

Pro/Junior Surf Series will take place at the south side of the pier each

month through out the summer. For the eighth year, Orange County’s elite

Pro/Am surfing event will showcase the rising stars of surfing, both

professional and amateur. The three-day event will offer competition in

nine divisions, seven of which are open to amateur competitors. Upcoming

summer surf series dates are June 7-9, July 12-14 and Sept. 13-15.

Register early to ensure a spot in each of the weekend events.

Bluetorch also will offer the Bluetorch Bodyboard Surfing Contest on

the weekend of June 14-16.

There’s yet another chance to test the waters with the 32nd annual

Summer Surf Contest, offered through the City of Huntington Beach. The

Sept. 7-8 contest is open to residents who reside within the Huntington

Beach Union High School District.

If surfing’s not your style, then give freestyle swimming a shot. The

52nd annual Huntington Beach Open “Rough Water” Pier Swim will take place

on June 22. Billed as one of the first regular ocean swims of the season,

the pier swim, which is open to the public, will offer competition for

men and women from 16 to 60 and beyond, and a junior competition for

competitors ages 12 to 15.

For the water enthusiast who may not want to get wet, fishing also is

allowed on the pier and for children, the Huck Finn Fishing Derby will

take place on the pier Aug. 15.

For more power on the water, consider taking in the Offshore Grand

Prix, a professional powerboat race that will take place Aug 17-18 at

Peter’s Landing.