Surfing Laguna: Solid swell ahead

Few things in life elicit the type of joy a surfer experiences when a solid swell is headed for their local beach and as such, slight variations in behavior should be expected from family members

Have you noticed the surfer in your family searching through the garage, attic or back yard for their “big” wave board, “gun” or “rhino chaser” as they are often referred to?

Have you had the local surfboard shaper over for dinner and drinks this week?

Any older gents seen being especially diligent this week with stretching the old limbs and or hitting up the chiropractor?

Young surfers usually gorge themselves on surf videos to further attain maximum amping, systematically unleashing fury on many water-based ramps and caverns.

Or perhaps some of the scheduled activities (as in chores) slated for this weekend are getting bumped until further notice.

Why all this odd behavior, you ask? Big swells don’t happen very frequently here in Southern California, and when you factor in clean conditions too “” very rare.

This weekend is supposed to be well overhead with a powerful south by southwest swell headed right at our strip of coastline and in the process lighting up spots that haven’t seen action in many months.

So if you have an experienced surfer in the family this might be the weekend to head down to the coast and see what it is that causes so much pleasure for your amphibious mate, son or daughter “” not to mention your overgrown lawn.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident, and father of four surf-crazy sons. He can be reached at chris@soulsurfingschool.com or (949) 497-5918.