Surfing Waves

Hey, I've been surfing for about 9 months now, so I'm still around the beginner/intermediate level. I know UCLA isn't an ideal surf school like UCSD/UCSC, but that's where I'll be headed this fall. Fingers are crossed that I get to bring my car with me to school, but if not I'll be using public transportation(terrible I know, but what else can I do?).

I've been told to avoid Santa Monica and Venice. El Porto was recommended to me by a friend. Problem is, I'm completely unfamiliar with the LA area. Could someone list out a couple of beginner/intermediate surf spots with directions? Thanks a ton!

edp,
can you relocate to UCSB? They've got two surf breaks on campus. That is two times what UCSD has!

Here is a list of breaks in or near LA that may be good for you (non-expert). I’ve provided the list, now you have to find them. Remember, don’t surf after first rain. The water will be full of contamination from the streets. There is reasonable bus route coverage in LA, but it is a very slow way to get around.

Abalone Cove
Bay Street Santa Monica
Burnout
El Porto
El Segundo Beach Jetty
Haggarty’s
Leo Carillo Park
Malaga Cove
Malibu
Manhatten 26th Street
Manhatten Beach Pier
North Side Leo
Ocean Park Santa Monica
Palos Verde – Bluff Cove
Rat Beach
Redondo Beach
Shark Harbor
Sunset
Torrance Beach, The Avenues
Venice – Rose Avenue
Venice Pier
Will Rogers Park
Zuma Beach

Thanks so much! How is the parking situation near those breaks? I'm almost afraid to ask.

EDIT: I already signed to UCLA so I can't relocate closer to the beach

Hi edp,
the parking varies. For example, it's really quite good at Leo Carillo park and Will Rogers park. It's pretty good at Zuma Beach and Manhatten Beach. It's OK in Malibu and Venice. It's bad at Sunset and El Segundo.

One thing for sure, you'll have some fun exploring these places.

UCLA has a nice campus. I've always enjoyed walking there. I like the big red brick staircase. Go up and down that 25 times every day and you will get stamina and muscles.

What is your selected major? What is your home town?
billie

Going in as a chem major.

I'm from San Diego, gonna miss the easy breaks in Encinitas and Oceanside. Would've gone to.UCSD but their campus life is dead. UCLA has everything I want in a school except for a nearby beach!

edp,
Chemistry is a good pursuit. Following Chem 101 and 102, you'll take organic chem. That course seperates the men from the boys. Don't miss out on taking a couple of thermal dynamics courses. Many students avoid them because they are not easy courses. Having them makes a big difference in getting and excelling in chemistry-oriented employment. It's very early to think about this, but after you get BS in chem or chem engineering, get an MS in chem engineering. This will make you highly employable. Another angle is to take lots of physics with your chem program. Then pursue an MS in physics or electrical engineering. This is another way to become highly employable.
billie

billie_morini wrote:edp,
Chemistry is a good pursuit. Following Chem 101 and 102, you'll take organic chem. That course seperates the men from the boys. Don't miss out on taking a couple of thermal dynamics courses. Many students avoid them because they are not easy courses. Having them makes a big difference in getting and excelling in chemistry-oriented employment. It's very early to think about this, but after you get BS in chem or chem engineering, get an MS in chem engineering. This will make you highly employable. Another angle is to take lots of physics with your chem program. Then pursue an MS in physics or electrical engineering. This is another way to become highly employable.
billie

WOW!!! Billie, that went way over my thick skull!! and some people i know think that most surfers are not intelligent.

edp5361 wrote:Thanks so much! How is the parking situation near those breaks? I'm almost afraid to ask.

EDIT: I already signed to UCLA so I can't relocate closer to the beach

Edp, Sunset is a good beginner beach, it's located on Sunset and PCH. It's point break and it's more forgiving than Bay St or Venice. Parking is free from 6am to 10 pm. Parking is usually easy to find during the week, a bit more challenging on the weekend.

It is rocky so you want to get booties.

Also check out UCLA marine aquatic center, they have surf sessions for students where they will take you to the beach to surf.

Bay St has parking meters that take CC,
Zuma is about 10dlls or street parking
Venice - Rose Ave is about 8-10 dlls of you come after 9.
El Porto has metered parking for up to 5hrs, and takes cc
Hollister St has 2hrs parking for 2 dlls.

IMinCA wrote:Bay St has parking meters that take CC,
Zuma is about 10dlls or street parking
Venice - Rose Ave is about 8-10 dlls of you come after 9.
El Porto has metered parking for up to 5hrs, and takes cc
Hollister St has 2hrs parking for 2 dlls.

Wow thanks! I'm planning a trip sometime in July to try out some of these spots with my friends before they move out for college. This will be super helpful.

I'm assuming most of you guys live/lived in LA at some point?

Hi edp,
All of the detailed parking information was provided by IMinCA. He/she surfs at Venice and Santa Monica. Therefore, he/she live/lived in LA. I (billie_morini) have not live/lived in LA. I go through it all the time (residence north of it in Santa Barbara & south of it in Irvine) and often go into LA for work. For a while, I had a surfing buddy at UCLA, too.
billie

So it looks like I don't qualify for a parking permit. I'll have to rely on public transport...I've been checking out the routes and you're not kidding when you say it's slow. 40 minutes just to get to Sunset!

Well, since I won't have a car, I have to start looking for bikes. Is there a specific kind of bike that would be appropriate to attach a surfboard carrier? I've only seen cruisers with carriers on them. I was looking at a fixie but I'm not sure if that's practical. For the most part, I'd just be using it to transport my board between bus/train rides.

Or should I just opt into just carrying around a padded day bag?

edp,
I'd get an average bicycle because the chance for theft is relatively high. It might be a 3-speed or 10-speed standard bike, cross over, or old mountain bike. These include a fixie and are more functional than single speed and cruiser style. WallMart has fixie's for $100. I bet at the campus you can find a used bike that'll do for $50.

I don't have any personal experience with bike racks for carrying surf boards. However, do this:
1. Log-in to our forum
2. Search "bike rack"
3. Review any of the threads that interest you. I promise you will:
a. get may hits for this topic in the forum
b. even find plans for fabricating a bike rack yourself

Idea: see whether the UCLA surfing club is active. Here are some websites:
http://www.facebook.com/UCLASurfTeam
http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/surfing-l

Hah I thought about making my own but I'm not that handy. I'll stick to premade ones

I've researched the UCLA Surf Team in the past and unfortunately it hasn't been active in a while. Sucks too, I was crossing my fingers that they'd have a carpool open every so often.

Right now I'm desperate for a parking space. I'll be stalking craigslist for people renting out their apartment lots for the next few weeks! I'll let you guys know how that goes.

billie_morini wrote:Hi edp,
All of the detailed parking information was provided by IMinCA. He/she surfs at Venice and Santa Monica. Therefore, he/she live/lived in LA. I (billie_morini) have not live/lived in LA. I go through it all the time (residence north of it in Santa Barbara & south of it in Irvine) and often go into LA for work. For a while, I had a surfing buddy at UCLA, too.
billie

Billie is correct. I live in L.A and Santa Monica vicinity is my local break.