With high surf reported in O.C., surfers hit the beaches

Wednesday was the kind of day to go surfing.

Waves were high at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Wednesday afternoon, as they were along the rest of Orange County’s coastline. Earlier in the week officials warned of high surf and strong rip currents.

The National Weather Service in San Diego issued one such warning for Orange and San Diego counties through Thursday morning, as waves from 4 to 8 feet were expected.

People watch the surfers at the Wedge in Newport Beach.

(James Carbone)

Meteorologist Casey Oswant on Wednesday said reports had come in from across Orange County of waves in the higher range in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach around or above 6 feet. Oswant said an 8-foot wave was observed earlier in the week at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

The National Weather Service also warned of strong rip currents and advised inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water and warned those who did go swimming to stay near lifeguards.

Oswant said this kind of surf isn’t atypical for Orange County this time of year, as similar events tend to occur because of storm events in the South Pacific. She said this week’s swells could be attributed to a storm event near New Zealand.

A body surfer drops down on a big wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach. The National Weather Service put out a high surf advisory that will continue through Thursday.

(James Carbone)

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