Anybody new to surfing in So Cal may think that the ocean is quite nice to play around in these days as far as water temperature goes. It may be why there seems to be more people at the point with their Wave Storm surfboards paddling around with out a wetsuit on. The entry price for surfing is much lower if you don't need a wetsuit.

The past 4 months has been a great time to start surfing around here. Why? Because the water temperatures have been unusually high... down right pleasant.  The biggest deterrent to wanting to surf, besides no surf, is cold water. And we haven't had any cold water for awhile.

I had forgotten how nice it is to surf in warm water, being 10 years since moving back from the tropics.. 1. you don't have the restrictions in movement from a wetsuit.... I've been wearing a short john.... short leg sleeveless. 2. You can stay in the water a lot longer. I've been having 2 and 3 hour sessions without getting cold at all.... love that.

Of course no one knows how long these water temps will hang around. I'll put my bid in.... how 'bout forever?

I can't remember water temps to be this high, well maybe at the peak of summer, but into fall like now? never in the past 50 years. But maybe all the years of colder water has frozen some brain cells.

Is there any data on ocean temperatures over the years?  Been looking, but haven't found any. What I did find is average temps for the various locations along the California coast...... Average temps for October in Ventura.... 65 to 62. Today the Anacapa buoy read 73, and the  east Santa Barbra buoy read 73 as well. Can you say 10 degrees above average?

No complaints here.

D.R.