Ocean Beach Surfing Raw | San Francisco, CA

Raw surfing video clips of Ocean Beach in San Francisco, CA 12-27-16
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Surfers: Kolohe Andino, Luke Davis, Ian Crane
Film/Edit by Jeff Chavolla
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[@AnonYmous-be9vw]

THE craziest thing I ever did was paddle out at triple overhead Ocean Beach with my bodyboard, fins, and swim trunks, . I lived in the East Bay at the time, and the drive to Ocean Beach was long (and expensive). I realized I'd left my wetsuit at home, and as I looked at the surf, I realized it was possibly the biggest waves I'd ever seen. Clean, A-frame, relatively mellow but with plenty of top to bottom, scale defying waves with a few people out. I jumped in the winter water in my trunks, numbingly cold but not so bad I got ice cream headaches when diving under waves. I made my way out to the lineup relatively unscathed. The entire time in the lineup was spent paddling at a sprint out to sea because the horizon was choked with tall, dark corduroy that looked steep enough to break. The thought of getting caught inside was terrifying. Looking down from the top of the waves was like looking at the ground while standing on the rail of a 2 story building. I paddled into 3 waves that day. I never made it to the bottom, but on the last wave I rode it to the shoulder before paddling the rest of the way in. When I got out of the water, my legs were jiggly in part to the hypothermia. The session was done after about 45 minutes.

[@bonsummers2657]

damn

[@mattchilds6848]

That's gnarly! Water is super cold.

[@dischargesummary8794]

Invigorating

[@mikesuzio2566]

lol my surfing session would have lasted 30-40 seconds....triple overhead Too big lets go south to LA/san Diego for surf 4-6 feet

[@naomiishii1995]

@@mikesuzio2566 on my girlfriend's account, but 5-8 feet terrifies me I can't imaging going out in what looks like 8-11 foot surf

[@marciomiranda9212]

Perfect waves show.....

[@henryssurfshowcase]

I think you guys deserve an award for surfing out there, never mind the sharks!

[@theskepticalskeptic]

Definately a sketchy paddle out- and the big fish issue- RESPECT

[@robertcochrane1554]

Classic, cold and awesomely consistent - love me some OB San Francisco.

[@LorenzoRM85]

although i don't surf, i lived in the sunset and it really is a great place.

[@fergferguson7370]

The bigger it gets the better the wave....problem is the paddle beat down..rips and current like the Colorado river.

[@danielbenfreeman]

Keeps the kooks away.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

I have surfed here many times, it’s a spooky place with very cold water and the constant thought of great whites coming up from the dark green water which is spooky when your taking grinds paddling out or being held down after a wipeout. There’s strong currents as well.

[@tyronelannister9922]

I'd never figure out how those waves dont kill you, shit looks like it will suck you in

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Tyrone Lannister You definitely need to be in shape and know where the channels are. Cold water is the worst, it really takes it out of you.

[@tonysworld2340]

The Last Rebel Show what part of frisco is this

[@Psydo]

@@tonysworld2340 it's located in the mission district

[@PlaySA]

Thanks for this. I've had some amazing waves at ocean beach, during the winter that shit can get massive and extremely powerful. I've also nearly drowned two times and suffered broken leashes and a broken board. It reminds me of Puerto or some of the beachbreaks down in Santa Cruz and Monterey.

[@surfcrs]

Nice! I got hammered out there a few weeks ago and ended up with a massive sinus infection. All cleared up now and got out this morning, pretty swamped at high tide but nice offshore wind...and much smaller which is OK for me.

[@paulhetherington3854]

O'-- Say, OI HAW! Dear ol, San Francisco! Don't call me, Francisco then! In my, own video-- my island! Or Healy, damn fools.

[@marvinacklin792]

Great video! I surfed in the mid 70's on a 7'6 gun I brought from Hawaii. On days like this the conditions were pristine.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

I have surfed here many times. It’s the spookiest place ever. You go under the waves in ice cold green water that turns to compleat darkness. You can’t see anything and you get a sense a Great White is watching and may taste test you at any moment. Very strong currents and under tow. Other than that its cool. 😂👍

[@dfrank5182]

Totally that way. I dig it.

[@gwall4603]

Heck yes! I love The Beach. I have way more sharky spots in mind tho. OB I don’t trip unless I made it out passed 3rd bar in January. I’m not thinking about sharks then tho.

[@belenyer7759]

I want to become a surfer and thankfully I'm moving to San Francisco, now how do you deal with thought of Great White (I can say Im scared of them, still a beautiful animal) begin close by and also since i am a beginner do you recommend Ocean Beach to get me started??

[@bay9135]

Belenyer77 hell to the nooo, the water is freezing, strong currents and sometimes rips can form . The waves can be massive in winter. Also if you’re a beginner I advise you to start surfing white waves. Start with some paddling exercises and then study your pop up. Good luckkkk

[@edwinatollstoy4837]

Well the good thing is if you are beginner you will not be able to paddle out there no matter how strong you are because if there was a channel or rip to speed you through the impact zone you would probably die or have to be rescued on a day like the one in this video.

[@dennisralph2199]

This crew would be locals anywhere!

[@vbsand5882]

Rode these waves all the time in the early 80’s instead of going to Washington HS up the street.

[@cloudbreak14]

@2:23 Finally, a decent shot of the boat... smh

[@superorangeish]

The unsung heroes of the coast..and not making exploitative commercial, "check me out" videos.Kudos

[@gavinwolfe4460]

Thank you! Not enough ocean beach vids.

[@pwengineering9070]

Its frustrating watching these guys drop in, then kick out...lotsa good surfing left on most these waves.

[@chrissflesher]

In their defense, this isn't Trestles. The waves may be amazing, but when you're caught inside here, you could end up duck diving 20-30 significant waves.

[@Honestly__now]

@@chrissflesher Exactly - the Beach kick out. Or U-turn. When its big (this is approaching that scarry realm) unless you are supremely skilled just go as fast as you can carve as much as you can, Duck in a barrel if you dare and are lucky and paddle your ass off back out. Its a misearable paddle through white water galore and pounding unpredictable san bars.. You play chicken till you line one up and have the guts to paddle as hard as you can into a frozen churning liquid speed.... Heaven or Hell and not always your choice. . You break your leash good luck you better be an awesome swimmer or zen as hell or both. Many great to decent surfers have ended up in the hospital after surfing at over 12 ft. Its scarry.... That book that won the pulitzer Barbarian Days is dead on the money. Peace OUT

[@brianpark2564]

ocean beach to me always looks better in photos than video, then you realize it breaks too quick and it's a drop in, then kick out wave. big props to those guy who brave the elements/sharks and are OB locals, but i'm not jealous of them one bit

[@joshvikoren6809]

It would be so sick if you posted swell signatures with the video...

[@davidanderson8469]

I'd love to see some pro's take it on and be videoed.

[@waltbells1763]

Perfect SF surf. It’s heavier than it looks. This is NOT Huntington or Newport Beach. This is more of Puerto with less close outs, longer paddles and its bitterly cold. Surfs-up everyday.

[@sleepinglion1192]

Walt Bells what's the water temps?

[@erictay9249]

Sleeping Lion 50s

[@colereed1997]

How is it in comparison to blacks?

[@user-nk1yu9cw8o]

I grew up with “Blacks” in my back yard in the late 70’s and know it very well. I’ve caught some of the best waves of my life there including some of the best “big” waves. With the right conditions “Blacks” can easily hold 15 ft. faces and bigger and due to the uniqueness of the “Rose Canyon” deep water shelf the break is no ordinary “beach break”. In the early 90’s on a fine late November morning I finally had a chance to surf “Ocean Beach” on a day that looked much like what is seen in this video and I thought “okay big beach break...this will be fun”. I was quite taken aback at how deceptively powerful the waves were and with all of the other elements - the VERY powerful currents, VERY shorts “lulls” (for periods of time the lulls seemed almost non existent!) and absolute head numbing cold put it in “experienced only” category when large swells are at work. That being said and with my limited overall depth of experience at “OB” the two breaks are very different even though both are sandy bottom beach breaks. I do know what it feels like to have a very large “close out” set at Blacks break right smack in front of me, yank my leash all the way through to the “stringer” of my 6'-8" Madden "Pin Tail" and held me down for a good long time (by the time I came up I was actually standing in knee deep water). I was spared such an affront at my sessions at OB although I did get drilled quite a few times just trying to get out past the impact zone! Both breaks definitely have the potential to humble!

[@nickvalorie]

Eric Tay what’s a good all around Suit thickness for San Francisco

[@mrquizical]

I had to come back and revisit this video, a goofy footers dream, get it? The second life and more productive surfing was done in the bay area. for aprox. 25yrs. Santa Cruz, I surfed longer and more consistently then SB, mostly with my long board. and my 7'6" creative freedom made in SB. with a very close friend. Never surfed in SF though. Went as far as Davenport just north of SC. One thing I can say, swells were much more consistent than they were in SB, and water quite a bit colder. I Don't twitter. Sorry about that.

[@rioblanks6199]

Where my pops first took me to learn how to surf 🏄 the memories and probably not the best beach for a beginner to Learn😂 that cold green water soo cold your not even thinking bout the sharks and I’ve had a bum shoulder since taking a wipe out 27 years ago on that beach!

[@chriselliman]

Great footy...... the drone shot in the beginning showing those lumps tho! subbed!

[@OM3N1R]

Damn, what an epic day. I'd be way too scared to paddle out. Place is notoriously gnarly

[@clarkewi]

And cold.

[@BLACK05GO1]

Yeah, it looks cold and I'm sure it is cold (guys wearing head gear). I was so cold when I was out there. You need to have good gear or you'll be miserable in the water. Surf looks really nice with the offshore winds. Too bad it's not 85 degrees with 80 degree water temperatures.

[@jeffmilum5858]

Yeah. All these posers calling these guys kooks, have no idea what a 2x - 3x day at ob is like. Big wallops for small errors

[@joey_bonesjr3230]

Finally a humble and realistic comment

[@briancameronlee]

Jeff Milum agree! getting caught inside on a day like this at OB makes you question what you’re doing out there!

[@ichorousmedia]

nobody is utilizing those end sections, although maybe they are just saving themselves from paddling so much...

[@cliffboule8395]

Alex Sands I moved up there from Santa Cruz, for about a year. That beach will work you! But you're right, there's a lot of good wave being wasted.

[@tuskedbeast]

That's exactly right about the paddle, Alex. You can spend 20 minutes on a day like this, a lot longer when bigger, and you can see how short a ride this is- 4 second ride/10-20 minute paddle etc until you're freezing, out of energy and totally over it.

[@captaingreg4150]

Yeah, that's driving me crazy too. It looks like it might be high tide, but heck, here in Florida we only get 5 -10 days like this a year, so I work those shoulders. I'm old, and just accept the long paddle back out :)

[@PlaySA]

Exactly, the inside can be vicious. You do NOT want to be stuck on the inner sandbar when a set rolls through. Not only will it keep you out of the lineup, it can be really dangerous too with powerful waves breaking on a hard, shallow sandbar. That's how you can hurt yourself seriously there and it's just not worth it. Even just figuring out how to get back to shore on a big day can be tough

[@colereed1997]

@@PlaySA do u really be hittin the sand like that out there? I mean shit I've hit the sand at some beaches in monterey. But it was inside bar size like 5-7

[@therealkingfrances3242]

Over the falls at 1:47

[@HoStevie]

*Such a sick wave!*

[@chrisdoyle9221]

My friend Jeff Martinez kneeboards out there with a helmet on the BigDays

[@andyfisher6308]

chris Doyle .l live up in Point Arena & surf with Jeff all the time. He still makes the trip down to OB a couple times every winter.

[@jeffy69ism]

Water is too murky to think shark….rode a 6’10” mini gun as my winter shortboard…. Lived on corner of Rivera/lower g hwy kinda near doc back in early 90s

[@andyvare8541]

Shackage at 2:05

[@peterbridge9394]

43 people don't go in unless the water is 65 degrees or warmer.

[@mxo1210]

I wonder why🦈

[@beercanbarka7678]

R you goin to San Fran Cisco.. .. great ol classic song n good footage ... cheers .. 🍺🍺

[@albertogutierrez8653]

Beercan Barka just had mine. Thanks. 👍

[@seansimpson9231]

this video is painful to watch with none of guys doing any turns on the slopiest rippable sections after the takeoff! a couple good barrels though so thats cool...this day is ocean beach when you want it and manageable size to have constant fun without too much paddeling or washyness..its like a 10 on the scale for that spot cmon! edit: Are you guys serious? Its San Francisco and that area named Ocean Beach in the 1800's. lol

[@canadianbacon5474]

1:48 that brotha gone

[@ZALL1000]

I used to fishing 🎣 here back in 1985 but the wind is so cold some other days are awesome weather. I love San Francisco micro weather. The beach is so clean and you can breathe ocean clean fresh air❤️❤️❤️

[@paulhetherington3854]

Maverick's-- is mixed as, a spot near, Pismo! Giant peak, of cold-- barrels. Sand?

[@samimoring1235]

damn, 7:30 he's hating himself knowing he fxcked up.. ..perfect waves and somehow boring to watch, pulling off the impossible

[@beautifullyblessed9375]

God is amazing!! He made the sea and land to serve a purpose. God, thank you for your creation.

[@marshamariner7897]

This looks like where playland at the 🏖️⛱️ was in the 50-60s I'd b there every weekend. And wave chasing as a kid was 😃💖🌹🌉🌊🌊

[@fergferguson7370]

Nope…middle of the beach

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

1:45 over the falls backwards?

[@stackpotjr.9951]

Pumping# no cal boys surfing so good. . Very nice. And no fog!!

[@warplanner8852]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU...for just showing the very nice surf, good surfing, and NOT loading the video down with the obtrusive, rancid music that passes for surf video soundtracks these days! You are aces!

[@PBhawaiiTLR200]

Everyone kicks out mid-wave so no get mopped paddling back out.

[@minorgray]

this is a great vid. love Ocean Beach. thanks

[@nathanladd125]

This is a perfect OB day. Friendly winds, and big enough to feel BIG but not big enough to feel like you are going to die.

[@reece196]

just finished reading barbarian days so had to check out the waves he was talking about. Spooky

[@handjproductionshi7581]

Itachi Senpai I love that book and this is one of my favorite surf spots

[@geordielyall-collins7993]

Amazing video 🤙 Could I please use this some clips from this video in my 8D music visualiser on KZbin?

[@jameswesthart5873]

Great surfing video, nothing like our close out Coronado beach break. Getting out on a big day must be punishing, just like here but the rewards certainly are there for those who do. Good thing there are no seals around so there is some comfort there. Man, I'd have to invest in one premium thick ass wetsuit.

[@sofiamalinovsky4205]

James Westhart are you talking about Coronado not having any seals or ocean beach? I know or a fact that there are seals at ocean beach because they have popped up right next to me while I was in the water! :)

[@colmcq]

Always strong tow left to right looking shoreward I remember faceplanting in the sand after an over the falls once Fun times

[@aspieotaku3580]

Waves get even bigger at Maverics and Morro bay near Morro rock

[@sanfranciscobay]

5:55 What is the land we see in the background? Is that the Farallon Islands 30 miles West?

[@ISSM87]

SanFranciscoBay looks like Bolinas area to me..

[@holasanja6618]

How big would you say this day was?

[@SurfRinseRepeat]

6-10ft

[@maxf6247]

7:27 most awful barrel dodge I have ever seen

[@WattoSurf]

Epic! What lens did you use? I'm considering the Canon 100-400. My telephoto is not good enough for OB hehe

[@jupitorious7925]

There are some seriously good surfers riding that day.. well done

[@shutupdog11]

Damn ! Plenty of late drops ... Some serious water moving .

[@GameChanger-hj9jx]

Smooth camera work!

[@Postdisclosureworld]

Beautiful waves.

[@markkelly1775]

It not only would be nice. It is.

[@chazlong4764]

This is frustrating to watch

[@3imorgit78]

Great video. Wish I would be there so I could surf those waves.

[@ahernandez9860]

Surfed once really big clean and powerful

[@everydaybettereverydaystronger]

Looks like the OBX. Lots of empty tubes, especially those lefts!!

[@surfcrs]

Nice....I surf a lot but frankly I like to ration my shoulders and stick to smaller OB surf. I have done many GRUELING paddle outs and had horrific hold downs. I stepped up last year and was rewarded with some nasty ear infections. I since had "surfers ear" surgery so I am not getting the water stuck in as much but still...big Ocean Beach was a way of cramming water into every sinus cavity.

[@sanfranciscobay]

What is the waves breaking on? Sand, bedrock? How far under the sand is rock?

[@jordandelgado7571]

Surfed here many times.It's harder than it looks.Long,cold,hard paddle out.Hard to get a good one.Ya don't want to ride them in to far,for fear of taking big sets on the head going back out.

[@sarahandbillysmith4504]

Relentless

[@halheywood3910]

Nice footage Jeff . Awesome O.B.

[@notsure3146]

bess

[@OD99C]

Surfed this spot once on a 7-9ft glassy day. You could kick out and paddle back to the line up without a single duck dive. Don't remember how heavy it was but I could not move my toes for half the day after getting out, frost bite is real at this spot.

[@brendafoster3080]

Imagine Jeff:If these waves were in Orange County,there would be traffic jams,and shootings,San Fran is "Blessed"...

[@turtlesarecool1488]

looks like a wave that's easy to underestimate

[@edwinatollstoy4837]

in a video maybe, check out those A-frames next to a San Fran house....as soon as you paddled into the first wall of whitewater you wouldn't have the luxury of underestimation anymore, a couple of those cold slaps to your face would knock it right out of you.

[@fergferguson7370]

Journeyman surfers only..no long boards .cant get out..brutal paddle.broke many boards here in my day son

[@Pavia1525]

Who came here from watching drone footage of Great Whites cruising Ocean Beach?

[@pwengineering9070]

There is no need for these drawn out and delayed bottom turns, takes them out of a chance to get barrelled, turn at the top or mid face turn with a bit of a stall.

[@theskepticalskeptic]

10-15 ft and SICK🤙great footage btw- mavs musta been good to epic with those offshores

[@CharlesValoroso]

MAHALO...Boss.

[@dischargesummary8794]

Waves look good ...dunno about the concrete shitty jungle on land though

[@theskepticaloptimist7774]

The barrel is tricky there. Real almondy with the odd double up so its a tough read if it’s under 10 foot.

[@WaveTrekker]

Gorgeous. Looks super fun. And sunny!

[@jaechao]

Its sunny but the ocean temperature is freezing even during 80 degree summers

[@mrquizical]

Shifting peaks, pretty good offshore breeze, cold water. Thanks for your time!

[@JeremiahAlphonsus]

Kooks waste so many waves.

[@johncast9565]

The lefts are hard to grab, the current pulls you south. (Right) I learned the hard way there.

[@Radnally]

I remember many an epic workout session trying to paddle out through this from the beach.

[@jonoedwards4195]

I would have been so Over-Psyched, the paddle out would have been backwards with eternal poundings,,, Ahhh,, Err,, now i'm out there, cooking in my steamer from the non stop onslaught, just sitting watching those perfect shifting Peaks that everyone else is sliding into, still none come to me so i paddle towards the Lucky Gumby having all the fun as he gives me The Evil Eye, then suddenly he looks past me? I turn around, looking back to where i sat Pumped for an everlasting 15 minutes an see the Wave of the day! You got to Love it. Great Stuff Jeffro, Beauty Mate.

[@kanaka_eggy8405]

Why so many taking off on the shoulder and kicking out right after?

[@carloslebron2226]

Wow! This beach is practically empty. Wish I lived there...

[@MrDeadsurfer]

Wouldn't want to paddle out through this whitewater.

[@kerryemmerson8954]

cleanest I've seen it. Short and reformy but some nice sections in there.

[@sleepinglion1192]

That aerial view in beginning looked like blacks beach

[@malibukook]

Looks like a chill little paddle out, don't know what everyone else is saying. Most of these guys have probably never surfed 1-2 Leadbetter, now that's a do or die paddle out right there boys.

[@tonemeister2318]

Thanks for sharing

[@a-frames7249]

Apart from the drone footage, what type of Camera do you use?

[@sharktooth2888]

The paddle looks gruelling.. serious OB

[@MrDeadsurfer]

The left tubes for 50 yards so they go right on mush burgers? Please, S.F. surfers, get a grip.

[@adametheridge8953]

The left is a much better ride, nice clear waves

[@jblo76]

Specifically what part of OB is this shot at?

[@7.62fullmetal9]

Yeah dude, seriously nice little shore barrels