Beachgoers in San Diego enjoy the coast before next destructive storm lands
SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA) - Recent hurricanes in the Pacific have left their mark on California beaches. Now, with El Niño on the way, beachgoers are trying to enjoy the coast before the next destructive storm lands.
Reactions to El Niño and it's effects vary a lot depending on if you're talking to a surfer or not.
"The waves are, they're stronger, they're harder to surf. But you know, the bigger it is, the better. And we like the big waves. That's why we come out," said Damir Kubalov, a surfer.
Kubalov came out with his friends and Elijah Saunders is just now learning to surf.
"I went yesterday and I got completely wiped out. I actually lost my board because it's kind of a cheap leash and, like, the leash just fell off, and, I almost like I swallowed a bunch of water," Saunders shared.
That was when the waves were three-to-four feet which is as far as Saunders' willing to take it, but these waves are changing.
"High tide, each morning today through Wednesday this week is sitting around seven feet, which is quite high," said Kyle Wheeler, Meteorologist for NWS San Diego. "You combine that with, slightly elevated sea services, due to partially due to El Nino. We suddenly find ourselves with more susceptible coastlines and coastal erosion."
"A lot of rocks, It's very, very different," said Thamires Wilcox, a visitor.
Wilcox used to walk this beach every morning with no problem. She tried to take her husband on that same walk thinking the coast was still clear.
"She said, 'It's fine.' And we were up to here in water yesterday," said Wilcox's husband.
There's a coastal flood advisory in effect until Wednesday.
"If you're not careful, you show up at the wrong time, you're not aware of the high tides or the elevated surf, suddenly your car could be surrounded by water," said Wheeler spoke.
He doesn't recommend it, but Wheeler said people getting in the water should know how dangerous these rip currents are.
