Surf Season Highlights: From Swell Alerts to Photo Wisdom
Surfers and photographers, gather 'round for a trio of tales from the wave world. First up, Southern California is bracing for some serious juice—Los Angeles County beaches are under a high surf advisory until Saturday midday. We're talking waves of 5 to 9 feet with dangerous rip currents, so if you're thinking of charging, stick near lifeguard towers or opt for shore watching instead. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions can wash folks off beaches or rock jetties, and honestly, nobody wants their session ending with a rescue mission. For the full forecast, you can check the details right here.
Meanwhile, down in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Christmas came with a red splash. The annual Surfing Santas event drew over 10,000 spectators to cheer on hundreds of wave-riding Kris Kringles, elves, and even a parrot named Spike rocking the board. The festive gathering, which started in 2009 with just two Santas, has become a holiday powerhouse, raising more than $100,000 for the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life. Photographer Malcolm Denemark captured the vibe perfectly: 'Smiles. You don’t see this at football games and baseball games.' It’s pure, salt-spruced joy—proof that surfing’s community spirit shines brightest in the season of giving. You can see the full gallery and story over at Florida Today.
But it’s not all about waves and suits—photographers, take note. Iconic surf shooter Tom Servais, fresh off his Hall of Fame induction, spilled the tea on the craft’s evolution. Social media’s endless scroll, he says, has made it tough for photos to become iconic like the old magazine days. 'People look at photos so quickly now,' he notes, contrasting it with when shots like Tom Curren’s cutback graced covers for months. Servais still finds magic in slab waves and Jaws sessions but urges newcomers to diversify. 'The career path for a still-photographer? It’s viable for only a handful.' His advice? Adapt or paddle out. For his full take on the state of surf photography, dive into the interview with The Inertia.