I don’t think I have seen the sun all week and I don’t think today is going to break that streak. It’s overcast and drizzly here in Dana Point.

I started the morning with a run to the jetty at the end of Doheny. We have had a pretty good south swell all week which peaked Thursday. Trestles got up to 10 feet and the Wedge in Newport saw 15 according to the surf reports. As I run to Capo Beach and turn into the Doheny State Beach parking lot, it looks like the water had at some point washed past the beach and over the parking lot almost all the way to the gate that separates the railroad tracks. We have had some high tides the last couple nights so I’m sure that was a factor. I have run through here hundreds of times and have never seen the water come all the way up here.

I leave for the my swim just a little before 9. I have not swam since Monday because of this swell. Yesterday seemed a little too iffy. Maybe it was fine, but the Strands webcam has been out of operation all week and I can’t see the surf.

I’m really hoping this webcam does not follow the way of the funicular and never come back up. On Monday, I noticed a signage change on the funicular. It has been out of operation since last July with a sign that says temporarily out of order. Well here we are almost a year later and the word “temporary” is becoming hyperbolic. So Monday I see a new sign that had quite a lot of words explaining the situation. The short of it is that there will be no funicular service in 2023. They are looking for a solution that will be more adaptable to “salt and sand.” Well that sounds pretty darn smart! Though I’m a bit surprised that missed the requirements gathering phase of the original funicular.

Anyhoo, the lack of the webcam really doesn’t matter too much. That webcam is so high that the surfers look like single celled organisms and you really can’t get a proper perspective on wave size. I’d love to see them do what they did at Salt Creek a few weeks ago and add new web cams closer to the beach. The original webcams were perched at the Ritz Carlton. They are still there but now there are two new ones at the snack shop that provide a much better view. Anyways, the surf report size is well within acceptable limits today: 3-5 feet.

As I approach Selva Road on PCH, the low clouds are looking thick and I’m hoping it is not foggy at the beach. As I pull into the parking lot, things look clear enough, but it is certainly on the dreary side here.

Despite the clouds, the temperature is pleasant - probably close to 60. The walk down the stairs is nice and peaceful.

Once I get a look at the shore, I’m wondering what happened to the sand?! In just four days all the sand that had built back up at the edge of the bluff is gone gone gone. There is just a slope of double fisted sized rocks that meets the water. Fortunately, the sand in the shallows is still there and I don’t find any exposed rocks on my way out into the surf.

There is still some decent sized waves here, but I’d say I timed my initial swim out past the surf perfectly right in between sets. I don’t think I had do dive under a single wave.

There are lots of surfers in the water today. A few of them are much further north than the popular break and way outside. I’m wondering just what kind of a set they are waiting for.

I’m relieved to be clear of the surf. The water is super pleasant. I’d call it “refreshing.” Surfline is still reporting 62 which would be cold in November as the temps come down but honestly feels cozy right now to me. It’s so great.

I make my way south to the end of the beach. I’m just relaxing my body and mind and enjoying the purity of this moment in the water. I’m breathing out my fears of the surf waiting for me when I swim in.

When I get to the cliffs at the southern end of the beach. A larger set of waves break near to where I am. Because of the nature of the rocks here, I know the break is isolated to the outcropping of rocks just southwest of me and I’m not a target. So I just watch the wave rise and then crumble. It’s pretty rare to see such a significant break right here. I decide not to hang here too long and begin to head back north.

The northern trip seems to take longer and I can’t help drifting further out in the water despite several course corrections.

Eventually it is time to head back to shore and again my timing is good. I hover just at the line of surf and feel a few larger waves pass and break just inside of me. When I don’t see another, I put my head down and make a strong and steady pace for shore and before you know I am home free.

The water is breaking onto the rocks and I have to climb several steps up the cobble rock to reach my pack. I’m feeling warm enough so I just remove my sandals from my pack which I use for the scramble back to the ramp.

All in all, a great Saturday morning swim!