CARDIFF, Calif.—
High surf slammed the San Diego shores Saturday and battered the beaches.West-facing beaches are likely to get sets 5-8 feet, with some larger breakers rolling in Sunday. The largest surf is expected south of La Jolla, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a high surf advisory, effective through Monday afternoon.
With the big waves come strong tidal currents, and lifeguards urged all but the strongest swimmers to stay out of the water.
"The swell is unbelievable," said freelance photographer Jack McDaniel who spent the better part of Saturday snapping pictures of the surf and the surfers at Cardiff.
San Diego Lifeguards reminded folks though the high surf is not for beginner surfers. It can be dangerous when someone doesn't know what they're doing.
"It's better just to watch from the shore," said Sgt. Bill Bender of novice surfers.
Graham Hadidian went surfing three times on Saturday. He said he just couldn't stay away when the conditions are so perfect especially with the six and sometimes eight foot waves.
"There's no wind and the tide's right, the swells right, everything's right," he said.
His wife Crystal said she was content sitting on the beach with their young son Gray, watching the water and the surfers.
"I know it's a beautiful warm day but I like to watch from the beach," she said. "I trust that my husband's being safe but I wouldn't want both of us to be out there in a potentially dangerous situation because the waves are quite large."
