Cortez Bank

David · #1 02-13-2005, 08:09 PM

Did any of you ever surf Cortez Bank?

The world's best surfers called it "Surfers' Paradise," but the rest of the surfing world would probably call it hell. It's an area located about 100 miles off the coast of San Diego. At the sea floor is a seamount, or underwater mountain, which is about 17 miles in length. Some peaks on this seamount are so high that their tops lie just 3 or 4 feet beneath the ocean surface.

It's very windy out there, which whips up big waves -- hollow, barreling waves. The seamount makes the waves curl & break . . . 100 miles out to sea! In the fall & winter, the waves can be anywhere from 15 feet to 70 feet high.

The current is too powerful to paddle out to catch the wave; you have to be jetskied into the swell. All but the most expert surfers are strongly discouraged from attempting to surf Cortez Bank. You're 100 miles out at sea, so if you wipe out, it could easily be your funeral.

I have fished the Bank during the summer, when waves are much smaller. Fishing is renowned in the area; you can sign aboard charter fishing boats out of San Diego Port.

irishgrl · #2 02-13-2005, 08:15 PM

Holy. Moly.

amber · #3 02-13-2005, 08:59 PM

one word:
ohhellno!

dissention · #4 02-14-2005, 12:03 AM

Can't say that I have. I live in the Bay State, but I won't even go into the water for fear of sharks and jellyfish.

chiliD · #5 02-14-2005, 07:27 PM

That's cool.

But, what I can't get my mind around is the visual of YOU being on a fishing boat, David.

gldstwmn · #6 02-16-2005, 02:41 PM

Ahh, the ocean. Those pics are great. Thanks.

SuzeQuze · #7 02-16-2005, 02:58 PM

Holy shiza! I had no idea such a place existed! How cool. I have never tried surfing but wouldn't rule it out although I am very scared. But I like to ski downhill and slalom on water so I am into the non-team type sports. But like Diss I am a right coaster and the water here is freezing except for like 2 weeks in August and the waves aren't great for surfing.