San Diego surfers brave hypothermia as summer “upwelling” plunges ocean temp. to mid-60s

Burrrrrrrrr.

It is summer in Southern California, a happy time when beloved vice-presidents visit Disneyland and are celebrated by adoring fans, young children play hide and seek with Shutzstaffel re-enactors and surfers shed unsightly neoprene in order to enjoy the ocean in their natural states.

You can imagine the consternation, then, when those brave watermen living south of San Clemente went to beach in Birdwells, dipped a toe into the brine and nearly froze to death.

Yes, in a wicked turn, Pacific ocean temperatures have plunged, particularly, in San Diego anywhere from 63 degrees (Fahrenheit) to 69 degrees (also Fahrenheit).

The phenomenon is known as “upwelling.” According to the recently-gutted National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, upwelling is thus:

Winds blowing across the ocean surface push water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away. This process is known as “upwelling.”

Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. The reverse process, called “downwelling,” also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline and the surface water eventually sinks toward the bottom.

Water that rises to the surface as a result of upwelling is typically colder and is rich in nutrients. These nutrients “fertilize” surface waters, meaning that these surface waters often have high biological productivity. Therefore, good fishing grounds typically are found where upwelling is common.

For visual learners:

While the nutrient-rich waters might be appealing to fatties, the coldness that comes along with it is not appreciated, sending the aforementioned previously Birdwell-clad surfers into garages to dig out 5mm wetsuits, booties and hoods.

Those brave enough to paddle, at least, share a sort of brother/sisterhood experienced by surfers in Maine or Iceland.

Hearty folk in an unforgiving sea.