"I'm really scared for this next chunk to come down, whenever that may be."
There are those, here, who deny climate change is happening and/or real and those who think it is the most important issue facing humanity in this 21st century. There are the climate change-curious, those who are swayed by some of the arguments for but also by some of the arguments against. And there are many on the spectrum. New York City, where I am currently ensconsed, is breaking records with a wild heat wave that scientists are calling “virtually impossible” if climate change weren’t true and surfers in Santa Cruz are watching the iconic cliffs at Steamer Lane tumble into the sea, scientists there saying the same thing.
Steamer Lane surfers, anecdotally, have been discussing the change in its waves for some time, now, one unidentified man telling Action 8 News, “This wave has changed with this erosion, whether it’s for better or for worse. That’s everyone’s different opinion, but it has changed in some way. I’ve heard that it’s hollow. I’ve heard that it’s a little bit more refraction in and a little bit more bumpy.”
UC Santa Cruz professor Gary Griggs very much agreed, adding, “Climate change is real. We have good science. Sea level rise is real. We know waves are getting bigger. We’re probably going to get, you know, a big El Niño this year. So be aware that those things are really happening. It’s not a conspiracy.”
Shaun Burns, who I swear I know and is a Save the Waves member in good standing, shared, at the end, “I’m really scared for this next chunk to come down, whenever that may be. That’s going to significantly alter the wave. And I’m scared if that’s going to worsen it and damage it really bad.”
Save the Waves had conducted an economic impact report and determined that surfing generates an estimated $200 million per year for Santa Cruz, and while that is only 10% of the money U.S. President Donald J. Trump earned in this first year of his second term, it is still significant.

Santa Cruz has posted signs around the cliff, warning people to stay back and are “monitoring the situation” but what can be done if engineered nature wants to reclaim the Lane? Have you ever surfed there in the shadow of the famed lighthouse?
Share your experience, please.
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There’s another even bigger chunk on the same fault line hanging on for dear life. If that falls it could potentially really fuck the wave up. That, or create a mutant slab! Cowabunga!
some bangers at the Teahupoo trials.
Eimo Cz just got a 10.
aaaaand, might have just got another one.
yep.
the double yeti.
What are you watching it on?
Can’t find it on youtube
Thank you Mr. Popsicle.
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
seems to be over? was halfway through an overlapping heat though.
I just turned it on and it just hasdthe last heat on repeat
Is it really possible to make that shitty, fat, wobbly burger any worse? Thats mental
I realize you’ve been swinging a hammer all day in the hot Oz sun but… you have no clue what you are talking about.
Always looks cold, fat and fucked to me darling
Erosion, not climate change.
100%
Some people actually cannot grasp this
Oof, at least Oz has all those recent wct world titles to ease the pain
I am heartbroken Rocks. Mini got me up at 4am this morning to watch that shit, the things we do for our kids ay hahaha
losing on PK’s is a brutal way to go , hope your coach has a second home somewhere on another continent he can escape to
Would say tough WC loss for Oz, but went pretty far for not scoring a goal in last 5+ hours game play. Sending defenders and children to shoot the PK’s an interesting choice too. And subbing out your goalie who played great the whole game? Hmmm.
But fun Oz team nevertheless! Let Egypt get destroyed by Argentina now, Messi’s gonna puree them like hummus
It’s gonna get real Messi up in here!
Belt rubs underside of belly?
Hahaha!
hahahahaha thats a 10
Due to climate change it could soon be short arm steamer lane.
A few more El Nino/La Nina cycles and it might change to Springy Lane (with it’s own theme song to the tune of the Beatles hit..)
The rock that fell in first definitely going to choke out the rocks that fell in later.
in 20 mins the country with the best international tourism comes up against the country with the worst humans in international tourism.
When the two Los Angeles teams play each other it’s called the El Traffico. Is there a funny name for this match ?
In a continuing series of one’s own personal surf life that y’all don’t care about—the one hour cap to sessions continues to deliver. I am a better human on land because of it and in the water. Actually go in when I get a good one and don’t let the reptilian brain sucker me into “just one more.”
Less is more.
Santa Cruz is the best zone for surf in the state I think. Crowds are dumb, but that’s life. Keen to surf the Hook and Pleasure point again. Not sure why we haven’t seen more talent, but could be like Connery posited. Same thing happening in SB.
I once watched PP for 45 mins trying to determine if I could catch any waves with the short board that I had. Figured I could. Paddled out and couldn’t catch fuck all. Dead 1-2’ waves. I Paddled in not having caught a wave and wondering what the fuck happened. Drank a beer from the corner shop to celebrate not having received a parking ticket.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… I felt that
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Me..not so much
Is this Bugs’ secretary at Planet Cunts?
I’ll just put you on hold for a moment…
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Haha if The Matrix and Fight Club had a baby….
It’s a mal wave for the most part. Super fun on a 9’6”.
I surfed it once it and it was pumping and great for a shortboard or anything you’d like. I guess I lucked in that day. Fish would have been the best call.
You have never been there on a good day apparently..
Surfed it at least 100 times. Gets good but PP itself is a mal wave unless it’s in a very specific size area and swell direction.
Probably a perspective thing. Depends where you e been.
Sewers is the spot .
I don’t think anywhere was the spot, with the swell, that day, but you may be right that I would have had better luck elsewhere. I was just cruising, at the time.
For sure best zone. Where else in Ca ( besides the Ranch ) are the prevailing northwest winds straight offshore all day?
Well, only a few waves in town are actually protected from wind, rest get tore up. The nooks and crannies around there are good though. Hollister definitely hooping offshore in NNW but it’s a bit limited in terms of good spots. Many other places besides those 2 that handle the predominant winds though.
And not neatly as much swell as Santa Cruz
Absolutely not true.
Absolutely true. I’ve surfed the Ranch quite a few times. Left the Lane at sunset with 3rd reef bombs breaking a 1/2 mile out. Then the next morning walked all the way in to little drakes to surf 4’ ( albeit flawless ) tubes.
Half the swell of the Lane to Scott creek stretch. Max
Yes, I understand what you experienced but other places were bigger and better south of Pt Conception. I guarantee it.
You don’t get out much do you.
Ha! You clearly don’t know shit Phil. All it takes is $ and time.
Be honest.
About what?
Your response to green eyes. He’s smarter than you. It’s ok ..you’re good with me. I’ve got you pegged for a boogie boarder.
That’s Troll and Turts, although I respect draggers that charge. If anyone doesn’t get out it’s you. There’s a big world outside Santa Cruz county.
Oh it’s been awhile since I’ve been home.
All those places have better waves than Santa Cruz. That’s my whole point.
That was my reply to your edited comment
And it’s not about you, it’s about waves.
Santa Cruz has quality waves.
I surf waves that would make you shit your boardies. And yes Time and $ Helps.
PPB4L
I’m gonna have to inspect your PPtB membership card for validity. Lots of cosplayers out there…..
Like most seppos you are taking life heaps too seriously and thinking about things way too hard my dear American friend. If the waves are average I will head out for a quick splash or just give it a miss and do something else. If its pumping then I’ll stay out for hours till I’m too fucked to paddle anymore.
Life is far better when ya just roll with it. Sounds like ya have too much time on your hands or just need a good solid root cunt hahaha
Eh. This is the one time your seppo dig seems misplaced (mostly because it’s directed at me ya dog!).
Surfing’s just that good that it teaches you life is better when you just, for example, roll with it, or for another example, realize less is more. It’s just interesting to observe what it shows you.
I got the same 24hrs you do, just with way shittier surf and no social security net. Gotta make the most of it, and it’s pretty damn sweet. Surely the phrase “day for it” could be translated as “carpe diem?” Perhaps that translation would betray trying to seem like you’re not trying too hard, your Australian “sprezzatura” as it were?
What cunt, can ya speak in a manner I understand please? Are ya gagging for a root or what dickhead hahaha
hahahaha nah translating ain’t my forté
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… Zooooorba
100% bogs. There will never be another Tom or Bobby that comes out of this joint. There won’t be another Bobby or Tom period but you won’t be succesful unless you come from money. Ya gotta travel even if that means an hour north or an hour south.
The truth will set you free, but damn it hurts.
if the industrial and civil revolutions of 1880s and roaring ninetys didn’t kill us off, then sharks will. that’s NOT a conspiracy theory! erosion of common sense? engineering is smarter than erosion ‘cept when it attacks 1million$ homes and oceanfront beaches and harbors…my seawall and littorial drift keep our beachfront safe.
250 plus…years of rift raff~
Stay in your lane Dane!
Stick to the plan…man!
Love it. So good to have you guys back.
Yeah. West side ..East Side cliffs been eroding since the beginning of time. The Lane is decent. Is it the best wave in town ? Some might say The Jacks on the right day..same for River mouth..3rd reef Lane certainly holds a big swell..but The Slot?..that’s an opinion.
Rivermouth early 80’s was about as good of a wave can possibly get. 6 second barrels both directions all day freezing offshores. For months
That’s just false my friend. Might be as good as a wave can get in Santa Cruz but come on!!
Slot into the Indicator down to upper cowells when it’s choked with sand on a pumping west swell low tide is pretty dang good
I hate the term “climate change”.
It dumbs down our predicament into a packaged turd meant to counter the doubters.
Of course there is such a thing as climate change, it’s a natural process.
Change is a universal constant that occurs at light speed yet happens simultaneously across the universe, dwarfing the linear speed of light itself.
Let’s just call it what it really is,
CO² overload.
Just driving across the Permian Basin in Texas at night really puts our industrial endeavors into context, yet that is just a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of the amount of crap we are spewing into the atmosphere. To think it has no effect is straight up retarded.
As far as the Lane goes though, this is nature in action, been going on long before us and will keep going on long after.
With any luck the whole cliff comes down and gives us a wedge worth talking about.
Erect large sections of chain link fence covering the questionable areas, put some razor wire around for aesthetics
you’re welcome
Is it safe to say Kierran Horn maybe was the best out there – he for surely wasn’t a loud mouth like most of them.
What was his profession? If he was better than that lot surely he’d have wanted a stab at $150,000 a year and a few surf trips paid for by surf mags and sponsors.
Maybe. I grew up on the East Side . Kierran ripped but the best? Unsure .
Who surfed Lane better than him (we’re talking SC surfers only) – I would say Pete Mel close second
Barney
Maybe Mulcoy
Nah, try again JP.
Jeff Spencer in his prime probably best I’ve seen. I was there nonstop from 75 to 82
Vince Collier threw some huge gaffs at the Slot too.
Dave Sutton ( r.i.p. ) was very good there as well. He was also the master at the spots above Santa Cruz.
Spencer was a master switch foot as well. Genius
Mel was east side.
Maybe the city council can send some westsiders in tall white sock and flat brimmed hats to scream at the cliff until it behaves?
I enjoy the Middle Peak down into the Indicator section better anyway ( in my early 60’s riding a longer board). That section shouldn’t be as affected.
Hard to imagine the depression that will set in on the West Side if a massive chunk of the cliff collapses that significantly damages the Point/Slot zone. It will change people lives.
Maybe I’m crazy but seems to me you could pretty easily remove a section of that cliff and reduce it to basically gravel if the intent was to save the wave. I’m Sure the environmentalist would love this idea. I’ve never seen the cliff in person or been there so this could be a completely stupid idea but with that amount of near coastal development that takes place worldwide removing about a third of that cliff doesn’t seem impossible if it were a goal for the city.
Being California it would probably cost $15m to do that. Especially at a world surf heritage site.
You know what I find crazy about SC. The talent level these days or lack there of. I mean. I grew up on The Kill series. Watched those till the VCR over heated. Ratboy and Flea were my favorites. Barney kinda. Peter Mel and Skin dog…ehhh… not so much. I loved there big wave game though. That one wave Skin dog towed into at Puerto and that one Pete got at Mavs. Two of the best waves ever ridden. But back to the lane. Just loved the way they approached that wave. The knobed knee airs. The personalities. Maybe times have changed. Gentrified probably. Drugs for sure. No money. These are the times we live in. Sad isnt it.
SC? Strayan Cunt? Sean Connery?
Xox
Santa Cruz
Xox
Clause I meant 🎅
Sierra Curse
SoCal?!?!
Xox
I think it’s like everywhere now, still a bunch of guys who absolutely rip, harder to see them among the four times as many Barneys.
Totally. Lots of talent up there but its hard.
SC has become more of a fentanyl town. Meth is better for shredding than fentanyl. Just ask all the guys mentioned above.
Ooooh no it might turn a wonky backwashy wave into shit wonky backwashy wave. *clutches pearls in bumhole
Xox