El Nino storms cause massive waves to pound Southern California beaches

Friday, January 8, 2016
Massive waves caused by El Nino pound SoCal coast
Thanks to the El Nino storms, dozens of surfers made their way to beaches across the coast Thursday morning to take in the huge waves.

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Thanks to the El Nino storms, dozens of surfers made their way to beaches across the coast Thursday morning to take in the huge waves.

High surf pounded Orange County's coast, which is something many surfers counted on at Seal Beach and in Malibu.

"Plenty of surfers out there, the waves are like overhead and people are getting massive beatings. But at the same time, they're getting barrels. Everyone's having a good time. It's rad out there," Newport Beach resident Steven Morissette said.

Surfers said they saw waves as high as 8 feet. With that in mind, the more experienced surfers ventured out and warned amateurs to stay away from a possibly dangerous situation.

Surfers caught some big waves along the Southern California coast, including popular spots in Malibu.

The high surf also drew big crowds at the pier and beach, as residents and photographers came in to catch a glimpse.

Christina Griffith and her son, Curran, came to check out all the attention on their local beach and said they weren't disappointed.

"The wave shape is steep and fast and it takes really good surfers to ride it. It's really fun to watch them," she said.

The waves can cause beach erosion, but there have been no reports of damage to piers.