12-Foot Waves Pummel Orange County Beaches

September 1, 2011 11:53 AM

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NEWPORT BEACH (CBS) — A high surf advisory is in effect until Friday evening along Southern California’s coast as 12-foot waves pummel the shore.

A swell from a storm in Tahiti can be attributed to the advisory which will be in effect until 5 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

“Its for the South and Southwest facing beaches all the way from Orange County to Ventura County, also Catalina Island as well,” according to CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Josh Rubenstein.

12 Foot Waves Pummel Orange County Beaches

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At Newport Beach’s famous surf spot, The Wedge, surfers and body boarders are seeing average waves of 10-to-12 feet, with some waves topping 20 feet, Orange County lifeguards said.

Body Boarder Jowayne Benford, 25, went missing Wednesday off Sunset Beach in Orange County, apparently swept away by a powerful rip current, officials said. County lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for Binford, but officials say it is now a recovery mission.

The National Weather Service says above normal surf and very strong currents will continue through the Labor Day weekend.

» PHOTOS: Massive Waves Pummel Newport Beach

jondb01

DID YOU REMOVE THE COMMENT SECTION FROM THE CHER / CHAS ARTICLE SO AS NOT TO INVOKE ANY CONTRAVERSY?
Paul Heniff

You can’t surf the wedge. I’ve been going there since the 50′s. This was written by someone who has never seen the place. Bodysurfing only, maybe an occasional boogie board but they are banned in the summer.