El Porto

comment by Anonymous, 2009-09-28 02:44:03

Too damn crowded, but has its days
Lived here my entire life, been surfing for at least fifteen years, I can say this, fifteen years ago there was less then 1/4 of the amount of people out than there is today. El Porto has just become wayy to crowded now, shoulder to shoulder, and its only getting worse. Labor day weekend was unreal, I could not believe the number of people out in the water, people stacked on top of each other. From the jetty to Manhattan pier it seemed that there wasn't more than 5 feet of ocean to be seen between the people in the lineup. I blame it on the overpopulation of this area, as well as surfing becoming "mainstream", and the thing to do when you move here, when it used to be esoteric. It seems that every mid-westerner wants to move to California and become a surfer.

El Porto definitely has its days, but even on flat days there is simply too many people out... I mean, what are they surfing? Do the mid westerners just like the look of a surfboard in their hand? I cant count the times I've had to pass up surfing El Porto on fun looking days because of the crowd. It sucks cause there really aren't too many other options without driving an hour away.

comment by JNewsom, 2009-01-14 21:51:21

El Porto ROCKS!
El Porto is simply one of the best breaks in the LA area. That is if you actually know how to surf. All the haters out there just don't know the break. You can't just go at any time and expect a good ride. You've got to know what the tide will do with the bottom conditions and you'll hit a a decent session every time. All of us who call El Porto home know that when it's going off, there's no place better. I've been through the summer ankle biters and even the rare 15ft plus days and it's simply one of the best and least crowded spots for the locals. Newbies, learners and kooks beware. Porto is not an extremely friendly spot when the surf is good but if you stay out of the way and off the main breaks you'll be fine. Head on down to Manhattan Beach if you can't hang with the locals. Summer is full of longboarders and the high sets are eaten up by the local pros. So you really gotta have skills and know your place in the lineup if you're going to get in on a good session. Have the respect and you'll catch a few good ones if you're lucky.

Enjoy the waves!
Chris & Logan - if you're out there catch a few good ones for me!

SURF EP

comment by John, 2008-11-12 20:14:57

Love you Porto
For all the porto haters out there check out the Forgotten coast, the first beach break they go to in indo they compare to el porto when its hitting. Now if pro surfers who are surfing some of the best stuff in the world are comparing a wave to porto you know that all these people hating here are kooks or locals trying to keep you away. But otherwise it is crowded, often walled, and you can't go in the water after it rains or the purplish tint goes away. Lots of cool people though, if your getting bad vibes its probably because your a kook and are out on the wrong day or creating a dangerous situation for you and everyone else.