Swami's

Swami's, also known as "Swami’s Reef'" and "Swamis", is an internationally known surfing spot, a point break located in Encinitas, San Diego County, California. Swami's was named after Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, because the grounds and hermitage of the Self-Realization Fellowship ashram, built in 1937, overlook this reef point.

Originally, "Swami's" was an unofficial nickname that surfers gave to the break here, but the name was eventually adopted officially, and became the name of the cliff top park, which was previously known as "Seacliff Roadside Park".

Access

Access to Swami's is primarily by way of a small but well-appointed cliff top park, which has bathrooms, a water fountain, benches, picnic tables and a lawn under shade trees, as well as a small parking lot. Most importantly, it also has a long wooden staircase leading down beside the cliff to a sand beach, which has a lifeguard station. The rocky point is a couple of hundred yards north of that station.

Surfing

Swami's is a major surfing destination, especially during good swells in the winter months, because of its standout right point break, as well as fun reef breaks, and beach breaks. The number of surfers out can be very considerable when conditions are good. Surfing at this location is ideal with a low to mid tide, W or NW swell direction, and calm or East wind.

Swami's allows all level of surfers, but is well known as a high-performance wave for both longboard and shortboard surfers. Bodysurfing and bodyboarding are a rarity due to the highly competitive nature of the crowd to catch and ride the limited number of waves that come in sets every few minutes.

Swami's is also known as challenging spot to paddle, requiring a level of fitness above what other breaks demand. This is primarily due to the distance from the beach to the main peak several hundred yards from shore. As the waves become larger this distance increases, and after long rides the paddle back to the main peak can take several minutes. For this reason many surfers will choose to end their rides before the wave reaches the beach.

There are primarily two ways in which surfers initially paddle out to the main peak. The most common way is to approach from south of the break (directly in front of the lifeguard tower) and paddle around the break through the deep water (known as the channel). The other method of paddling out is to walk north two hundred yards and approach the main peak by means of a rougher, more turbulent shortcut. While riskier (due to the rough nature of the waves in this zone), it can be a significantly quicker route to the main peak. This is often known as "paddling out through the back door." Most novice surfers will avoid this method as it requires greater skill and fitness.

Ecology

The rich waters around Swami’s Reef contain 12 distinct habitats—including a thriving kelp forest, extensive surf grass beds, and rocky reefs—where lobsters, halibut, grunion, and many other fish and invertebrates feed and breed. At low tide, the nearshore reef is exposed, and visitors can see brittle stars, sea hares, and octopi in the pools, as well as 45 million year old fossils imprinted in the flat rocks.

Conservation

A marine protected area is proposed for Swami's Reef through the California Marine Life Protection Act. It would protect sensitive sea life and habitats on and around the reef, while leaving the area’s two state beaches, Seaside and Moonlight Beach, open for fishing.

See also

Шаблон:Portal

  • List of surfing areas

References

Шаблон:Reflist

External links

Surf reports & forecasts

Video

Photographs

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Tips & Hints
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Laurie W
30 November 2012
Don't let the weather ever stop you from heading over. On the lousiest days the surfers put on the best shows. Makes my morning run even more exciting!
Maui Surf Academy Encinitas
This summer check out Maui Surf Academy for surf lessons and camps for adults and kids! We will be on the inside of Swami's just south of the lifeguard tower. Licensed, permitted, and insured!!
Bradley Evarts
15 June 2014
Stay at the Zen Cottage between J and I on third street. Find it on Air BNB or burlapandcrystal.com
D B
29 March 2011
One of the great places to surf or watch surfers on big wave days. Swami's is a world-famous point break in San Diego!
David Hastings
12 October 2011
Nice beach. You can sit on the benches and watch the surfers or watch the sunset! Beautiful.
Kevin Wilson
3 August 2017
One of the best beaches in SoCal
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Map
1350 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA Get directions
Wed 7:00 AM–9:00 AM
Thu 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Fri-Sat 7:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Mon 7:00 AM–9:00 AM

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