Over the holidays, the West Coast was hit by a massive rogue wave, causing destruction to a lot of infrastructure in the areas that were affected the most. Following the wave and continued stormy weather, the tides and waves have continued to be pretty severe. The tides have been at record high levels, which has brought with it record heights of waves. Many cities and neighborhoods near the shoreline have been evacuated in response to the rogue wave and warnings of others like it. However, in some areas where the waves are still extreme, but calmer than in other parts, surfers have been having field days in the water.

In parts of the northern and southern coastlines of California, surfers a like have been rocking the waves.

The Mavericks, a popular surf spot in the Bay Area of San Francisco, is one place that saw record high waves. Because of that, it has also been one of the places in which surfers have excitedly hit the waves. Social media has been overwhelmed by people hitting the water in droves, documenting their extreme daredevil nature.

In Southern California, the biggest place hit by surfers has been Seal Beach. The mild winter weather, temperature wise, has raised interest for many to ride the wave. With the mild temperatures and wild stormy waves, the conditions have been perfect for the average surfer.

One Irvine local, Miles Malohn, spoke with The Guardian to discuss what it was like to be on these waves. He described the waves as “pretty hectic,” explaining that while the water was incredibly enticing, he and his fellow surfers had to make sure they were more selective and cautious than they normally are. The risk of wiping out or getting hurt was higher than normal, so they all had to tread lightly.

The biggest risk surfers take when riding these waves is that any of them could turn out to be the next rogue wave.

The National Weather Service has issued advisories that affect the coast entirely, as they expect more massive waves. In the Bay Area and Los Angeles beach areas, they are warning of waves higher than 20 feet tall and even riptides. The warnings have not seemed to stop too many surfers in the meantime, so we can only hope for their sake that the warnings turn out to be false.