They created a massive Sand Spit.

In 1925 the Army Corp of Engineers warned there would be problems disrupting the flow of sand on the Santa Barbara coast. Did they have any idea the result would be a freak of a wave now highly contested by surfers all over the world?
Surfing in one of Santa Barbaras most novel waves, sandspit at the harbor.

[@user-ke9yk5qp3u]

I did the solar system on that tower for the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department and there is a spotlight that shines up on the flag at night. Every time there was a swell the surfers would get out a wrench and adjust my spotlight off of the flag and onto the surf. The city was so cool about it they said if it keeps happening then we'll just leave it be and we'll install a second light for the flag and let the surfers have that one. I always enjoyed doing contract work for the City of Santa Barbara.

[@TimMaddux]

My PhD advisor at UCSB opened his coastal processes class every year by talking about Santa Barbara harbor and the impacts up and down the coast. Ledbetter was also the site of the Nearshore Sediment Transport Study in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

[@granthilling]

Ledbetter held some of the biggest waves I’d seen in the area that day, sadly I arrived late and had to choose between the two to film.
I’ll have to look into the history of Ledbetter as well! Thanks for sharing that!

[@user-ke9yk5qp3u]

And don't forget about the erosion that occurred down the coast because of that and the story of the cemetery being eroded away with bodies and coffins protruding from the cliffs. I did the same thing at Santa Barbara city College. Geology was a really fun program there.

[@GazAce]

That's the most terrifying surf I've ever seen man.

[@ralphiewigs2208]

I have a friend who is a very good surfer who said this (sandspit) wave is extremely difficult...constant paddling, horrendous crowd and if you are a couple of feet from the takeoff spot, you will not get the wave and may cause it to chandelier in front of someone who was in the right spot. I believe we also have the Army Corp of Engineers to thank for the Wedge.

[@justinfaerman6962]

I can confirm this. The currents there are strong and constant and it makes it really hard to stay in the right spot. Add crowds onto that and its really challenging. Plus the wave is pretty fast and there can obviously be a lot of backwash. Good news is you can run back up the beach and hop right back into the peak. Bad news is so can everyone else 😅

[@OneFlewOver1776]

That's because it sucks....

[@karlbeyleveld3399]

Reminds me of Fence in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Rebound waves coming off the harbour wall forming massive peaks left and right.

[@bryanharrison7847]

World class wave by accident!

[@edisondaud7552]

You may watch "off the wall 2" a goog 80 s surf movie filmed in that spot and you will see the violent current

[@granthilling]

I’ll check that out thanks!! 🤙🏽

[@user-zu7hh1ui2j]

good music

[@javierlocura]

Looks so heavy

[@granthilling]

Sand spit looks so easy when mindsurfing bit when your there watching people trying to get waves you see the struggle.

[@brianpeck697]

Mikey D!

[@irishoxley994]

They created a duplicate of the wedge here in Orange county California .

[@granthilling]

The left in the harbor is quiet the man made novelty as well!

[@j3f423]

🫡🫡🤝🤝