Can we all just respect that he added the video without music and let us hear nature's wrath instead :)

That’s me at 8min with the broken board 😢😂, thanks for getting the clip!!

Mad respect for the guys who dropped in, had no clue what they were getting themselves into and then got spanked

Being from San Diego it was an absolutely amazing experience to see these waves in person last week. Big props to all the guys who paddled out- it's a blast watching guys who are used to riding 2-3 ft. waves deal with basically XL Pipeline-like conditions! Scary as HELL, but awesome stuff!

I can’t imagine how stoked the guy around 3:20 felt. Even catching that monster wave would be exhilarating, but then ridding it into a fat barrel, then out the end? Magical.

BEST 15 minutes of the internet! The best of the best out there. Respect to all you surfers. I don't surf but could feel the tension, respect, fear, attack, and thrill. Great photography, thank you.

Yeah, yeah. I know a lot of experienced Hawaiian surfers scoff at big Cali. I have only surfed small Black's, but in talking with experienced locals, the cold water, the canyon set hold downs......it's a very humbling spot for the most experienced waterman.

I grew up at Ocean Beach SD a few blocks from the ocean. Have childhood memories of being in those waters almost every day. I never really wanted to surf (ironically have always heavily preferred snow sports) but spent a lot of time swimming out as far as I could to the big waves and checking out the wildlife. Sharks, dolphins, and massive fish out there, all of them so passive. When I was tiny it was leopard shark pup season, and all the pups came in right to the shore to feed and for safety. Dad took me out there and we stood barefoot in the water up to my waist, surrounded by these precious little creatures who were so curious about us. So many nights spent falling asleep to sea salt air and occasionally, on really stormy days, if it was quiet enough, you could hear the waves crashing from blocks away. Tons of times I'd just go down to the beach with my friends during storms, and we'd watch the absolutely massive waves they'd create. OB gets some really fun storm moments where the water pulls out from the beach as though a tsunami's about to happen, and then you get these massive waves rolling in and crashing against the pier, and when you were standing up there (after sneaking through the storm barriers) you could feel the full force of the ocean like a living being taking heaving breaths. I might not be as keen on the ocean as I am on most other places, but I have to admit there's something very humbling about growing up next to an ocean. When you live next to something so massive and alien and forever alive, you lose any feelings of personal significance you once had, and trade them for a deep animalistic awe that never leaves you.

This is the best coverage I've seen of the whole swell! Such a great vid. Can only imagine what it must have felt like to be in the water, let alone catch one of those bombs! Hats off to anyone who paddled out that day!

It felt better getting out of the water alive, than catching the waves. Crazy day! Thank you for always bringing the awesome content!

Paddled into that same thing in '83. After almost drowning, learned my lesson. Was very lucky I was a healthy and active 17 year old...or I'd be dead. Big wave surfers are very brave individuals! 🤙

Lifelong San Diegan here; most of our county's surfers have little or no experience with massive waves. On any given day, our waves are far more likely to be far too small, than too big to handle.

This run is of biblical proportions...the New Year Run of 23...truly EPIC

Much respect for everyone out there and just committing. I don't surf much anymore, but this makes me so happy to see my SD peeps killing it and having the time of their lives. Get it!!!!

I'm an East Coast guy, have never experienced waves like that. I can't fathom even getting in the water with those monsters. Balls of steel.

I surfed the LJ area since 61. Only a few swells in that time were this big. Biggest I recall was in 81. That one had waves breaking 1/4 mile outside of the Crystal Pier. Next day we watched Horseshoe Reef at 25 plus Hawaiian scale-I rode the N.Shore there for a few years. One set’s surge came up the bluff and into the street at Hospitals. Great footage. Thanks.

Respect to the guys out there. This winter season is insane. Pow in the slope and swell in the shore. Yeew! 🤙

I moved to San Diego from the Midwest in 1978 for a mid level career opportunity. I was assigned six associates to supervise. On the third day in the office one of them called me early in the morning and called off work. I asked him if he was ill. He chuckled a bit and responded "Surf's up. Welcome to California." It was a culture shock but I understood. We became good friends but I would never risk my life like this. I would feel safer in combat. Great video!

These guys are so brave! I don't have the balls to do it. 6-8ft is my limit. LOL! I'll be a spectator until this big stuff dies down. Great video 📹 👍! Thank you, Brad. 😊

I was there that day! Chickened out and got outa the water before the waves hit. Mad respect to those in the water with those waves!🤙🏻

When I was stationed at Camp Pendleton I learned to surf at Trestles on a long board. I was the only black dude out there. They had nothing but love for me and it motivated me to become part of “our world”. I moved up to the short board 3years later. I never had the fortitude to ride anything over 6 ft, so I’m stoked to see these guys killing it. What a great video, bruh.

5:10 This entire ride and even dive off is too sick

As a young kid in the 70s, I remember digging out my mom's old Beach boys and Jan and Dean albums and seeing waves like that on the covers....as a Socal resident since 1999, I've never see waves like these! Awesome vid!!!

What I really appreciate about these surfers is that a lot of these waves closed out and they went anyway. That says a lot. Cheers mates!

Maximum respect to those guys, I can’t see any jet ski or safety boats like you often do, and to paddle onto one of those takes skill and balls. I hope you all made it home safely. Thanks for posting the video…I would love to see the drone footage! Personally I do no more than 4-6 ft on my body board or an inflatable lilo😂, it’s a good laugh trying to stay upright. Cheers from Paul , Southerndown, South Wales , UK . PS yes this is my 1980 Z28 Camaro 7.5L tuned up monster, I love old American cars 👌

Best edit of this day at Blacks by far. Great job Brad! Thanks for putting in work getting the shots!

I graduated from Point Loma High School in 1958. I surfed Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach and Wind 'n Sea on a ten foot Gordon and Smith board. I never saw waves like this or the number of surfers. We had one skeg (fin) and no tether to the board. I am now too old to carry a board let alone surf, however I loved the sport and enjoyed this video.

always look forward to clicking a new video of yours, Brad! friendly commentating, straight to the point surf footage, and some good wipeouts. one of the best surf channels around!

Thanks for the coverage,Brad !

Amazing footage!!! Thank u for posting this epicness 🎉❤

1-9-23!!! Yep!! fantastic vid. Thanks for the play-by-play!! It helped me, I miss those spots as I’m stuk in north texass!! Cheers to all good people and thanks again!!

Reminded me of the winter of 82-83....you guys are lucky to be out in this swell. Enjoy the ride!

Outstanding performance by all surfers and great show 👏

I made the three hour drive to rincon and had a dream session it was as good as it gets when the tide drained out a bit. I saw some waves in Ventura just spot checking that looked like they belonged at mavericks. What an unbelievable swell I hope everyone scored.

Thanks for the footage! I can’t surf anymore, but this brings back lots of memories! 🤙🏻

Awesome! From a old surfer. Inspiring and great footage. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks so much for the amazing footage, it mesmerizing. I am an ocean, swimmer and respect, surfers for the ability to handle that energy.

Loving the waves and the Beautiful sound of the ocean , I miss the beaches in So Cal 😢

Great footage Brad. Thanks for posting!

Over the top. Thanks Brad!

3:15 into the video = Stoke of a lifetime 🤙 That was rad

You can really hear the ocean talking in this video. I surfed a long ass time ago in Cali. Never saw waves that big. Great video.

This is awesome, it had to be so much fun for these surfers to experience such big waves

Awesome video. I fell in love with Ocean Beach when my daughter lived there so this video warms my heart. These surfers are amazing.

I got hypothermic just looking at that dude trunking it. i remember maybe a handful of swells this big in my years surfing So. Cal. This is one for the books. Anyone says California doesn't get like Hawaii never surfed a massive winter west swell. Mountains of water, close outs, clean up sets. These guys got the stones...kudos for just padding out.

Does anyone remember Swamis Christmas Day around 1974. Same conditions, maybe a tad smaller. I went out and got sucked backwards over the falls, on about a 12-14’ break. I just let it bounce me all the way in and I sat with the photographers!!!

Props to these guys for going out and pushing themselves. Im sure they all have some fun stories to tell after this.

I'm from SD really nice to watch this video thanks !

This is so amazing! Thank you for showing this waves and the surfers! God bless them

Holy Shit, that was awesome, it's talent no only surfing but to hold your breath for that long while taking a massive beating!! Double time!! LOL!!! 🌊

respect to all the brave guys who paddled out.

YES!!! I was at Newport Beach in 1985 when it was like this. The surf emptied out and there was only like 6 of us in it. TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

3:20 that dude claimed so hard after that choob he nearly knocked himself clean out 😆 No hate tho! I’d be stoked too, getting shacked like that out at 15ft Blacks! Heavy water that day for sure.

As a total non-surfer I have huge respect for these guys. They look so elegant and vulnerable on their tiny surfboards. Wish I had the skill and bravery to do this!

Great job covering this swell !..

Awesome vid, thanks Brad!!! Loved and subscribed.

I only bodysurf and NEVER in waves that BIG! That was Fun & Scary to watch, Serious Athletes to get out in that water. I remember going to watch a surf movie in La Jolla a long time ago called "Changes", a true life story about a surfer name Chris O'Rourke, Powerful! Thank You!!!!!

A lot of the Hawaiian big wave surfers admit that cold water just makes everything more difficult, holding your breath is much tougher, along with the restrictiveness of the wetsuit. So even if the waves might not be a little smaller, the cold water even things out.

Thank-you, brings back memories using an Alan board at Seal Beach in the 80's...great video!

Great footage! Thank you for using the ocean for sound rather than some crappy hard rock music.

You can really capture the size of the waves with surfers on them.

Best clip I’ve watched from this epic week!

insane. thanks for sharing. grew up PB and worked in La Jolla for 16 years. this is amazing@!

This may be the only thing I miss about living in California; watching the surfers. Other than that? Nope, don't miss it one bit. Happy for these guys to be able to ride some massive swells.

In the 90's I remember sponging Crystal Pier waves nearly pier high. Not a surfer in sight just giant walls rolling in no shoulders anywhere. Took 2 waves barrels big enough to drive a bus through! Iv"e sponged other big day spots P.B, Wind and Sea, Marine etc but that was genuinely the most fear ive experienced riding waves.

Thanks from across the pond. Double thanks for just letting the ocean be the music.

Remind me of winter 81-82, great post, thank you!

This is Amazing to watch, thanks for filming, Phenomenal skills, and the waves are extreme, hope no one was hurt...or worse..always such a risk to venture into such a randomly wicked wave occurance as this was...😵‍💫

That backhand at 3:12 yeew

Best vid on KZfaq so far in regards to our recent SD surf. Surprised there aren't more high quality vids like this uploaded to YT yet.

Some of the best may tag action ever. These guys are incredible.

Looks like Hawaii. I didn't know surf. Got that big in San Diego. Anyway, very impressive

Brad, thanks for good editing and lack of a terrible soundtrack. We got to see the entire story of most of the waves, meaning paddle for position and takeoff which I really appreciate, rather than just choppy editing into lip bashes and wipeouts. Also, the natural sounds of the surf make for a very watchable video. Quality content!

Those guys are so talented - fun to watch them.

Great call and great footage!

Looks like such an epic morning. Massive!

8:30 I feel for this guy who knows when he’s committed to this outside wave his only chance is to outrun the shoulder hopper who you could tell felt the mistake

heiyo great video! was looking all over for footage the massive swell and yours is perfect! the scale of those waves is crazy as hell

Yea man .. Lucky men .. Beautiful swell..Great Video...Thank U

Nice shots, especially rare was you showing the rider after the wave envelopes him and he makes it back to his board. Would have been nice to see footage taken from the beach level to compare size. Do waves look bigger from up on the bluffs?

Anyone else notice the shark at 8:48?? 😮

I don't think I've ever even seen a surf board shop in my life, but I found this video VERY enjoyable!!! 👍🏿

Excellent waves to start the year. Good on you bros!🤙

The only reason I'm a decent surfer is because of the hours I've put in at blacks. That wave taught me so much. It's been playful, downright mean, ugly, and beautiful.... It's always in my heart. I live far away from there now. But it's always in my heart.

About as good as Blacks gets... pretty nice holding the size for a beach break. I bet some places in Mexico were amazing as well as all up and down the coast. And it looks like of couple of those guys dragged out their dad's old long boards... Thanks for the video. B

I'm so stoked you came down for this one! Best footage for this swell I've seen. Thanks for all the great content!

Great video ‼️ thanks for sharing it!!

How this guy pulled this off, I will never know...(2:30)

Last time I saw it that big was 15 years ago ! I remember I’m the only guy that tries to paddle out a scripps pier it was breaking past the pier like this video touches on ! I tried next to the pier for 45 mins ! Nearly hitting the pillons like half a dozen times ! Ahhh I wanted it so bad !!!! Longest denial of my life ! Today I think I would have been terrorized! Wow what was I thinking!? I know ! No one was out !!!!!!!

Much appreciation for showing these waves breaking in SD. Never been on a surfboard. If boards are breaking what's doing to bodies. Respect those mad skills, enjoyed it.

Amazing shots, thanks for sharing

Wanted to see the guy trunking it get a wave!

Great footage!

Surfs up!!! I grew up in OB, Much respect to anyone who can surf these monsters.

The first time I went for it and rode a 15 ft at Old Mans..aka..Tourmaline my fear level was maxed but after making it I was good to go. In the late 90's the winter swell was huge for months. I wasn't a big wave rider but said to myself..I need to become one or I'll have to be a spectator. Great to see the new crew going for it.

Thanks Brad

Nice editing work, no dull spots.

This was dope af, i love SD!

Kudos to our cameraman!! Great footage!!

Born and raised in LJ,love the video thanks alot.