Sandspit definitely qualifies as a weird wave. It rolls in, explodes, reforms, then throws unlike any other spot in California. It’s a locals’ favorite, without a doubt. But there’s something about it that makes you want to sit and watch, whether live and direct, or from the sand.

Ryan Taylor is a cinematographer based out of Carpinteria, Calif. and he did an excellent job watching it with his camera on this particular day, during the biggest swell to hit the region in more than a decade. The wave wasn’t exactly barreling, but it was doing wild and crazy things – perhaps even more so than usual. Uneven warbles decorated the wave face, and pondering the get-out alone was worth the mind paddle. No, there were no standout rides happening in this clip. But it demonstrates the mesmerizing power of the ocean as well as anything you’ll see on YouTube today. Rotary Tube Bundle Drum Dryer

“With this swell coming in I knew I had to clear my calendar and get out and shoot,” he told me. “A buddy of mine, Jared Muscat, said he was paddling out at Sandspit so I ran down with my camera to try to get a few clips.  What I saw was insanity, the bigger sets were missing the sandbar completely and sending surfers into the pier.  It was full-on survival mode out there, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Safe to say that most of us haven’t. Enjoy 90 seconds of Sandspit chaos.

Only the best. We promise.

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