High Surf on February 13, 2010

These were the conditions at Gibbs Beach on the morning of February 13. The waves were, I think, between two and three metres in height. Because Gibbs is a relatively steep beach, these waves did not break until they were right on the shore.

Unbeknown to me, as I was taking this video the Good Hubby was happily undressing and getting ready to go in. As soon as he entered the water, however, he realized he should come out again. However, this meant turning his back on the surf.

I watched in mounting horror as he got slammed down repeatedly by waves that stood maybe three feet taller than him. The last wave dragged him along the bottom by his face. He must have hit a rock on the way, because when he came out of it his cheek was swollen to the size of a grapefruit and his chin was coursing with blood.

Hindsight is a great thing. I have now discovered that the meteorological section of the Ministry of Agriculture website had posted for that day: "Moderate to rough in open water with swells 2.5-3.5 m. A small craft warning is in effect for above normal northerly swells. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for large battering waves."

My italics. No kidding!