Before Mavericks -Tijuana Sloughs
Tijuana Sloughs
The hardcore surfers who rode the Tijuana Sloughs, south of Imperial Beach, California, right next to the international border with Mexico, are unquestionably the most unknown of California’s standout surfers of the 1940s and even later.
The Tijuana Sloughs was the site of California’s first assault on big surf. It began with body surfing and riding soup on very crude equipment – even “wooden doors” – in the late 1930s. After World War II, Sloughs big wave surfers grew from a handful of surfers riding planks to a couple dozen locals and visitors from all over Southern California riding redwood/balsa’s and then, finally, Simmons “machines.”
Although many of those who rode the Sloughs would go on to find more consistent big wave surf in the Hawaiian Islands, the Tijuana Sloughs remained California’s premiere big wave spot until Mavericks – outside Pillar Point Harbor, just north of Half Moon Bay – was regularly surfed at the beginning of 1990.
Related News
For the Xavi Surf family El Porto—that beloved beach break in the heart of Manhattan Beach—is h...
Tucked away in the rustic reaches of northern San Diego County, there's a stretch of coast that...
For surfers constantly chasing those prized lefts, scoring one in LA's lineup of point breaks ca...
Alright, we've got to address the elephant seal in the room right away - yes, the name is crass a...
The Lineup
Just a few sandy steps from the hustle of Los Angeles, there's a little slice of beach...
HEY Y'ALL - Check out this special note from Surfrider Foundation - Ventura County Chapter · Plea...