By Anonymous , 16-11-2009

Moved to Monterey a few months ago - I've been checking out Carmel quite often, and although it's a pretty area, the surf is not that great. When it's glassy, the waves are real small. When the outer points are 35 ft plus, the shore break is DOH+ and unride-able. I've only seen it once where there was a fun looking right hander bowling near the rock cropping. It looks like it has potential, but it never seems like the 2 major factors come together often: wind, and swell.

So far, I'd rate this place a 2 out of 5, just because it seems so fickle.

By blast19 , 25-06-2009

A good spot - People in the water are almost always fairly friendly unless it's going off and then everyone can get a bit more serious...but most people in the water are chill.

Doesn't get too crowded usually and if you're happy taking some lesser waves there's a lot of beach. I surf it often and think it's a decent place to hit if you're in the area and catch it on the right day.

By Anonymous , 25-02-2009

found my marbles, destroyed my ego... - yeah, i've come full circle from jaded cocky local to born again grommet! my perspective has changed since i posted that lame comment a couple years back...lesson 1)dont post comments when you are in a angry negative state of mind..anybody who really knows me knows this posting was all hot air, chest pounding, male ego bullshit aimed at pissing people off...wow,pretty insecure ,huh? im actually a really nice guy... with some issues.(we all got em") im more of the sensitive, poetic type...which sometimes makes it hard to get set waves..never been the tough guy...but i can talk tough on the internet like a lot of others. i was in a negative state of mind then...and looking back i can only laugh at myself...i guess i was listening to too much Tupac and smoking too much weed. a number of events have happened to make me realize that just living and breathing are such gifts and i've fallen in love with every moment. its weird, i enjoy just duckdiving now as much as a clean tube...i hope we can be friends again anonymous dude...lets meet at the beach and,if you dont like bong hits we can roll a little joint...let someone else be aggro pissed local...its so draining of my chi...not me. saw this documentary on doc Paskowitz and it reminded me of how beautiful, sacred, and healing surfing is ....sometimes it goes to your head. so yeah dont take that posting too seriously...it wasn't thought out obviously...i have to admit whoever you are your posting actually made me laugh...at myself! no one has called me by my last name since high school p.e. class! i have a life again,better than ever, and it revolves around surfing and maintaining a positive view of life. please dont be hater! i never really thought much of my bottom turn, but Ronnie Rippits is classy and recognizable all the way down the beach....i think part of the negative state came from being in unhealthy relationship not stoked on my job.,..way..nutted up ...a combination of factors .anyone ever been there? oh well life happens...and its really short...can't we just all have fun? growing up kinda sucks, but im working at it!! its kinda creepy that you got inside info regarding my personal life...but hey, its a small town...even smaller the older i get. sounds like we need have a "bro session" one day ...but u didnt leave your name ...i did. sometimes you have lose yourself to find out exactly who you are..i found my marbles, and im loving life again . remember...every ripper was once a kook...me, you , even slater...every man was once a baby...everyone rips. who cares just go surfing and try to love everything and everyone...i dont want to lose friends and i appreciate your feedback....EACH ONE TEACH ONE...see you at the beach!! lets be friends again ...whoever you are! peace,love,respect, a deep tube, we are all after the same thing..IRIE VIBES

By Anonymous , 06-11-2008

Hey Anonymous from Sept ! - Yeah, I hear you man, you got this place down pretty good, I have been surfing here for number of years and know a lot of locals....the things you said about that kook Bjorn Ibsen are very scary accurate....I've seen him and some of his friends in action, I actually USED to be friends with him, but his massive ego and self righteousness ran over that friendship. Can you believe someone would write, "I hope I don't run into any of you maggots" or " I can't wait to fade some random fool who thinks he's me?" What the hell is that ? Word on the beach is that his bottom turn fell apart when his girlfriend told him to "screw " and he lost his marbles shortly after , and has caused hell on every girl that ever dumped his ass!! ...real tough guy , huh ? Sounds like one bong hit too many... and a sucking on that bong day in and out has caught up with this dude and now whose the " random fool"? Get a life Ibsen !

By Anonymous , 23-09-2008

Nice Surf.......folks a bit kooked out! - I enjoyed the nature and the character of Carmel, but I didn't enjoy the brotherhood I recieved there...For surf folk who profess to be so open minded and welcoming, there was a very diferent vibe here, ironically enough after reading BJORN IBSENS' little writing a few columns down and his monologue on how surfing is interpreted by him there, I can see very clearly that if what he writes represents the bulk of the surfing atitude there than , name calling, belittlement, personal importance , ego clinging ,self centered importance ,self righteousness, are right at the center of that UGLY writing of his about 1 year ago, and for him to think that he represent his other brothers with that talk is the pinnacle of arrogance..thanks for listening !

By Anonymous , 19-09-2008

locals - I got so vibed and hasled at this spot. I came back to my car to find the windsheild waxed with "go home". I don't know man, not worth the close outs, that's for sure. fuck that place.

By littlepinkwave , 13-01-2008

- Surfed Carmel and loved it Can't wait to go back. Amazing waves one right after the other. Took my husband and even got him to ride a few. Which isn't a easy task. Great place for learning and for advanced surfers just depending where you go. Everyone there seems to be very friendly and full of love. Keep the stoke..

Peace love surf.

By BJORN(know me,fools) IBSEN , 08-08-2007

true local speaks up! - taking a trip to mex in a month so i thought i'd get on the net to check the spots there....got bored so i thought it might be fun to look at my zone to see how much it's been exploited...blown away. this is my first time on this site...and I'm already pissed off! All these fucking kooks talking shit on CArmel locals best check themselves...yeah..go surf the hook or penis point up in silicon beach....spend less time on the computer and more time paying dues!!! I grew up on Carmel beach...and I'm not rich and neither were my parents...or theirs....spend less time worrying about others' economic standing and more on your bottom turn..kook!Go spend a winter in Kauai and learn something called respect....only the real locs know who the real locs are ...for they have been sharing waves their entire life!!! such is the case in every surf community! these fools who want to talk shit are really missing the point...if our wave sucks so much...why take the time to tell everyone???? jonny and nick (my bros) surf good cause they grew up on a sick wave surfing with a tight knit local crew who surf really well.where do you think their style came from..wathing the bros above them killing it while they sat on geek peek!..simple..they have respect ,they get respect. o.k. they didn't go to high school like the rest of us....that's alot of time in the water!! I still live in carmel valley, where I grew up....still not rich...still getting my waves I've payed dues for....I'm so inspired by all these disrespectful comments...I'm headed to fullers right now..it's my day off ...hopefully
i won't run into any of you maggots..I can't wait to fade some random fool who thinks he's me!!! to all you haters...don't surf here...to all you lovers...of life...of surf...welcome....show some love and maybe one of the boys might do the same!!!!!! Bjorn's unofficial list of surfers you should know...chris maguire,viktor klinger,ryan gilman,ron triplett,darren sorenson,craig cox, tony montenegro,richard mole,craft bros., zach downing, cristian cummings,paul smith,aespet jordan, brendan wahl, billy brewer,armin yeager,davi's and dyerle's,famous jamas and the landing crew...oh yeah, and me, BJORN ......local and loving it! haters go back to O.C., or S.C.,or N.Y.C.! WHAT UP TO ALL THE BROS..keep it real...keep it loc!

By Anonymous , 14-07-2007

- It's no place to travel to for surf. Santa Cruz is much much better in so many ways such as to learn, for long rides and warmer water not to mention 10 times the surf spots. The place is pretty though.

By Jason 'Mongoose' , 20-05-2007

Good To Go - Wicked fast break and you can lineup for the rights or lefts depending on which side of the beach you want. Park your car in the lot, walk down the hill and get to it. If you take the right side of the beach you might even get hit with a golf ball from the 12th green of Pebble Beach.

The water is going to be colder then you're used due because the location is an excellent 'upwelling' (where damn cold abyss water rises from the depths along the shelf) so a hoodie and booties are a damn near requirement. FAST wave and protect your head if you pearl - seen plenty of broken noses (surfboards and people).