Surfing’s Best-Kept Secret

California surf is neither “overrated” nor “more crowded” if you know where and when to look for surf (“Surf and Turf,” by Dan Neil, 800 Words, July 29). Surf happens on the few winter days a year that Rincon “goes off,” wrapping 10-foot-plus waves from the Indicator to the sea wall. Smaller days are about fun, conditioning and practicing for big days. On small days, we goof around. On big days, we surf.

You need to arrive at Rincon at 5:30 a.m. on a cold January morning. Paddle out in the dark and wait for first light. You will enjoy more than an hour of world-class waves until the latecomers arrive at 7 a.m.

Bill Smart

Santa Barbara