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Proof You Don’t Need a Strong El Niño for an Epic Northern California Winter

I love all the different conditions that we endure during the winter months. It is my home and I am lucky to call it that. 

BY Jack Bober | Community

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    This is my home-break. It rarely gets like this and I am glad I was able to witness this epic day. Photo: Jack Bober

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    A perfect peeling outer bar bomb, with no one even close to being in position. Classic Nor-Cal. Photo: Jack Bober

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    I bet everyone can guess where this is. You’re right! Heavy Ocean Beach, good luck paddling out. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Urban A-frames. The colorful houses and a perfect peak. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Lefts need some love also! One that snuck by the outer bar and imploded on the inside. Photo: Jack Bober

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    This is primarily a summer spot. But, during a huge NW swell, it can look like this. Not too bad huh? Photo: Jack Bober

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    This was one of the last swells of the winter. In my opinion, it was the best. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Nothing better than swimming in conditions like this. Photo: Jack Bober

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    This was such a peaceful evening. 4-6 foot barrels rolling through. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Here’s one of my best friends, Michael Jennings. He goes on everything and is not scared to pull into barrels, even when on an 8 foot longboard. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Golden gate a-frames. Nothing more Northern California than this. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Heavy mutant slab, on a fine Santa Cruz morning. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Santa Cruz, land of the perfect rights. Photo: Jack Bober

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    Photo: Jack Bober

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    Photo: Jack Bober

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    Rex Hill doing a snap off of a small wave at Ocean Beach in the early months of winter. Photo: Jack Bober

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    The fires in Paradise, California, made for some pretty dramatic sunsets. Here's a fine example. Photo: Jack Bober

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    A beautiful backlit evening at a pretty epic wedge in Marin County, California. This night had a negative low tide which meant I was standing knee high with these bombs rolling through. Photo: Jack Bober

Even though it wasn’t a strong El Niño year here in Northern California, the waves pumped this winter. I’d say that four out of every seven days had good surf, which is definitely not bad for a place that consists of mostly beach breaks and needs off-shore winds to get good.

This gallery shows all the different faces of Northern California’s surf scene in the winter. Some days it can be three to five feet with perfect lines. You’ll look at the waves and wonder if you can ride them forever. Other days you’ll find yourself at 15-foot Ocean Beach, hurtling onto sandbars with one of the most dreadful paddles in the world. I love all the different conditions that we endure during the winter months. It is my home and I’m lucky to call it that.

Give photographer Jack Bober a follow on Instagram.