Surf: General: Possibly the best wave in the Humboldt area and easily the most photogenic. Don't think of bringing a camera, though, unless you want to take pictures of your colon. The wave generator at the Jetty is a semi-permanent sandbar carved out by the longshore current. As the current hits the jetty, it carves a deep, hollow channel in the sand, making for a pleasant, dry-hair paddle-out. The paddle-out may be easy, but the waves aren't. The peak starts breaking 200 to 300 feet from shore and pushes farther out as the swell increases, topping off at about triple overhead. The two main waves near the jetty, a short hollow right and a longer bowling left are the local surfers' most familiar ground -- don't be surprised if the water isn't the only thing that's chilly at the North Jetty. Tides: Medium to low Size: Chest high-2X overhead Wind: SE Swell: W, NW Bottom: Sand and jetty Paddling: Depends on size but generally a lot of paddling, especially when overhead. Spot Rating: Fun. Access: Easy. Take Samoa Boulevard (Route 255) from Eureka or Arcata and drive until you see the ocean at Samoa. Crowds: Crowd Factor: The most popular show on the lost coast. Local Vibe: Busy. Environment: Minimal and nothing really to worry about. Hazards: Locals. And sharks. Season: September-February