Kolohe Andino didn't advance deep into the Fiji Pro, but the upside was that he was able to spend a bunch of time at home which happened to correspond with a bunch of fun south swells. Here’s this weekend. "It was nice to have some waves around town," he said. "After two bad results it felt good to be able to work on my craft and get ready for the next event." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Hey, it’s not Puerto or anything, but there are far worse ways to spend a Saturday morning. And Sunday morning. And Monday morning. Oceanside. Photo: Eric Henderson

The nice thing about south swells in Santa Cruz is that some of the points that are a little mushy in wintertime get all crisp and fast and lined up in summer. Photo: Matt Kurvin

"I've been so surf stoked every time I've been home 'cause there has been such a consistent flow of good south swells," says Pat Guduaskas. "It feels like a surf trip between surf trips with how much we've been surfing quality waves. Was fun having all the groms in town for the recent Lowers events, too -- that energy is contagious and makes you want to surf all day long." Photo: Joe Foster

"This particular wave was that moment when all the airplane rides, layovers and long drives down unfamiliar roads just fade away and you can't stop smiling,” Kohl Christensen said. Sequence: Rick Briggs

South swells can be pretty frustrating in Huntington Beach. Plenty of size, but super walled with a good dose of current thrown in for good measure. The northside against-the-grain rights are often the only game in town, as Teddy Navarro illustrates here. “That south swell was nonstop,” he said. “For four days it pulsed with light wind. Saw some amazing waves in the backyard with just a couple guys out due to the size and current. Stoked!” Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg / Video: Teddy Navarro

Jake Kelly, airborne without air wind. Photo: Cory Gehr

After a decade-long string of frothy visitors, Southern Nicaragua is not holding many secret spots these days. Here’s one. Photo: Brian Scott

“This swell exceeded people's expectations as it lasted at least three or four days,” Tom Rezvan said. “On one mid-morning I paddled out at Newport and on my second wave I caught a set that had three sections throw over me. I watched all the boys get shacked this day.” Photo: Stan Sievers

"Surfed this spot the day before and it was out of control," Brad Ettinger said. "Tons of closeouts and current. Showed up the next day and it was about as good as it gets. Brought a buddy and we were just laughing. Perfect and nobody around. I think the day before had scared everyone away. " Video: Brad Ettinger

“I didn't expect this swell to be pumping so hard,” Andrew Jacobson said. “I thought it was just going to be another inconsistent south. But this one was different because it was actually pretty peaky at the beachbreaks and super clean conditions all day. Plus the water warmed up like five degrees through out the swell, I could of worn trunks. So this was a really fun swell around home.” Photo: Cory Gehr

The thing about skateparks – and Kelly’s Surf Ranch -- is that they don’t really change at all from day to day or season to season. That’s what makes Lowers so rad – when it starts breaking properly, you know it’s summer. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Balaram Stack has been taking full advantage of an active Southern Hemi couple of weeks. First Teahupoo, then Nicaragua. Photo: Rick Briggs

Dylan Goodale is another Hawaiian vagabond who spends a lot of time in SoCal, especially in the summer. "All of California has been good lately but rather than hit Lowers and hang around OC with everyone and their mother, I've been shooting north and exploring a bit," he said. "Gotta keep things fresh and less crowded." Photo: Jeremiah Klein / Video: Sean Stanley

Nicaragua has quite a few Outer Reefs. Here's another. Photo: Meatball

Another fine example of a south swell hitting a Santa Cruz point. Photo: Matt Kurvin

"Every time I surf the Wedge and make it back to the beach with my board and body in one piece it's a huge success,” Oliver Kurtz said. “Friday was definitely the biggest I've ever surfed it but the best ones were way on the inside in between the sets. Looks like I'll get another shot this week.” Photo: Shane Grace

Jason Bennett is more familiar with the quirky sandbars around the Oceanside Pier than most – and it shows. Photo: Eric Henderson

The Ventura area isn’t known for its south swells, but again, if you know where to look…Matt McCabe knows where to look. Photo: Justin Mehren

As illustrated here at Lowers, Kanoa Igarashi’s frontside carve is better known than his backside tuberiding, which means we could see a fine performance at J-Bay from the young man. Video: Josh Pomer

Black’s is another winter spot that can do quite well on a south swell. Ryland Rubens illustrates. Photo: Sean Evans

Lance Moss has been living in Nicaragua for years now, and has helped pioneer many of the breaks in the southern region of the country. Here’s some more pioneering, a decade-plus into it. Photo: Rick Briggs

“It's really good down here, pretty much every spot on the West Side and every spot on the East Side was firing,” Nat Young explained. “Waves that usually only get good in the winter were good last swell. Everywhere was good -- you couldn't go wrong.” Photo: Matt Kurvin

Tyler Gunter is a young Wedge aficionado, but occasionally he ventures out to other places. Especially once it blows out or blackball comes up. Photo: Pat Nolan

Slab-wise, Nica’s most known for its Outer Reef left, but recently, some rights are being discovered. Sean Pearson. Photo: Brian Scott

Baron Mamiya understands, as many young Hawaiian pros have for years, that June is the time to show up in SoCal with your A game. A bunch of contests, no shortage of swell and photographers… Photo: Joe Foster

Noah Collins, optimistic frontside grab. Photo: Cory Gehr