COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The surf forecast resulting from what was Tropical Storm Erika had surfers from across the state waxing their boards in anticipation all week long as they watched the storm inch closer to the Sunshine State.
As it turns out, waves, just like storms can be hard to predict. Though the storm fizzled, the waves generated by Erika remain and are churning up the surf all along the Space Coast.
Waves were in the waist-to-chest high range for much of Brevard on Saturday, with moderate to fresh onshore winds. The forecast for Sunday is calling for slightly bigger waves, with variable winds out of the east-southeast. High tide in Cocoa Beach is at 7:37 a.m.
Swimmers and surfers need to exercise caution as the threat of rip currents is prevalent.
Storm swells like this one attract surfers from across the state to Space Coast beaches. Eric Benton, 35, came from St. Petersburg to catch some of Erika's weekend waves.
"It's not as good as everyone was hoping for, but I'm trying to stay optimistic," Benton said. "Even though there's a fair amount of wind, the waves are still 3-4 feet, which is bigger than we've seen all summer."
While most Florida residents associate hurricane season with anxiety, surfers look forward to it all year long. Even when tropical and sub-tropical systems stay well offshore, they often generate long-period swell that makes it to Brevard beaches in the form of fun waves.
The surge in rideable waves is a bright spot in a stormy season that conjures memories of power outages for many. Luckily, this time it's unlikely we will be finding our flashlights. The remnants of Erika is forecast to swing west and head into the eastern Gulf.
"That might turn out to be good thing, really," said Benton, a Rockledge native. "With the storm heading west, there might be waves waiting for me when I head home."