Ghost Trees facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ghost Trees |
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Pebble Beach, Del Monte Forest
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| Location | Pebble Beach, California |
| Coordinates | 36°33′39″N 121°57′06″W / 36.5608°N 121.9516°W |
Ghost Trees is a very famous big wave surfing spot. It is located near the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. The waves here break near a rocky shoreline called Pescadero Point.
On certain winter days, huge waves can form here. They can reach up to 60 feet high! This happens because of the deep Carmel Canyon nearby. Ghost Trees used to be called Pesky's. It is known as one of the most dangerous waves in the world. This is because of its shape, strong currents, and many underwater rocks. White sharks also visit this area.
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Ghost Trees: A Giant Wave
What Makes Ghost Trees Special?
Ghost Trees gets its unique name from the Monterey Cypress trees nearby. These trees are white and twisted, making them look like ghosts. This spooky look gave the surfing spot its memorable name.
The waves at Ghost Trees are incredibly powerful. They are formed by the deep Carmel Canyon. This canyon helps focus the ocean's energy. This makes the waves rear up to amazing heights. Surfing here is a huge challenge.
The History of Surfing Ghost Trees
Early Surfers and Challenges
One of the first people known to surf Ghost Trees was Fred Van Dyke. He bodysurfed the wave by himself in the early 1960s. For many years, local surfers and visitors tried to ride these waves. But most people agreed that the waves were too fast. They also broke too close to the dangerous rocks.
Tow-in Surfing and New Fame
In the 2000s, Ghost Trees became famous worldwide. This was thanks to tow-in surfing. This is when surfers are pulled into waves by jet skis. During this time, a surfer from Carmel named Don Curry officially named the spot Ghost Trees. He named it after the bleached cypress trees along the 17-Mile Drive.
As more people learned about Ghost Trees, it caused some disagreements. Professional surfers wanted to ride the waves on the rare good days. But local surfers wanted to keep the area a secret. They hoped to avoid large crowds.
A sad event happened in 2007. A beloved local surfer, Peter Davi, passed away at Ghost Trees. He was found in the water by other surfers.
Protecting the Ocean: Jet Ski Ban
In March 2009, jet skis were banned at Ghost Trees. This was because the wave is inside the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This rule helps protect the ocean and its wildlife.
Images for kids
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Don Curry surfing at Ghost Trees
