Jellyfish

[BrianSB]

It's not a rare occurence for me to see a jellyfish at Campus Point.

I've seen jellyfish at least 6-7 times total there in the past year. I've seen them near the point, the bomb shelter thing? haha, and poles close to the seaweed patches. When I was out about 2 months ago my foot hit the head of one while I was waiting for a wave. Needless to say, i've been seeing them often enough that I'm going to start wearing my booties again.

There isn't much information on the web, I've asked my buddy who works at the marine biology lab at campus point and he said he'd look into it.

Are these jellyfish anything to be worried about? The most severe result of a jellyfish sting is death, and the least severe result of a jellyfish sting seems to be, from what I've read, extreme pain.

I know that the sting can't pass through a wetsuit, but I'm concerned especially for my feet if I'm not wearing booties because that's pretty much the level where you're most likely to be stung. Aswell as my hands when I'm paddling.

[JonS]

It's not a rare occurence for me to see a jellyfish at Campus Point.

I've seen jellyfish at least 6-7 times total there in the past year. I've seen them near the point, the bomb shelter thing? haha, and poles close to the seaweed patches. When I was out about 2 months ago my foot hit the head of one while I was waiting for a wave. Needless to say, i've been seeing them often enough that I'm going to start wearing my booties again.

There isn't much information on the web, I've asked my buddy who works at the marine biology lab at campus point and he said he'd look into it.

Are these jellyfish anything to be worried about? The most severe result of a jellyfish sting is death, and the least severe result of a jellyfish sting seems to be, from what I've read, extreme pain.

I know that the sting can't pass through a wetsuit, but I'm concerned especially for my feet if I'm not wearing booties because that's pretty much the level where you're most likely to be stung. Aswell as my hands when I'm paddling.

Brian,

We don't usually have too much of a problem locally except for years when the sea temps are unusually cold (La Nina). Unfortunately, this happens to be one of those years. Don't worry about getting stung. The effects (burning sensation) are very short lived. In places like Australia or even the East Coast the varieties of jellyfish are much more dangerous than the ones we sometimes see here.

[BrianSB]

Saw 2-3 jellyfish today at Campus Point :\.

Was out 4-6PM, was originally gonna stay till 8. I spot the darned thing around 5:30. Then decide to paddle back out, spot it + another AGAIN :\.

One was small, and didn't look like the other two, white.

The other two looked similar, transclucent but with somor neon-esque color to it + no strings it seemed. One was larger than the other, bit bigger in circumference than a basketball.

I realize that when you go surfing, there is always a risk point blank period. Be it drowning...colliding with someone, hitting a rock, hitting your own surfboard etc etc etc. Jellyfish happens to be one of them.

However, I couldn't help but feel spooked + I stayed on my belly hands + feet up in the air on a shortboard. Just decided to head in even though the waves were really fun + wasn't too crowded. Each day it's lining up better and better and the size is def. increasing.

I'm going to wear my booties + gloves tmrw.

[BrianSB]

Spotted another beast at the end of my surf today at campus.

Different one this time.

Very strong bright red, very noticeable. ~~ Just when I was getting comfy after a few sessions without spotting one.

[morgan]

brian-
the jellyfish here are of no threat. the very large purple/red/clear headed ones are the only to sting, but it is only a slight sting (especially compared to the man-of-war of florida!). if you do see a large jelly, tread lightly around it because they have nearly invisible, fishing line-like tenticles that extend roughly 10 ft. past their meaty tail, which is what gets you. rarely has a sting forced me to get out of the water, and in those rare cases i simply went up on the beach and did the old pee trick. also, i have never, ever seen someone encounter serious pane from one, and i have watched beasts of jellyfish float down packed beaches like miramar. every summer of my life (sans 1) has been spent trunking it all-day, everyday possible in santa barbara. don't let them affect you or your enjoyment of the ocean one bit.
morgan

[BrianSB]

brian-
the jellyfish here are of no threat. the very large purple/white headed ones are the only to sting, but it is only a slight sting (especially compared to the man-of-war of florida!). rarely has a sting forced me to get out of the water, and in those rare cases i simply got out and did the old pee trick. otherwise, every summer of my life (sans 1) has been spent trunking it all-day, everyday possible in santa barbara. don't let them affect you our your enjoyment of the ocean one bit.
morgan

Hey Morgan,

thanks for your reply, it's good to hear from someone whose actually experienced a sting.