For most beachgoers, a hurricane off the coast means rough swimming conditions, but for surfers, it could mean shredding larger waves.
Hurricane Erin will pass hundreds of miles away from Grand Strand beaches, but forecasters still expect dangerous ocean conditions such as strong rip currents and waves up to 7 feet tall. If the surf gets rough enough, beaches could even close their waters to the public, marked by two red flags.
For surfers that are looking to catch the storm swell, this can be a disappointing turn of events — but it appears that whether surfers can paddle out is often left up to the discretion of lifeguards and officials….