Surf on The Rise at SoCal Beaches

Orange County - The ocean may be still a little chilly, but 8 to 10-foot sets at the Wedge and elsewhere, coupled with soaring temperatures, on Tuesday were enticing crowds to return to Newport and Huntington beaches, lifeguards said.

"Since this summer has been a bummer summer, this got people excited and rightfully so," Newport Beach Lifeguard Officer John Moore said of the big waves.

The up-to-10-foot sets at the Wedge are not exactly legendary size, but they're nice considering the tepid temperatures and lousy surfing this summer has offered, Moore said.

"For this summer, it's a very big day," he said.

At Huntington Beach, the sets were averaging about 7 to 8 feet, lifeguard Dan Kaiahua said.

"The crowds on the beach are fairly normal for us," Kaiahua said, adding that the water has heated up to about 62 degrees.

"I just got out of the water and it's pretty nice," he said.

Moore said it's good the crowds aren't so thick because it allows lifeguards to do more counseling of less-experienced surfers and warn them to stay away if they're not prepared for large waves.