The moon is out and the surf is up

Surfing already seems challenging enough for those of us who can barely stay balanced on an air mattress in a swimming pool (a cup holder and waterproof magazine storage would probably help). So imagine the additional challenges and risks of surfing in the dark. Here's a first-person account in the OC Register about what night surfing is like near the Huntington Beach Pier:

And here, in the water, my friend Mike and I sit on our boards and chat, basking in the buttery glow of the pier lights. Suddenly, everything turns dark. A massive wave has risen to block what little light we have. Instantly, we turn and try to duck-dive under the beast. But we're too late. A wall of water flashes its foamy smile, crashes upon our heads and sweeps us back to shore. At night, everything about surfing is amplified. The waves seem bigger, faster, stronger ... sneakier.

One land lover's concern: Do sharks swim at night?

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times