Good point Jon. They increase swell. I've read that
ships have been lost forced into kelp beds, and some
have lost masts in the swell before being beat to pieces
on the rocks.

I wonder how many have been lost on the coast of
California because of this?

"Capt. JG" wrote
I remember one time we went out in a friend Zodiac. Huge swells and people
were really getting green while struggling with their equipment. Finally,
I just grabbed the remainder of my stuff and went over the side... told my
buddy I'd meet him at 30 feet. The surge was amazing.

"Joe" wrote
Pt Loma just off San Deigo has a great kelp forest. Full of otters
eating clams. Use to love to dive the kelp there. But your right, it
can stop a boat in it's track.