I traveled six hours to a regatta, and it was blowing 14-19 but the Sea State was 4 to 8,
and the RC canceled the day because the RC did not feel like bobbing like a cork all day.
Another time the RC could not get of of the Cut due to Sea State.
Please choose your RC wisely. (At least the RC was candid about it)

On another tack, a complimentary jet-ski would be nice to get thru the surf safely.
There is a huge difference between 22 on a lake, and 22 in the ocean?
ie. lakes tend to higher gusts, and ocean higher waves