Dawn Patrol in San Diego

Tourmaline Surfing Park

Butch and I got up at 4 am to drive to San Diego from his house in La Quinta. Waves were waist to head high and glassy. We both rode our inflatible paddle boards. His is 10' Uli and mine a 9'3'' C4.

The Inflatible boards are a fun challenge. You really have to concentrate on riding the board. We surfed off the point in the distance. The tide was low and big rocks and ledges were sticking out of the water. Since the swell was alittle inconsistant many waves broke only a few feet from dry rock. The waves hit these hollow boils caused by the rocks under water and the water sucks out from the bottom of the wave. The inflatible boards are slower and made these sections a real challenge.

I also almost ran over a surfer girl that had turned around and was paddling toward shore when i caught a head high set wave. I was in a wide leg stance just trying to steer away from her when she looked back over shoulder to see me coming right at her. The look she had on her face was priceless! I missed her, but it made me laugh thinking of riding over her on the inflatible board.I know, it shouldn't.

"Santa, all I want for Chrismas is a set of waist high glassy waves."

I guess I was a good little boy this year! DW got this sequence today. Thanks D! What a week for waves.

Next week I might get some San Diego shots with the "blow up doll".

SUP n' Surf At Masonboro

Tough economic times turns a paddle board into a tow boat. I glued an Easy Plug to the bottom nose of my surfboard and one to the back of my paddle board, in order to tow my surfboard across to Masonboro. It worked great. I used the surf board leash to attach the two. Not only can I have both boards with me but I have an extra leash if one brakes. I also found it just as easy to wear the leash instead of attaching it to the paddle board. It's probably safer as well.





For what I could tell, it takes about 8 minutes to paddle back across against the tide and wind. The toughest part is transporting the boards and paddle to the water. The traditional paddle board "shoulder carry" seems to be easier than the hand grip with gloves on.



Paddling out not quick enough (part 1).

Paddling out not quick enough (part 2).

Not paddling out quick enough (part3).

FUN surf with nobody out. I didn't see anyone coming or going. A weekend rarity at mas. Thigh to chest high with perfect shape and light NNW winds. Great for paddle boarding.

Travel Day, Good Surf Again!

Mission Beach Thanksgiving.

Cylinder City

The next shots are from Tourmaline Surfing Park aka. "Old Mans". I perfect place for long rolling waves. The wave can break for hundreds of yards during big swells. A great SUP wave. I saw wave being rode for agout 50 yards before even breaking.

A Break In The Weather For Perfect Surf

Mission Beach Tuesday morninig.

Offshore winds, chest high and plenty of room to catch all the waves I wanted.

West Coast Vacation

Today, late afternoon at Windansea. One kid out catching the shorebreak. He was taken off and trying to launch airs where the shorebreak comes together. I almost put my wetsuit on and went out. It's hard to find this place empty. It doesn't seem to be SUP friendly from what I hear. When its's bigger wave break way outside, that's when to go on the SUP.




Sunset Cliffs before I suited up. I little rough and disorganized but no one out and good for the paddle board. I SUPed alone for about an hour before 3 other people came out. I compare this wave to our inlet on a big day. The wave holds up really well. The paddle board makes all the sections and the paddle out is easy. Getting in and out of the water with the rocks is the hard part.

Another shoot of Sunset Cliffs. My camera is on zoom, the wave is pretty far out. We would be calling this set well overhead back home. I would say it has a good 10 foot drop down the face with a 6-7 foot shoulder. What I would have done to have my 8' Ripper. I surfed a rented 9' 6" Jerry Lopez Sound of Music.

This is Sunday at Windansea, my first surf. Windansea is a tricky wave. It comes in at an angle and makes the wave A frame and jack up. It looks simple from shore but will toss you over in a second. There're lots rocks that cause the wave to boil up and barrel.... The weather has been unusual for San Diego. Lots of rain and wind on Saturday and half of Sunday. Beautiful today, just like home. The typical weather patterns bring lots of fog and light winds that give them A+ surf conditions most days.

Good & Crowded

Saturday at Masonboro.

Masonboro Today

unknown

me

sets

Solid head high surf today. Thanks to the B-Dogg for the shots.

A Guerilla Learning To SUP

Check out the hand grip. And zoom in and check out my facial expression.


Steady.....Don't look down.

A blast from the past.

Most guys try SUP a couple times and give up. "How am I ever going to relax and surf this thing?" I remember thinking to myself.

PS> I think I feel a cold coming on! Check our forecast, it may be contagous. Call the boss and let him know you will be missing a few days.

Last "Work " Week Surf

WASTED! Who the heck was suppose to be watching the pier? Slackers.


B-Diddy Jones

Rob

Steve

Masonboro's Back!!!!

Should I stay or should I go.

Damit, one got away.

Lots of running today. Running to get out. Running back to the boat after my leash broke. Running back to the line up again. Running back to the boat to get to get home.

Oh yeah. Lots of barrels today too. Barrels standing. Barrels crouched. Barrels while backside rail grabs. Barrels deep. Barrels that hit you on the back. Short barrels. Barrel of monkeys. Suedo barrels. You name it.

Storm Swell

Today after the wind came up.


Tuesday

Tuesday carnage.

Big Thursday, North End Pier.

Weekenders

Z


Greeeeeat Scott! It's... Scott.

Don't get all worked up. It's only thigh high. What a beaut.