Locked In

This kitten won't lose his mittens. They are so warm. One benefit of a longboard is that you can ride in more conditions (even when the waves are small).

While waiting for an e-bay auction, I re-read parts of "The Book of Surfing." It was helpful 'cause there are things I forgot or maybe didn't fully understand when I first read it. I caught a lot of good rides and I was locked into trim on four waves (thanks to the book).

So this is what I got on e-bay. It's going above my couch. How sweet is that?

Mittens & Indo

Picked up some 7 mil mittens (my gloves are 5 mil). Had to go to 4 shops. The first three were closed. You can't trust those surfers (they march to their own beat). Also picked up an Indo Board. Last time I tried one of these things I nearly killed myself.

People can do some sick stuff on these Indo Boards. Check out some you tube videos.

F-Bomb

That's what I have for gloves...Rip Curl F-Bomb. Well they're not cutting it. I'd still be out there but my fingers are NUMB. Next stop--surf shop for some winter gloves.

Went out an hour and a half earlier than planned. I saw a surfer out there so I wonder to myself, (Do they know something I don't?) And without reason out I go.

Hit my steepest wave yet. Not biggest, but steepest. What they say is true. The steeper the wave, the quicker the pop-up. I pick up these tidbits online 'cause the surfer certainly won't give you this advice.

That's Right

I take my showers in the Atlantic. You wanna play games with me WWOOF? That's alright. I've got waves right here!

I could tell last night that there were gonna be good waves today. Where are all my critics/photographers when I am nailing it??? Been practicing my turn in my living room. It's a very subtle move. Hips and Shoulders.

I don't know if I've ever told you guys what an incredible feeling surfing is!!!!!

If your hands are cold 'cause you got water in your gloves and you've been out for 3 hours--do not, I repeat do not take your gloves off when you get out of the water in the dead of winter. Big Mistake.

Redux

So I'm at 7-11 and John, the owner, asks, "How's Business?" I tell him business is great! He then asks, "What are you doing?" I tell him, "Nothing." We both started laughing. I think he finally gets it.

"Swallowing colors of the sound I hear. Am I just a crazy guy? You bet."

Maze

You should see the maze that Fran, my neighbor, has concocted to get around the snow bank and access the beach. I'm spent by the time I get through that thing.

Had a spectacular view of Wood Island Lighthouse out on my board. It's a workout when you haven't been surfing in a while. Had a few good rides. Had some better wipeouts!!!

Eugene must have read the blog 'cause he was all apologetic and did two repairs(he found another ding) for $30. Usually one repair is $65.

Alright, let's see if I can navigate my way back through this maze.

$#@%

Mean waves today and no word from Eugene. I dropped my board off last Thursday and told him I needed it for today. I called him yesterday. What the $#@%? The same thing happened last time (blog entry "Try Take Me For A Ride" Sept 18,2010).

Clarity

During Savasana today, I had a revelation.

I fear the approaching waves when I paddle for them. As I pop up there is a stillness. Then out of nowhere comes a euphoric liberation.

That my friends is surfing.

Morning Glory

Biggie Smalls

It's amazing how the ocean can be so big one day and so small the next. I was out there nonetheless. Had a bunch of rides. Nothing to write home about, but I tell you what. It was FUN!!!

Got a ding in my board yesterday so I gotta bring it to Eugene to have it fixed.

There were no winners to the trivia contest. Too bad. The prize was an all expense paid vacation for two to Hawaii. Better Luck Next Time.

Look at this mountain I have to contend with just to hit my home break.

Here We Go--Local News

See if you can find Big Wave in this clip.

http://www.wmtw.com/video/26473723/detail.html

Red Eye/Whiteout

Baltimore was two nights of Rock 'n Roll. What a great town!!! Here I'm chillin' with my boy Poe. This was at the Horse where he used to hang. In fact, it was the last place he was seen alive.

The surfmobile was psyched to be in action again. My board, well I think she knew I had been with another. I'm gonna be on the evening news tonight. There's been a big parking controversy at Higgins. If I don't get footage for the blog, then I'll fill you in (hopefully I get the footage). I nearly caught my biggest wave yet. One more paddle and I was there. Maybe a little fearful, but real upset with myself afterwards. The surfmobile almost got towed, but I sweet-talked the popo.

Mocked

Went surfing in Longboat Key. Look on a map there is no name for this beach. I'm calling it Point Dave. I don't think anyone has ever surfed here--it's a closed off beach with a bunch of silverbacks. The waves didn't have any umph. Then out of nowhere a dolphin starts taunting me and rides a wave in right next to me. I'm serious. After a long while....I finally caught a couple.

This was the 25th place I've been surfing (or in the water with a board). Trivia to my avid readers. See if you can name all 25 spots. There will be a prize to the first person to answer correctly.

Off to Baltimore. Time to get stoooooooopid!!!!

Down Payment Blues

"Got myself a Cadillac, but I can't afford the gasoline."

Board looks sexy though!

Fingers Crossed

A thunder storm is scheduled to roll in. All reports indicate waves tomorrow and Friday. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
This is a pic of my office (Ball-z South). It's the only place I can pick up a signal. No complaints. There are two bottlenose dolphins that play in the ocean behind me each day.

Up Up & Away

Went parasailing today. It was not what I had expected. In fact, it was just the opposite. Imagine sitting in your most comfortable chair in absolute silence. Well that's parasailing. Except your 1200 feet in the air with a beautiful view.

This guy with me is originally from Biddeford Pool. What are the odds? It may be a small world, but I wouldn't wanna have to paint it.

Fruitless

Today's efforts brought me to Nokomis Beach, Turtle Beach, Venice Beach, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria Beach. All to no avail.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Took my dad to Hooters for lunch. The waitress we had should be working at Tijuana Flats. He was very disappointed to say the least.

In today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune there was an article about surfing and I quote, "That's the life of a surfer in Southwest Florida, one of the worst coastlines in the country for consistent waves." What do you think I've been telling you!!!

Rocket Science

New Year -- New Waves
Surfed Kelly Slater's home turf today, Cocoa Beach. Also home to the largest surf shop in the world, Ron Jon Surf Shop. Waves were real choppy and sloppy. It felt good just to be in the water again. After the surf, I went cruising at 17,500 mph. Here is a pic I took from my space mission aboard the shuttle.



NASA: It is Rocket Science