I hate it when the weekend comes and the waves go flat. I should be used to it. It seems lately that is always the case. I'm a day late with my weekly journal entry because some other commitments that captured my Sunday. However, I woke early ready and willing to go surfing despite the cold, but received a call from Brian that despite the small, but building surf, conditions were not very good for surfing. Too bad.
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It's hard to tell from this photo, which was taken while
sitting at a red light when I was leaving, but the waves
weren't bad for a mid-week surfing session. |
Fortunately, I did make it out last Tuesday afternoon. I used some of my fitness release time to leave work a little early and chase to Gtown for a late afternoon surf session. I made it to the 43rd street jetty about 4:20, which gave me only an hour-and-a-half before it would be too dark to surf. The rip current didn't look like it was easy to navigate so I decided to paddle straight out a little away from the jetty. I struggled getting out. I was pushed back to shore, knocked off my board and moved around so much, that I didn't think I would ever get to the outside. Perseverance paid off and I eventually made it out. I was a little tired, but sat on my board for a little while to regain my strength and confidence. When I looked up again, I had moved from the east side of the jetty to the west and, in fact, was being pushed by the current and wind toward the 45th street jetty. Once I realized it, I paddled against the current and, eventually, decided that I would need to catch a wave in and walk back to jetty 43. For the next hour, I paddled and fought the current. I caught a few waves and had one really good, long ride where I even turned. However, I need to work on my pop up again. I feel like I'm fumbling with it. Fortunately, I can practice my pop-up on my living room floor just like I did when I was just learning four years ago. I really need the practice.
According to all the surf forecasts, the north wind that blew in today (Monday) will cause it to be flat for the rest of the week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Friday, but it's not looking good. I sure hope that the forecasts are wrong.
