A 3-D Surf Movie and a Few Little Waves

Social media can definitely be helpful sometimes. The other day while reading Facebook posts, a FB friend who oversees the local chapter of a surfing organization, posted about two surfing events taking place. One was a fundraiser in Galveston benefitting the man who made my second board and who was injured during a tanker surfing event when the boat threw him. His back was injured, and because of the lost of income he has sustained due to his injury, some of the local surfers held a silent auction to raise money for him. The other event was an announcement about the premier of an independent 3D documentary about a couple of big wave surfers. While I will contribute to the funds being collected for the tanker surfer, I decided to attend the second and see the movie -- "Storm Surfers." One of the surfers was close to 50, while the other was 45. They had been surfing together since their 20s. With the help of a meteorologist and a couple of others, they would see big waves close to Australia and get towed into them. They would carry cameras. It was a fabulous movie! However, I don't EVER want to surf waves that big. Here's the promo clip from YouTube. (Not sure how long the link will stay live. hmmm...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW_eIeKyjSo

After seeing a movie like that, I knew I had to surf this weekend. Friday was flat, but I kept my fingers

I finished surfing just as
a storm arrived

crossed that there would be waves on Sunday. So, first thing Sunday, I visited several of the usual websites and noticed that while the "seas" seemed choppy and the current looked strong, there were surfable waves.  I loaded up Roxanne and headed to the 43rd Street jetty. When I arrived, I saw a few surfers already out, but none that I knew. Once I paddled out on the west side of the jetty though, I noticed that the other gal out was actually someone I know. She is one of the local surf instructors and a great surfer. She and the others who were out on Sunday were probably 25 years younger (or more) than me. But they are always very nice to me and offer advice when I need it. I had a fabulous few rides, and even managed to turn and catch adjoining waves. I practiced shifting my weight on the board and looking to the side. I practiced my paddling and had a ball. Clouds and rain in the distance made the temps more than tolerable. All in all, I had a wonderful time surfing. I'm hoping for a some evening surf one night this week.