Birthdays, Slop and More

Since I hadn't surfed in approximately two weeks, I was determined to get out this past weekend.

Waves were rough last weekend!

Dude sent me a text message early in the day on Friday (10/18), that the waves were crummy. I still needed to go to the island, though, to wish him a happy birthday because I had missed seeing him on the actual day. So, I suggested lunch. I met him for a nice lunch at a beach-side restaurant. Had a ball, but when it was over, I thought it would be a shame to be in Galveston on a Friday afternoon and not surf. I had my board and, although they were quite rough, there were waves. Dude was pleasantly surprised by my gifts and the lunch, but he made it clear from the start that he had no intention on surfing. He had too much to do.

I drove down the beach to 43rd, but the only place I could find other surfers was the west side of the 37th Street jetty. Three surfers were out. Since the summer season is over, the lifeguards are gone, and I don't feel safe surfing alone. I wanted others around, which is how I ended up at 37th. I put on my long-sleeved 2m rashguard -- a true sign that fall is here -- and paddled out. I had seen two of the surfers out catching waves and hopping from one to another, and I couldn't wait to give it a try. I took the rip current out and waited. I saw one coming my way, popped up, took a short ride, but got pushed off the board from a secondary wave pushing stronger than the first. That's pretty much how it happened for me the rest of the afternoon. I could never get the hang of hopping from wave to wave, or as the surfers refer to it, "Connecting the Dots." I guess I'll have to try again soon.

It's only October and I can't wait for spring to return!