Yippee! I picked up my new board Friday. It was worth the wait! What a beautiful board. James Fulbright did an outstanding job creating my new board. He is definitely an artist when it comes to surfboard construction. The other artists involved, including the waxer and artist that drew my flowers also did an outstanding job. I didn't get to surf on Friday because of the weather, but my mentor Brian insisted I come over to his house to prepare the board for surfing. So, that's what I did. I went to Brian's and heated the base coat wax, then painted it on the board. James Fulbright seemed perplexed when I asked for the base coat wax and explained that I was going to melt it. Apparently hot waxing a board is a thing of the past. I questioned James about it an he said most people just rub the cold weather wax on their board this time of year. However, Brian had other plans, but it might have been for the best. Using a paint brush to swish on hot wax is a lot easier than rubbing that stuff. I was grateful to Brian for showing me how it was done. I didn't surf that first day 'cause it was too cold, and I didn't have my 5-4-3 wetsuit yet. However, this must have been my lucky weekend because it came in the next day. I had my new surfboard on Friday and my new thick wetsuit on Saturday. On Sunday, I was ready to go.
That morning was foggy, but it didn't stop me from loading my new board and my new suit, and heading down to the island. It was a spectacular morning. Riding my new board was like floating on a cloud. The sets were well-spaced, and the rides in were long. Andrea came down with me and, she, too, had a good morning. We both caught waves including one side-by-side wave, which made us look like a Charlie's Angels episode. Not many surfers had come out that morning, which was surprising since the waves seemed pretty good in the morning. We surfed for two-to-three hours. It was eery at first because of the fog. It almost seemed like we echoed. However, once things lightened up, so did the waves. My new 5-4-3 wetsuit kept me fairly warm. The only place I was cold was my hands. However, that wasn't too bad. I could definitely surf with some cold hands. All in all, the morning was fabulous! Not only did I have a new ride, I also had a new outfit to boot.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Another surf-less weekend
Looks like I'm definitely not going to be surfing this weekend. The elements may keep me from it...except for tomorrow (Sunday), when just plain old-fashioned scheduling conflicts keep me from doing it. On the one hand, I'm bummed about it. I hate missing surfing one more time. However, I hate being cold too; and since the latest cold snap, I think the water has probably cooled considerably. My "new" Quiksilver 5-4-3 wetsuit hasn't come in yet. I've been involved in this wetsuit goat rope for the past few months, and I can't get the sizing just right. Hope this one (it's a different brand) will work. Not only have I not been able to surf, but I haven't been able to cycle either. Cold weather and biking, no matter what gear I have on, never work well together. The upper 40s is definitely my cutoff. I've been trying to keep fit aerobically and weight-wise by going to the gym. I went to spin class this morning when I realized it was too cold to go out and and ride. I also went last night. Kelly, the spin instructor, gave us a great workout. She had us truly spinning the whole hour, with lots of fast pedaling and climbing exercises. She claimed we burned over 1,000 calories, but I'm not convinced about that. It would be wonderful, but sounds too good to be true.
During Sunday's rainy weather, I took a quick break between my scheduled events, to run over to Soundwaves to buy my booties. Brian keeps telling me I need them. And, after last weekend, I thought I might too. Shoe shopping has never been one of my favorite past-times. Don't get me wrong, I'm always eager to buy adorable shoes, but the experience of finding the right fit just hasn't ever been fun for me. I have a long, narrow foot that seems to always be between sizes. Buying these booties were no different. The Soundwaves surf salesman, Dan (I know him from Soundwaves and from surfing at the 43rd street pier), showed me the various styles and, thankfully, recommended the cheapest brand, which cost only $49. However, again, I seem to be between sizes. None of the styles fit correctly, so I had to buy the pair that is just a smidgeon small. Hopefully, once they are wet, they will give a little. Brian says they won't, but the other water shoes I have definitely did. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hope to give them a try this coming weekend...quite possibly with my new board!
During Sunday's rainy weather, I took a quick break between my scheduled events, to run over to Soundwaves to buy my booties. Brian keeps telling me I need them. And, after last weekend, I thought I might too. Shoe shopping has never been one of my favorite past-times. Don't get me wrong, I'm always eager to buy adorable shoes, but the experience of finding the right fit just hasn't ever been fun for me. I have a long, narrow foot that seems to always be between sizes. Buying these booties were no different. The Soundwaves surf salesman, Dan (I know him from Soundwaves and from surfing at the 43rd street pier), showed me the various styles and, thankfully, recommended the cheapest brand, which cost only $49. However, again, I seem to be between sizes. None of the styles fit correctly, so I had to buy the pair that is just a smidgeon small. Hopefully, once they are wet, they will give a little. Brian says they won't, but the other water shoes I have definitely did. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hope to give them a try this coming weekend...quite possibly with my new board!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Bike rides and surfing
Another flat Friday and Saturday has kept me out of the waves. Not sure what to think other than I probably need a break anyway. Saturday, though, I was able to get in a 61-mile bike ride. I believe that strengthening my aerobic capacity would surely help me in any endeavor, including surfing. Because my surfing buddy Robin is still out of commission, it will be just my other surfing buddy Andrea and me heading down to catch the waves tomorrow. I noticed on the Web cam that the waves are returning so tomorrow morning should be good...at least better than it has been. Other than arm weights which strengthen my shoulders and my swimming slightly, I'm not sure what exercises I should be doing to make me a better surfer. So, I just continue with my cycling and spinning.
I really think it's mostly about timing. Today (Sunday) I went out. The surf was rough, but the waves were big. Because of the rough surf, getting out was a workout, but once past the end of the pier, swimming was a little easier. I say easier, but I should say slightly easier. The occasional big breaking wave made it hard to maintain composure on the board. But, I was able to get out past the bubbles on the outside. Of course, because of the wind, it was very easy to suddenly find yourself almost to the 43rd street pier. It's not fun being carried all the way down because that means that I have to either swim or walk along shore all the way back to the 45th street pier where I started. Super surfer Brian was giving a lesson, but stopped to point out some things to me and Andrea. Again, it's easy to hear and understand what he is telling us, rather than being in the water and actually doing it. Once we get out there, we know we should be swimming back toward the pier, but we get caught up just looking for a wave to catch. I didn't stay up long, but I was on my 9' board for the first time in a long time so I had to re-acquaint myself with it. I do love my board, but it is short (I know...9'...short, really?) for me. After all, I'm 5'9" and I have to be in perfect trim each time. There's no room for error. I still managed to get three short rides in, before being tossed about. I was working on my standing form and moving my feet around, so it's no wonder I lost my balance. l had one really fast ride along the edge of the wave, which was incredible. No one saw it, because it only lasted a few seconds, but it was still incredible. Can't wait to try it again...hopefully, for a little longer next time.
BOARD UPDATE: I went by Surf Specialties to check on my new board. James and Debbie said it was still at the glassers. He was a little backed up, but assured me it would be coming any day now. There's no rush, but I'm dying to see it. And surf on it!
I really think it's mostly about timing. Today (Sunday) I went out. The surf was rough, but the waves were big. Because of the rough surf, getting out was a workout, but once past the end of the pier, swimming was a little easier. I say easier, but I should say slightly easier. The occasional big breaking wave made it hard to maintain composure on the board. But, I was able to get out past the bubbles on the outside. Of course, because of the wind, it was very easy to suddenly find yourself almost to the 43rd street pier. It's not fun being carried all the way down because that means that I have to either swim or walk along shore all the way back to the 45th street pier where I started. Super surfer Brian was giving a lesson, but stopped to point out some things to me and Andrea. Again, it's easy to hear and understand what he is telling us, rather than being in the water and actually doing it. Once we get out there, we know we should be swimming back toward the pier, but we get caught up just looking for a wave to catch. I didn't stay up long, but I was on my 9' board for the first time in a long time so I had to re-acquaint myself with it. I do love my board, but it is short (I know...9'...short, really?) for me. After all, I'm 5'9" and I have to be in perfect trim each time. There's no room for error. I still managed to get three short rides in, before being tossed about. I was working on my standing form and moving my feet around, so it's no wonder I lost my balance. l had one really fast ride along the edge of the wave, which was incredible. No one saw it, because it only lasted a few seconds, but it was still incredible. Can't wait to try it again...hopefully, for a little longer next time.
BOARD UPDATE: I went by Surf Specialties to check on my new board. James and Debbie said it was still at the glassers. He was a little backed up, but assured me it would be coming any day now. There's no rush, but I'm dying to see it. And surf on it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)