Wishing for Waves

Almost three weeks have passed since I've had the opportunity to surf. It's not because I didn't want to or didn't have time to, but rather because it's been FLAT! The waves have disappeared. I was watching the forecasts on surfline and the gtownsurf camera all last week and this weekend, but they all pointed to the obvious ... NO WAVES. The Surfline forecast calls for some waves tomorrow, so I've already decided to pack my board, my wetsuit, a bathing suit and some wax in my car tomorrow for an afternoon surf session. I've mentioned before that I'm fortunate enough to get three hours a week of fitness release time to work out. So, I might take at least a couple of those hours tomorrow. I considered going down in the morning, but I think it might be better in the afternoon. But, weather forecasters are also calling for a 40 percent chance for rain. I'm hoping that the 60 percent chance of "NO RAIN" wins out. Because the days are getting longer, at least I 'll be able to get in a couple of hours of surfing if I can leave by 3 or 3:30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Received my latest issue of WSSM

I received my latest issue of WSSM or Women's Surf Style Magazine this week. I was pleasantly surprised to find that one of my first surf instructors was featured. Melissa's story focused on a project that she created with another gal that included giving journals with inspirational photos and poems to underprivileged girls/women. I was thrilled to see her in there. I flipped through some of the other pages and was surprised to find a story about an artist living in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, whose work is on the walls of the hotel I stayed in when I was there. In fact, I had taken a picture of the art. It was fun to know that I was familiar with two of the stories in the magazine. Once before, one of my surf instructors was featured, but I never expected that it would happen again. And, although I don't really know the artist, I thought it was fabulous that I was familiar with her work and, in fact, even recognized her work before I saw who and where she was. I'm envious of all the women featured in the magazine because they are all getting to surf, while I'm wishing for waves.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for surf time this week!

A New Board Always Means No Waves

Heavy sigh! I should have known that when I bought a new board the waves would disappear. And that is exactly what has happened. I realize that I got to surf on Roxanne last week, but the waves were awful and surfing was very difficult. I was hoping that this weekend would at least give me a few clean waves to play on with Roxanne, but that wish was definitely not fulfilled. So, I've been stuck just staring blankly at her when I walk through the dining room!

This week was a short work week with the 4th of July falling right smack dab in the middle of the week. The holiday plus two vacation days gave me a five-day weekend. I had plans to drive to San Antonio to watch my nephew graduate from U.S. Air Force basic training on the 4th.  At first, I thought I might get to surf early on the 4th before I left, but, alas, there were no waves. I thought for sure that there would be waves Thursday and Friday since I wouldn't be here to enjoy them, but even that didn't happen. High pressure has been sitting over the central part of the U.S. keeping the winds down and thereby keeping the waves away. (I'm not completely sure I have this whole weather thing completely understood, but I am pretty sure that the flatness is caused by the high pressure.) The graduation was an incredible experience, and my nephew not only lost 23 lbs., but he also became a young man during the eight weeks of boot camp. I can't get over the transformation. And, I'm so glad I was able to attend even if it meant I wouldn't be near home if waves should form.

Saturday was a busy day that included running, cycling and two open houses/parties. I thought I might squeeze in some surfing as surfer dude B. said he thought the wind was returning, which meant so were the waves. However, he was wrong. Saturday seas remained calm as did Sunday's. In fact, for the first time in a long time, B. even had to cancel surf lessons. He doesn't have to do that very often during the summer months. Usually, he has at least small ripples/waves for lessons. He said he did not even have that this weekend.  I've looked at the Surfline and Swell Info forecasts for the week and both sites are forecasting flat seas. I sure hope that changes so that I can take out my new board soon.

On another note, I received my first issue of WSSM ("Womens Surf Style Magazine") http://www.womenssurfstyle.com/index.html. I subscribed to the magazine after my trip to Nica this year. One of the young surf instructors at the camp told me about it and showed me a copy. She was asked to write a personal profile for it. I subscribed so that I could see her wonderful story in print. I'm so glad I did. They didn't send me "her issue" yet. I received the winter/spring 2012 issue, but I'm sure the summer/fall issue will be out soon. I love the magazine. It offers short features about women around the world who surf. Many of them have ended up in Central America, and reading about their adventures is fun. Of course, right now, not only am I envious of their surfing abilities, I'm lusting after their waves.

Come  back waves, come back!