Really Small Waves and Some SUP Time

I have been wanting to surf. But, like always, when I am off, there are no waves. I know I have said/wrote it before: The best waves are always Wednesday mornings at 8 or 9 a.m., just as I am about to go to a meeting or right after I finish one. Therefore, I miss the good waves. Of course, no matter what day or time it is, I think many people think they miss the "good waves." I was determined last week to go to surf on Friday afternoon, which is my usual time for surfing. The forecast didn't look great, but by Friday morning, I could see a few little ripples out there. On the webcam Friday morning, it looked as thought a few people were out at 45th. I kept my fingers crossed that it would stay that way until I got off work on Friday afternoon. I originally had planned to got to Surfside, but with the waves being "iffy" at best, I decided Galveston was my best option. Made it to 43rd around 2:30 p.m. and worried that I had almost missed them all. However, I paddled out and noticed there were a few little peelers just for me. I got caught on the inside once, causing me to flip under the water and lose my sunglasses even though they were on a string around my neck. I am always caught off-guard when these things happen. Never even saw this happen. I caught a few little waves and had lots of fun. The beach was quite full because of summer vacations, but I was still able to get out past the crowds in the water. One young lady was out (Autumn) and she was making the waves look pretty and easy. I was in awe of her abilities. A couple of young boys were also out and, of course, they told me how the waves had been bigger in the morning. I chuckled. The only other eventful thing that happened was when the key I wear around my neck became detached from the ribbon it was on and, in slow motion, fell first to the top of the board just as a wave was coming in. Of course, I never saw it again. But, after a $115 visit from a locksmith, I was able to get back in my car. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon.

By Sunday, it was even smaller than Friday. I loaded up my SUP and met a friend at 43rd for a quick morning session. We had a ball. I hadn't been out on my SUP in awhile, and I still have a lot of learning to do, but I still had fun. I fell off the board twice -- once when I was was wading through the white wash to get out past the break, and another time when my board was knocked awry by the beginning of a wave. If the waves had been a little bigger and stronger, I would have definitely been surfing, but the waves weren't really breaking until they got closer to shore. I started to question my decision of buying such a short SUP, but at the same time, I realize that if the board was bigger, I would definitely have trouble loading and unloading. I think my friend had fun too. As the summer flat spell hangs on as it usually does in July, I'm so glad I can least go out and SUP.

Questions

Where are the waves when I can surf? Why are the best waves early in the morning on days that I have to work? How can I become a better surfer if I don't get out into the waves at least once a week? Where should I go on my next surf trip? Should I stick with my 9' or should I experiment with different sized boards? Do I need another board?

Questions: I have so many questions about so many things. I would certainly like to surf more, but I don't want to give up anything else I do. I love to run and cycle, but I know the only way for me to get better at surfing is to do it more often. I usually get to surf twice a week, but this summer, it seems, has been different. No waves means no surfing. While I got to surf last week twice, this weekend has been a dud. I was hoping to surf tonight, a Tuesday night surprise, and although it looked good early today, it was a bust. A simple phone call resulted in the bad news: IT WAS FLAT! I opted to bicycle when my surfing session fell through. But, I sure wanted to surf.

Although Wednesdays are my run days followed by dinner with friends, Thursdays are wide open and I'm hoping some waves appear. And, I hope they hang on for Friday afternoon and return on Sunday morning. I want some surfing time to strengthen my skills and clear my mind. And, maybe I'll even find a few answers.

Inching Closer to Summer

I'm definitely ready for summer. However, I have to admit FINALLY, after four short years, that the waves are better in the winter just as a cold front moves through and the north wind blows a little. Of

It was fun to see Disney
characters standing
on the side of Broadway in
Galveston assisting with
a grand opening.

course, it requires also being in the right place at the right time. I think I've written about it before, but it's worth repeating. Last week, the cold front came through during the middle of the week...as usual. I'm always at work when the fronts move through. I sometimes read about it on g-townsurf.com, and then I see the photos and realize I've missed the best waves of the week, month, year... I'm sure I haven't really, but it sure feels like it. Lately, we've had a little bit of a warm spell, which is supposed to change this weekend when really cold weather returns. Despite the warm air temps, the water temps are still hovering in the 60s, which is still quite cool. Although some surfers/swimmers are able to paddle out without wetsuits, I'm still wearing a 3-2 and glad to be doing so.

Friday is one of my usual days to surf. However, this past Friday, I had such a crazy, busy schedule that I knew I probably wouldn't have time to surf. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your perspective, there were no waves. I had a full schedule for Saturday with my marathon training, bike riding and MOVING, so I knew I wouldn't make it down to Galveston. Sunday wasn't much better. It's too bad about Sunday. The waves were nice early on Sunday, but I had too many things to do to make it to Galveston early. I had plans to go down a little later, but I wasn't sure I would be able to surf. In fact, I was pretty certain that I just wouldn't have enough time to squeeze in any surf time. While driving down the seawall later, I saw many people out. The waves by that time were rough, but at least the waves provided some surf for all the surfers. Most of them had wetsuits, but a few just had rash guards and bathing suits. The air temps were warm on Sunday and that has carried through the first few days of the week; however, by Friday, it's forecasted to be cold again. Brrrrrr....It probably won't keep me from surfing, but I sure wish it would be warmer. Well, in just six short weeks, I'll probably be wishing for April again. We'll see.