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.

Another Surf Movie

Last week on Facebook, one of the surfing pages I follow posted information about a documentary that would be premiering in the Clear Lake area at the local Cinemark on Thursday. I usually work out on Thursday nights, but I was ready to make an exception so I could see "A Deeper Shade of Blue." Described as "a film about surfing’s deepest roots: in the subconscious; in ancient lore; in the craft of surfboard building; in man’s perpetual quest for a joyful relationship with the natural world," it sounded intriguing, to say the least. After grabbing a bite to eat, I went to the movie theater and could quickly decipher who was there to see the surfing documentary and who was there to see something else. I hate to typecast but many of the surfers were distinguishable; especially the older surfers. You could tell who they were from the rugged, tan, almost leathery skin and the hair that was blonde at the ends. I saw a couple of cool guys I know from G-town, but most of them were unfamiliar older surfers with a few young ones thrown in. I saw a guy I know from work with his son. He's been a surfer for awhile, but he has only recently introduced the sport to his son. I chuckled when we were sitting in the movie theater waiting for the movie to start because everyone seemed to be talking out loud. They were  shouting across the room as people they recognized came in. It was interesting.  

The movie started with interviews, which were entertaining for the first few minutes, but dragged on a little bit too much for me. It was interesting information, but I was ready for the movie to start. All in all,

The movie was called "A Deeper Shade of Blue," which
made me think of this pic I shot while flying over
Costa Rica.

the movie was good and the information about different boards and wave heights was fascinating. I shudder to think how I would react if I saw a wave as a big as some of those in the movie coming toward me as I was lying prone on a surfboard. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't react well. I'd be looking for ways to get out of the wave. Check it out at adeepershadeofblue.com. 

After seeing a movie about surfing, I was dying to get out in the waves. On Friday, the waves were rough and the seawall was full because of the Easter holiday weekend. On-the-spot surf reports from some of my surfing acquaintance indicated it wasn't worth the drive down to the shore. Saturday morning brought some pretty little waves, but by the time I could get there, crowds had gathered again and the wind had made it far too choppy to make it worth my while. (On a side note, I had a family breakfast to attend; I was glad that, at least I got to run 8.1 miles.) Sunday was Easter and my calendar was full. I read on the web that there were a few surf-able waves, but I didn't have time to make it down. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this weekend. I have to work Saturday afternoon, but I should be able to squeeze in a session midday Friday and Sunday mid-morning. I hope I can...I hope I can...I hope I can... I have no ruby red slippers to click together, but maybe I'll squeeze some board wax for luck.  

Crazy Spring Weekends

Allergies have been dragging me down. If I'm not sneezing, I'm coughing. I also have had a sore throat that has made me sound like a blues singer who has spent too much time in a smoky jazz bar. On Friday, I knew I probably wouldn't surf even if there were waves. Before I could even send a note to the surf dude, he sent a text saying that the waves were rough, the air was cold and the crowds were big. He said it wasn't worth a trip to the island, so I was relieved to find out that I wasn't going to be missing much. I was still under the weather on Saturday, which not only stopped me from surfing, but also from running. I did sneak in a little ride, but a short, easy bike ride was about all my lungs could handle. I'm sure hoping that this Friday will bring warmer weather and nice waves.

I noticed on Facebook that my local Cinemark movie theater would be showing a special surf movie premiere one night this week. "A Deeper Shade of Blue" is described as "world-renowned surfing legends as they discuss the evolution, the culture and the impact of surfing from its beginnings to today's billion-dollar-a-year global industry." According to the description, "Panelists include surfing movie star Gidget and legendary surfing sensations James O'Brian, The Marshall Brothers ..." I think I might have to see if a couple of my surfing buddies might want to go see the movie. I'm sure I'll leave the theater anxious to get back in the water. And, I'm also sure that I'll feel envious of their skill level.

An email notice arrived letting me know that Surfing magazine published a special edition that is ready for me to download on my iPad. It was the Hot 100 issue that highlights the up-and-coming surfers. I've not read very much of it, but I didn't notice that only 34% of the Hot 100 were goofy-footers like me. Hmmm... Also, the average age of the Hot 100 females is 17. Oh MY!!! The guys are 19, which isn't much better, but at least they are a little older. Interestingly enough, they offered a graph explaining where the Top 100 were from and the graph showed the three top home areas as Australia, USA and Hawaii. I wonder why Hawaii gets its own spot on the graph instead of being grouped in AS A STATE within the USA. In fact, the two highest percentages on the graph went to the USA and Hawaii...both 30 percent. I'd be curious to know what states they all were from. I would guess most of from California, but I'm hoping when I start to read the articles that at least one might be from Texas. I doubt it, but one can hope.