Just ask Zoltar

Zoltar, do I need
another board?

Last week, I wrote that I needed signs; some little something to help me make the right decision. And, I do. This week, I decided to research boards. I know I don't really need a new board. I already own four of them, although I'm ready to sell at least one of them. However, I've decided to focus on my 9' board. I mentioned before that one of the Chica Brava instructors recommended that I pick one size board and stick with it. I opted for my first board, which is the 9' Softop. After my surf session last week, the surf dude told me that I had outgrown my board with my skill level. Was this a sign that I needed a new board? He felt like the Softop was holding me back. I'm not sure that's really true. I don't feel like I've outgrown it. I still have so much to learn. I thought I turned it rather easily last week. But, nevertheless, I went window shopping for a 9' epoxy/fiberglass board. I found a couple of them at the Soundwaves on Bay Area. They were ranging in price from $700 to $800. However, they did have a nice McTavish that was 9'1" and cost only $499, which is definitely not a bad price. I wish it was only 9'. I even made a trip into Houston to the Montrose Soundwaves to check out their boards. I was impressed with their inventory. They had several 9' Robert August boards that looked fantastic, but again, they were all over $800. I thought I could possibly find one online cheaper, and earlier in the week, did some research on craigslist, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for there either. Today, after surfing, I even went to Surf Specialties and found out that the owner had a used 9'1" Senator board for sale for $575. It sure was a nice board. But again, I really think I just want a 9'. Hmmm...for now, though, I'll probably just keep looking. Unless, I get a "sign" suggesting that I found the right board.

Waves were too messy on Friday for me to go down and surf. It looked like a mess on the webcam. Strong winds created choppy waves and a strong current. I had heard that surfers and swimmers were being swept down the beach with the current. While early forecasts predicted that the wind would lighten up by Sunday, it didn't. Today was just as windy as Friday. However, it had shifted slightly and the winds were more out of the south. And, although someone told me that would make the waves a little better, I didn't really see it. When I made my way into the water, I immediately realized that this day surfing wouldn't be easy. The only way to make it to the outside was taking the rip because of the current. And even that took some heavy duty paddling. I managed to make it out several times. However, I also managed to either get pushed back in by the current or to get pummeled by waves and washed back in several times. On occasion, though, I caught a wave. They required fast pop ups. In fact, I missed one all together simply because I was too slow getting up. Because the waves were so strong, it pushed me in before I even had time to realize I had missed it. I had three or four good rides, but one in particular made the whole day worthwhile. I seemed to be flying. I wished I had practiced my turns/movements more, but I really can't complain. I turned it a little, and I was moving fast. Some of the others out in the water were really good with the choppy waves. But even they missed a few. I even had the pleasure of watching and taking photos of a young couple who was taking their second lesson from surf Dude B. They were refreshing to watch, and seemed like genuinely good and kind 20-somethings, which is always nice to see. Hope they come back. Surfing is a blast!

Caution...Drop Off

It's always good when there's a sign! Whether it's a flag (green for calm conditions; yellow for normal; red for rough conditions; blue for excessive jellyfish, etc.) that says when the waves are rough, a sign that indicates exactly what jetty is nearby or a caution sign on the seawall that warns that the edge of the wall is near, signs often let all of us know how to make decisions about what we are going to do. I think I've written about signs before...in fact, maybe I've even written about the sign I'm attaching to this post. I don't remember. I searched and didn't see it, but that doesn't mean that I haven't overlooked it. Life can get so complicated sometimes. I want to be more carefree, but it just seems that I often over-think things. I need to learn to turn my brains/thoughts off on occasion. If I did that, then, possibly, I could just relax and trust my instincts, instead of making sure I always do the "right" thing. Doing the "right" thing, may not always be the "best" action. Hmmmm...still thinking this all through. Not thinking might even make me a better surfer.

An important Seawall sign

Initial first-hand Friday surf reports didn't sound good. However, a Tweet (yes, a surf report I follow on Twitter), and an Internet post indicated that things weren't so bad. And, when I looked at the webcam, I agreed. I knew it was windy, but I also knew I really wanted to surf. So, despite the initial reports, I headed down right after I finished work. I took my 9' Softop, continuing my goal and the suggestions of several surfers to stick with one size until I master the sport of surfing. I was worried about the "reported" wind; although, the wind definitely was not a problem on the mainland. Oddly enough, when I made it to Galveston, the wind had died significantly there also. The waves were small and a little choppy, but definitely surf-able. In fact, quite a few surfers were out -- more than usual on a Friday afternoon. Approximately eight or nine were on the west side of the jetty and only one or two were on the east side. Neither side looked better for waves than the other from the Seawall. I made the decision that I was going to surf the east side, and when my surfing buddy made it there, he agreed. All in all, I'm so glad I went to surf. I had read the surf reports and because of an approaching cold front, I knew the waves would be gone by midnight for a couple of days, including Sunday...my other regular surf day. I had some great rides Friday and even managed to turn BOTH directions to ride the wave. I had some wipeouts too, especially twice when I got caught on the inside of the wave and couldn't save it. I had one ride of which I'm particularly proud. I caught a wave as did a guy on the left of me. I was on the wave first, and he came my direction down the wave. I refused to get off. He got nervous and bailed, which caused his long board to knock my board. However, I didn't get nervous or lose my balance. I maneuvered my way around it. I felt like I had won "King of the Wave." Not sure it was technically my wave. My gut says it was, but, then again, the waves don't really offer any signs saying who owns it. I definitely could use more signs.

Quick weekends, even quicker waves

Sunday (4/15) didn't look much different than Friday (4/13)

Watching the weather during the local news broadcast has become even more important to me since I've started surfing. I've watched the weekend forecasts since I started cycling about 20 years ago, making sure that the Saturday morning "atmosphere" was the right one for a good 60-mile bike ride. When I started surfing approximately three years ago though, one of the first things I attempted to learn was what kind of weather would be the right weather to create waves for surfing not just for the weekend, but for any day/afternoon. In Galveston (like most places), waves are very dependent on the wind. If Galveston has a strong south, east-southeast wind, we will have waves. If the wind is out of the north at just the right speed, we will get perfect waves in nice sets. Usually, a north wind blows through too strong and flattens the waves, but sometimes, the wind is perfect. This week, the forecasts on Surfline, network weather, etc., say that the really nice waves might be on Tuesday (4/17) morning. I'm not completely sure it will play out as predicted, because some of the wave prediction sites are changing the winds back to strong east winds. We'll just have to wait and see. All the forecasts for this past weekend, though, were right. Strong winds caused some bigger waves, but forecasters cautioned surfers that the really strong currents would make getting out to the waves (or even staying the whitewater) tough. Since Friday is my day to go surfing, despite some forecast warnings, I loaded my 9' Softop and headed to G-town. I was originally going to take my 8'1" because I didn't want to have to struggle with the wind loading and unloading my board as well as carrying it down to the beach. However, I also didn't want to have to worry about the gusts picking up the board while I was out in the waves and either pushing me off, or, while I'm in the water, the wind picking it up and causing the board to hit me in the face. So, at surf dude's suggestion, I brought my 9'. It was the right choice.

Because of the G-townsurf.com report about the waves, the 43rd Street jetty had six surfers already fighting over the waves when I got there at 3 p.m. So, I went to the 39th Street jetty. Dude B. had recommended it, and I think he was right. The really big waves were on the outside. In fact, one wave-caster suggested that only expert surfers should go out in the waves. I'm not an expert by no means, but I felt comfortable on the outside. The waves made getting out -- even in the rip current -- challenging, but once on the outside, waves definitely offered surfing opportunities. I caught a couple from the outside (and wiped out a few times), but I also chose to practice my turning and board positioning by catching waves in the whitewater. I successfully turned the board multiple times. I still have a lot of work to do though. I need to turn myself on the board much quicker to be able to ride down the line. I've made a lot of progress, but I still have quite a bit of work to do. I need more consistent waves on a regular basis to help me practice. (Today was too rough, so, unfortunately, I was only able to surf one day this week.) Not much I can do about this, but wish...for bigger waves...for more chances to surf.

I love G-town!