Wishing for Warmth and Waves

Alas! Once again, whenever I'm off, it's flat. And, when I'm working, the waves return. Lately, I haven't event been able to get off to make a quick trip to G-town for surf. I've also been fighting a cold for the past week-and-a-half. Gosh....sounds like all I can do is complain. I certainly don't mean to sound like a whiner. It just happens sometimes; especially if I haven't been able to surf. I think it was mid-November the last time I made it out. I know there were some waves this past weekend. The "dude," Brian, told me that he made it out on Saturday.  I was JEALOUS! Since my cold had made breathing optional for me and because I had a ton of things to do before I went to a holiday party that night, I decided it wouldn't be smart for me to go to surfing. I lusted after the waves by checking the Internet, in particular Gtownsurf.com, all day. Numerous surfers were out. Dude B. stayed away from 43rd because of the crowds (yes, everyone with a surfboard was out). He enjoyed 36th for a few hours.  By Sunday when the next front moved through, it was flat.

It's booty time again!
I'm ready for warm weather

This morning I noticed that not only was it flat, that the north wind had pushed the tide way out. It was pushed three-fourths of the way down the jetty. But, the surf report indicated that the wind would shift back to the south and, by Friday, we should see knee- to waist-high waves. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm also getting my 5-4 wetsuit ready. The water temp is in the low 50s, which definitely means it's time to step up in thickness for the wetsuit. During the past couple of years, I haven't needed my 5-4 until January, but looks like this year will be a different story. Bah humbug. I should probably just be happy that I have the option. Instead, I dread having to pull that on that heavy duty suit. I also dread having to dig out the booties...and the wool cap...and the gloves. But I know I will if I must.

I'm anxious to go someplace warm. I think I write that during every winter post. Just not sure when and where I will go. I'm pretty sure I will select Central America, I'm just not sure what country or beach I will explore. I have my passport ready, so all I will need a cheap airline ticket, a couple of bathing suits and some vacation time. I'm leaning toward Nicaragua, but I haven't ruled out Costa Rica. I just want the temps to be in the 80s and the water to be refreshing. I don't want to HAVE to wear a wetsuit, and I certainly don't want to need gloves or a stocking cap. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Fall Blahs and Holidays

Waves!!! Galveston, Texas needs waves! I haven't been able to surf the past two weekends because it has been so flat. It's also been cold, which means that missing the surf hasn't been so tragic. (In fact, water temps this week were hovering around 55 degrees, which means I might have to pull out my 5-4 wetsuit sooner than I have the past few years.) I'm desperately trying to find a way for me to get someplace warm during the next couple of months, but it's not looking good. Either I can't find an inexpensive ticket or I can't find a place with vacancies. I'm leaning toward finding a hotel somewhere in Nicaragua, but am still very unsure about it all. Sometimes I get nervous about the safety of traveling to such places, especially since my travel/surfing partner in crime has moved away. I'm on my own when in comes to picking the places I travel, and I'm on my own with the planning. On top of the travel planning woes, I'm also having to make sure if I go somewhere, that it is a place with safe paths for me to run. I'm training for a marathon in January, which means that I have to get in running time wherever I decide to go.

The good thing about training for a marathon is that it increases my stamina, which in turn, helps me with paddling in the waves. Of course, stamina has never been a problem for me since I also cycle quite a bit. So, maybe the running isn't doing much for my surfing after all. It has to be helping somehow though, doesn't it? I sure hope so. I have realized that there is at least one major similarity between surfing and running. They are both sports that are done alone. Even if I run with others, eventually, it all comes down to my ability and mental endurance. The same goes for surfing. Even though I might paddle out with others, finding the right waves and catching it is up to the individual surfer. The last time I went out, dozens of others were out, but I was still very much alone in the water when I spotted my wave and attempted to catch it.

Holidays always get me into a funk. I'm not sure why since I generally enjoy getting together with others. Because of this funky feeling, though, I'm having a little trouble getting into a joyful frame of mind. Maybe it will come once I start decorating my house. Or, maybe once I start getting some shopping done, I'll find my pizazz. Or, maybe I just need to surf away my holiday woes. To do that, I need WAVES!

Wetsuit Weather

Last Friday, I noticed on the surfing web page that I watch for the wave reports, that the water temp was in the low 60s. The air tenp was warm with highs in the high 70s and the low 80s, yet I kept thinking that the low 60s sounded cold for the water temps. I packed my 3-2 full wetsuit and my mid-length-sleeved springsuit so that I would have both just in case. Since my usual Galveston contact was in Costa Rica surfing, I called one of the local surf shops to ask about the surf. The guy who answered the phone said that as long as I had a longboard, I would have waves to surf. When I drove up to 43rd, I noticed no one else was out.  However, I saw a few waves coming in and quickly put on the suit and went out on the east side of the jetty. I paddled for waves, but I just didn't have the timing or the power to catch any. I opted to go to the west side. I caught a couple, but still struggled some. I had fun, though. I'm glad I went out, but I hadn't surfed solo in a very long time.

Sunday brought decent
waves to the 43rd Street jetty 

By Sunday, the waves were a little stronger and better formed. I made my way down to 43rd about 11 a.m., and noticed I wouldn't be alone this time. Tons of surfers were out. I paddled out in the rip current and took my place in the line-up. I paddled for my first wave and caught it. Had a great ride, paddled back out and then missed a few waves. Not all the waves had enough power, but because I'm not skilled enough to know the difference, I paddled for many that just weren't forceful enough to lift me up. I wasn't disappointed though. I caught several and had a ball. Some of the waves I caught took me on quick, fun rides. I loved it. When those rides take place, I remember why I enjoy surfing so much. It is an incredible feeling...one that I hope to continue having for the rest of my life. What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon! I know I still have so much to learn when it comes to surfing, but I like that every time I manage to catch a ride, I feel like a pro. It's a fabulous feeling.

I'm hoping to go somewhere warm in December. I'm currently pricing trips to several Central American  and Mexican surfing destinations. Hmmm...where should I go?