by Howly Wolf » Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:02 pm
Currently recovering from a 5 day saltwater bender. Stars aligned for decent runs of swell ranging 5'-7' for majority of the trip albeit muddled at times by howling winds from out the S or N. No shortage of surfables though-- lucked into some HH/slightly OH milk glass rollers, as well as settled for punchy criss crossed wedgies. Went searching for ghost ships in socked-in beach pre-dawn and soaked up sun-crisped afternoon deep water sessions under observation from tourists and surf cams alike. Stoke and floggings were doled out in equal number for a good balance of contentment and humility. Wrapped it up dawn patrolling 3' closeouts on Duke's birthday, a bit fatigued and perhaps crankier than the occasion called for. Mind/body/spirit was just maxed out...
Worth mentioning that I hit one particularly gothic spot that I consider relatively low key and, well, that no longer seems to be the case... I'm talking out of state plates, summer surf lifestyle crews, and inflatable SUPs. Never seen it like that and don't know whether to attribute it to Covid restrictions, FB chatterboxes, or just the inevitable course of things as surfing grows in popularity. At one point, I witnessed a hipster admonish his sponger girlfriend for having the audacity to speak to him while he as videotaping the break for his insta-stories; when he was done she tried to rally him to paddle out with her, but he came up with a litany of excuses not to ("what if you lose a fin"? lol) before they both drove off in his dumb prius. Take this as a warning, ladies and gentlemen-- this is what we're up against.
Anyhow, some autumn pangs in the air the past few mornings and, as illustrated by the previous anecdote, not a moment too soon. I for one am ready and willing to freeze for some waves.
howl can be?