Typically opt out of coastal 4ths and avoid the madness 4+hrs east for a mix of off the grid camping in the mtns and a little bit of merica celebration, but gas is expensive, the mosquitos are bad from a late winter cold wet spring, and it was/is hot. Buddy and fam were keen on camping at beach and lined up a campsite in Brohapmton, so I figured I'd make some memories for the kids and join. They have grown up so quick I feel like time is fleeting and they will be gone beofre I know it. Forecast looked OK, not flat at least, and easy spot to trench in and stay put. Had no interest in driving up and down or to and from coast on the 4th. Last year we all had Covid and felt like we needed to do something this year, although I would of been fine at home with maybe an early strike on river.
Surf was meh.... some 8 second wind swell with a little size, but NW wind was nuke for the most part and sand bars are garbage as clearly seen from cam. No more surprises at SOCAM, as it's pretty much in view 24/7 now. Nor any surprises at the TA or BS, but wind was a factor down there. Passed on the 3rd, but wind was a little lighter on 4th in the am and had one maintenance sesh once the tide filled in a bit. Handful corners to be had on the mid, med crowd, freezing water temp. Got one or two turns, but that was it. Also felt like I surfed like shiit or maybe it was just the waves? Highlight was early am sesh exploring the Cape during the 2' minus low in my suit wadding and swimming around. I think the kids are finally embarrassed of their weird Dad and did not suit and boot and join me in my immersive exploration as they have in the past
Beach lit up with illegal fireworks as expected and was quite the show scene. Woke up and did July 5th beach clean up and was not to bad TBH, but people got started before us. Wind was up and fog was at the water line. Walked and cleaned to the TA and back peering out Chambers along the way and just no structure I could see Fog peeled back midday and could of had another maintenance sesh, but passed. Hit the river and scored one of my favorite swimming holes 6-8 glassy empty and trunkable Made it back to Gotham early evening and got blasted by the heat, but we beat most of it and hopefully made some memories along the way.