More Fun

Proof that the 3.5 hours in the truck was worth it!

Nice Beach

I'll let this one speak for itself.

First Sun Rise (that we could see) of 2011

We have a small tradition - we wake up early on New Year's Day and go some place where we can see the Sun rise and take some pictures.

10 years ago, I was under a blanket with La and we woke up on the beach on the windward side of Oahu to welcome in 2001. There were bugs flying around our ears and Ironwood roots poking up out of the sand, but damn if we were going to miss the millennium turning.

10 years later and we are still at it!

I love you La!!!!

And now we have two kiddomaboos to make our own party to boot!!!

Happy New Year all!

Hennessey/Hobie Paddleboard Race

Yesterday (Saturday) - went down to Dana Point (Doheny Beach State Park) to paddle in the Hobie Race.

I paddled the 6 miler - not sure where I came in (probably better than half - I never said I was fast) - and had tons of fun!

I had a lot of time to think while paddling and got to put the conditions up against the boards and builds of the paddlers and figured some things out.

1. I've always heard that for downwinders, you want a light board. Well I believe it now. My board is not light - 2 pound EPS with a really great epoxy glass job (very durable). Lighter people were flying downwind on the leg out (downwind). If the race you are paddling in is a downwinder, use a hollow board or a full carbon, lightly (just enough) glassed board.

2. For pushing a board upwind or crosswind, a board with heft will cut through the chop/swell much better than a hollow/lightly glassed board. I passed everyone that got ahead of me during the outbound leg - smarter paddling (not veering too far off the mark lines, paddling in cadence with the swell (not fighting it) and keeping a slimmer profile into the wind) helps too, but a board not chattering with every piece of swell/chop that hits it saves your momentum and keeps you from getting beat up (anymore than you already are).

3. When paddling anywhere near shore in Southern California, use a weed friendly fin. If you do not, you will not go fast (dragging seaweed does not make you fast).

4. Unlimited boards go fast.

5. I'd like to go fast.

Fun race!

Mondos

Went back to Mondos again today - liked it so much yesterday, I had to come back today and I brought the family!

Well - our normal beach day activities had to be altered a little bit - we normally dig some pretty deep holes, but there are worms everywhere. We've also flown kites before, but this beach had lots of people today so we had limited flying space. The water is starting to warm up, but the wind put a spin on the paddling for La (kept her from standing up the whole session). In short - awesome small wave spot - but not what we're used to.

Despite the comparisons not working in our favor, another great day at the beach!!!

Oh - got new tires today (as well as new belts for the engine - no more squealing when turning over the engine; and a new air filter). A couple of paydays from now and the Pathfinder (Surffinder) will have a new fuel filter, new automatic transmission fluid and new power steering fluids as well as an oil change. Since we're not going to Okinawa anymore (headed for Gulfport, Mississippi now), I'm keeping the SUV for another few years. Gotta take care of it since it will have Humungocumulus (the name of our boat that we are still working on getting/deciding on - cat or tri....) hauling duties.

I'll post Pathfinder pics tomorrow.

Aloha!

Succulents

This plant is ubiquitous here in Southern California.

The DOT plants it all along the freeway system.

It grows all along the shoreline.

Developers plant it in neighborhoods.

This group was at the Oxnard Beach Park. The TEAM had it's annual Easter Party for the kids of the families at UCT TWO. We had a pretty good turnout and great weather. The flowers these plants put out have always mesmorized me - stringy petals and the vibrant purple and yellow contrasted by the green leaves - when you take the time to notice the little things around you, you suddenly realize just how much there is out there and how awesome it all is.

And I went SUPing - forgot the GoPro so no evidence. I brought the Naish 11'6" thinking La and maybe some others would give it a go, but alas it was me taking on the sea alone. At first it was ugly - it had been a while since I had this board out in sizable waves (Saturday was shoulder to head high - swell from the West). But by the time I was ready to call it quits for the day, I was paddling the board out through the breakers (standing up) and zooming into the steep beach breaking walls (and getting a few cutbacks with this ginormous board). The waves would have been easier to ride on the 9'6" Walden - but they were challenging and fun on the 11'6".

To be a good surfer - to me anyways - means you need to be able to adapt to changing conditions and equipment. I am a GOOD surfer!!!

Aloha!

California afternoon

The kids running around Port Hueneme Beach on a super low tide day. Small surf and cooler water these days.