La Goes Surfing on Her Own

Yup La went surfing without me - but with a friend from sailing.

She used the SUP.  Pinch me - I'm still contemplating what just happened...

Teaching the Kids How to Windsurf

We had a free afternoon yesterday so we headed out for windsurfing lessons again (second time).  I had dug out the smallest sail I have - a 4.0 m2 Simmer Style X-Flex and rigged that up (mainly for Noe).

The wind was light (yes I did bring the hypernut and the Go Foil - but I figured it would best to focus on the kids), so we were able to focus on rigging, uphauling, and steering.  Marlon went out first -

Having a SUP out at the same time is handy for coaching and for switching out after we've drifted too far downwind.

Noe was next - since she is still light enough, I was able to stay onboard and walk her through the discussion points, instead of just talking about it.  Probably helps I've lost a few pounds ;)

We went back in I could get on the SUP and she could sail on her own.  Same drill after - swap boards - kid paddles in and I sail back upwind.  When we got back in, I had the kids practice uphauling and "drawing the sail across their body" to get into sailing position.  I probably should have started out doing that (and will do so next time).

So with the south swells pretty much done for this year, this (and foiling) has proven a great way to stay on the water.  Oh, and this truck... I can't say enough great things about this - seriously, three boards, a hydrofoil, a paddle and dry clothes for everyone - perfection!

A big MAHALO to La for taking pictures and being patient ;)

Sunday Dawn Patrol - September 9, 2018

We went on the dawn patrol again yesterday.  It is still down right hot and humid, but you can sense fall conditions are starting to come around.  The sun is moving southward and first light is coming just a little later every morning.  I mention all this because the water was a little less warm jumping in.  I took the Starboard Element SUP out and Marlon took the longboard.  No wind so the faces were really glassy.  The swell seemed about the same as Saturday, but bigger on the sets.

The GoPro had the field of view on narrow so these pictures suck - but filler they are no matter how bad they suck.  Lesson learned - verify your settings are good to go before paddling out.

Happy 2018!!!

Marlon and I took in the first sunrise of 2018 at our surf spot!

I took out the Starboard Element and Marlon got permission to take out La's Patagonia Noseglider.

The waves were small but fun - 

Marlon said this board was really fun!  Looking forward to another year of good surf, a full life of giving back to the community, learning more, and staying healthy!!!  Happy New Year!

Sunday Morning Surf at White Plains Beach

The family hit the beach yesterday to wet our gills (it's been a while). Waist high, not to windy and lots of space for everyone to catch their stoke. Marlon was out with the board Charlie gave him, and Amy was out also with her new GoPro 5 (nice kit). Marlon is getting good at paddling a lower volume board - I bet soon I'll be breaking out the planer again to carve out some ripping shortboards!

Broke the Fast

This past Saturday morning I finally went out surfing after a few weeks hiatus. There was a NW wrap mixed in with an early season S - but the tide was pretty full so the surf was not perfect. It was still fun to get out and catch a few!

Thursday Dawn Patrol SUP

We had an air conditioning technician stop by to help me resolve an issue - so since I was going in to work late, I went ahead and got up way early and dawn patrolled. The tide was a little on the full side, so the waves were a little slow to break, but there were sets with good size (relative) so it was fun!!! I can do this forever!

Solo Sunset SUP Session on Sunday

Long day today - took La and the kids to the sailing clinic, grabbed groceries and a haircut, came home and wash and waxed the 4Runner, edged and mowed the lawn, then went back to pick up the family, tow the boats back to the sail loft and finally ended the errands. There was a little light left so I hustled to the beach to catch a few waves. Marlon was pooped out from sailing the whole day so I ended up going solo. Oh - it was 78 degrees F when I hit the water... not trying to rub it in, just stating a fact. Nice relaxed swell, super low winds, awesome sunset - I've seen the sun go down over this same horizon hundreds of times and it never gets old! Sometimes the pictures from the GoPro are unexplainable - like this one. Such a mellow way to end the day!

Happy 2017!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!! As usual, we met the rising sun as it made it's way into the New Year! Applying our lesson learned from last year, we decided to greet the sun at our beach! And to top it off, Marlon and I went back in the evening to catch a few microwaves and watch the sun set. I know this is a late post - but that's what happens when you are out having fun! Happy New Year!!!!

Dawn Patrol 8-21-2016

Marlon and I hit the dawn patrol on Sunday morning. He went further west than I did so I wasn't able to take any pictures of him. And honestly my belly hanging out in most of the pictures rendered them useless (the pictures, not my belly - which I use to keep me warm on those frigid winter nights). Here are a few regardless: Marlon did say his knee-paddling inspired all those around him to give it a try (little did they know Marlon's thrust to weight ratio is pretty high and that board of his has a ton of float). Fun day on the water - I really need to do this more!