October 2016 Surf Sessions
10-31-16 AM Session: 3-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 2.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 22
Miles Driven: 26
Rincon Delivered for me yet again. The tide was really high and the swell all broken up from the many different array of swell angles from the NW, WNW, WSW and SE. All of which were short period as well. I wasn’t to jazzed by what I saw, not to mention the fatness of the tide. In fact the only thing the place had going for it was the light crowd. I got on my phone looking for intel on down south. After about thirty minutes of watching and hearing that every place else was not much better I decided to save my gas and paddle. Ryan decided to meet me with his long board as well. As the tide dropped the swell began to even out and line up a bit better, though still very shifty through out the entire point. I did most of my work around the River Mouth. I just couldn’t get into a groove with the good ones finding mostly broken up lines, mush burgers and close outs. Then towards the end of my surf I picked off one from low Indicator all the way to high Cove. As luck would have it immediately following that wave I found my way into a solid set wave in the Cove that ran all the way to the Freeway. If you don’t quit on a run like that then you are just plain greedy.
10-30-16 PM Session: 2-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 2.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 24
Miles Driven: 26
Last night I am sad to say a certain staff member at the Wild Cat, a manager insulted me for the last time and after this Halloween and Gay Prom next Sunday I am announcing my retirement from the Wild Cat. Between the amount of money I spend there annually, the social media promotions, the parties I throw and the amount of people I bring in I more then do my part there. I have been disrespected for the last time. The morning was rainy and tide high. I decided to bide my time and wait for more swell to roll in and the tide to drop. I was hoping for either Rincon or Strand. Upon checking Rincon there were some solid waves coming in up top with only a handful of guys out. I paddled, but the crowd soon followed. Things were rather inconsistent and the peaks super shifty due to the mix of swells in the water. Still I got some fun ones including a good tube, a bit bs air reverse in the River Mouth and my last wave was a screamer through the Cove. Good times. I love Rincon.
10-29-16 PM Session: 3-4+ ft, New Jetty
Time in Water: 1.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 27
Miles Driven: 64
We all got a rather late start after pulling off a “Week end at Bernies” Halloween fun night at the Wild Cat. I heard the morning was plagued by both bad winds and a very fat tide. Biz, Gabe and I headed to Ventura for some deli sandwiches at Danny’s and hopefully some low tide beach break action. New Jetty was the best of the worst with an occasional south left sweeping down the beach. Dane was out killing it and handful of others were fighting the good fight. There was a lot of water moving around and the occasional giant NW jetty to jetty close out. If you were choosy there were some decent lefts to be had. It took me a little to get in my stride, but once I did I managed a few sickies. Found a few beatings too.
10-28-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
I had an early tasting over at the catering company and had hoped to surf in the afternoon. The wind got shitty, the tide drained out and the swell was on the way down. All these entities, plus Friday traffic and a less then inviting post surf report from Ryan had me over it. My back and neck were really sore also making my decision to bag it final.
10-27-16 AM Session: 2-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 1.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 12
Miles Driven: 26
I almost didn’t wake up this morning to surf. I had work around noon and my body was feeling really fatigued after the past few days. The Buoys didn’t look particularly enticing either though were ready a bit more west then yesterday. I am starting to get into a good rhythm and rather then let that fall bay the wayside I decided to drag my lazy ass out of bed. Lucky for me I did cause Rincon though a bit on the fat side with the tide was pretty solid and uncrowded. Stoked I tore on my suit and headed up top. I did all my work between Indicator and River Mouth. It didn’t take long for the crowd to show up. I watched the Line up go from about twenty on the whole point to fifty. Still I managed a few. My last wave I picked off this chick on a soft top. I was coming up from behind going for the pass when she fell sending her board right for me. I did not want to lose this wave cause it was setting up very nicely through the rest of the River Mouth. I brushed into the board with my legs, stood my ground and banged out five solid turns to the high Cove where it close out on me. By far it was my best wave at Rincon yet this year.
10-26-16 AM Session: 2-3 ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 2.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 20
Miles Driven: 56
The swell had really steepened from the previous days. I was still hoping that Rincon would do its thing up top. Although a few rollers overall it was weak and broken up. Given the crowd I was far from enticed to paddle. Judging from the tide and period I really expected Emma to be fun. when I got there it was really weak, windy and terrible. The wind down in Ventura was way harder NW then at Rincon. I decided to just go back to ‘Con and desperation paddle. It was about as weak and bad as it looked out there. I managed a few, but it certainly was a lot of work.
10-25-16 AM Session: 2-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 3.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 27
Miles Driven: 26
The buoys were showing that swell had turned very west making it yet another good chance that Rincon would be fun. It was better then the previous day as far as quality and consistence. Gabe and I Paddled Indicator and though it was not very crowded the number of rude people out made the early session a tad frustrating. I had some lady paddle around me six times in a row. When I finally got deeper then her she tried with all her effort to dump as much water on my head as possible off the drop. Actually the extra crumble gave me something to bank off and set up the rest of my wave. After that I moved to high River Mouth and for about an hour lucked into nothing less then 8 turns on each wave. Then the swell direction and period began to change and things got very lully. At this point I began surfing my way down the point and out. I was hoping that there would be a few in the Cove. When I got in there it was way smaller then I would have liked and the Long boarders that were out were being really aggressive making it nearly impossible for a short boarder especially a goofy like me to get a decent one. I ate up a very frustrating hour in there before bowing out in submission and paddling back up the point to lower River Mouth for a last wave. Still my mid session was enough to keep me stoked.
10-24-16 AM Session: 2-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 3 hrs
Waves Surfed: 28
Miles Driven: 26
Gabe and I had a look at Rincon and it was still rather solid. The crowd was average and lines good thus a paddle was eminent. The Cove was packed with Long Boarders and I was not about to try and mix it up with them. Up top had plenty of sections working and a few would on occasion go all the way through. The south wind was still on it a bit causing a slight bump and crumble. The good ones were really inconsistent and since I didn’t really have a schedule I took my time. I was actually feeling really good out there for a change. I had command over most of the waves I took and even landed a small bs air reverse. The rest of my day was spent at work and running errands with my girl friend.
10-23-16 PM Session: 3-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 1.5 hrs
Waves Surfed: 12
Miles Driven: 26
Last night Gabe, my girl and I hit the Wild Cat pretty hard. I needed it after the nightmarish wedding I had just worked and equally trying work week. It had been a month since the last time Gabe came down so you know we had to do it right. Everyone found there way to Fancytown, some more then others. You know who you are. Needless to say I was not about to do a dawn patrol and almost was ready to bail on surfing altogether and go start clean up from the wedding. Gabe convinced me to give ‘Con a look despite the ugly weather and south winds. Sure enough, the shit conditions and all there were some solid lines coming through the entire point and it was empty. I am talking like thirty guys on the entire place. I focused my energy in the cove and picked off a number leg burners, even call boxed my last wave. Though a bit mushy and bumpy it was more then palatable.
10-22-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
It was wedding day and there fore it meant I had to be on point. I could have actually sneaked in a surf early. Given the lack of swell the only place I was bound to find a wave was all the way down in Ventura Harbor and I was not in the mood for that kind of mission before yet another ten plus hour work day. As far as the weddings went, well lets just say they were not my best work. Over all I think we pulled it off there were a lot of things that could have went better and more smoothly. We live and we learn.
10-21-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
I had quite the long work day ahead of me and came off of a twelve hour day the night before. I knew I needed to get in early to get a jump on the day and since the surf was far from epic I opted to go to the kitchen and kick some ass. Ryan said New Jetty was really fun. Luckily this is my last double wedding weekend of the season. From here on in I should be able to get time for a surf in every day.
10-20-16 AM Session: 2-3+ ft, Emma Wood
Time in Water: 1 hr
Waves Surfed: 16
Miles Driven: 56
It finally got to the point where Rincon was a bit too small, broken up, weak and crowded for me to paddle. I cruised to Emma, which was plenty fun. All of the peaks were working, the waves were clean and though crowded there seemed to be enough waves coming in for everyone. Every pro from Santa Barbara and Ventura was out including Dane Reynolds. Subsequently there was five camera type folks on the beach. The left off the reef to the south peak was about as fun as it gets and that was where I focused my efforts. At the start of my surf I had it to myself. It didn’t take long for others to notice I was getting good ones and come over. It was a little inconsistent and the crowd definitely got annoying. I found a few fun pre-work bowls to be stoked with.
10-19-16 AM Session: 2-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 1 hr 15 mins
Waves Surfed: 16
Miles Driven: 26
The Buoys were still calling for plenty of WNW/NW swell. I decided to give Rincon a go before work. Though not as solid as the previous day there were still some decent lines coming through in the Indicator with a somewhat light crowd. I lucked into a few good ones between Indicator and River Mouth. It was just a tad on the weak side for my back hand making things a bit more work then flow. I heard from Ryan that Strand was off shore and just about all time. I had work so that option was out for me anyway. I guess I will have to wait for the next swell.
10-18-16 AM Session: 3-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 1 hr 15 mins
Waves Surfed: 19
Miles Driven: 26
I was determined to at least get some of the swell even if it was at its end. Rincon had some decent sets up top despite the crazy fat tide. The crowd was rather light as well. Stoked I paddled and managed some rather fun ones down in the lower River Mouth section. For a change my back wasn’t really hurting that bad.
10-17-16 No Surfing: 3-4+ ft
Miles Driven: 54
I wanted to get a surf in and I had a somewhat flexible schedule at work. Hoping for some low tide Rincon action I decided to forgo the morning surf and go into work early. I had a few hours mid day and headed south. The wind was not all that good for the points being SW and the swell was a bit torn up with channel chop. Emma Wood look borderline fun, but I had to be back in SB by 3:30 and given the short window I hardly thought it was worth the effort.
10-16-16 No Surfing: 3-5+ ft
Last night after the wedding we decided to roll out and blow off some steam. What was suppose to be a night of light drinking quickly escalated to a shit show. Between being exhausted from another heavy work weak and the drinking I just couldn’t pull my act together for quick paddle before having to go in for post event clean up detail. Ryan said Pitas was pretty fun and I am sure most of the other winter spots were fun as well.
10-15-16 AM Session: 2-3+ ft. Hammonds
Time in Water: 1 hr 15 mins
Waves Surfed: 19
Miles Driven: 11
I can’t remember the last time I woke up earlier then 7 for a surf. I could barely sleep last night. All I kept hearing was waves crashing down at Lead Better and I knew that the morning was going to be on. I didn’t have a lot of time and was relegated to town. The buoys looked right for Hammonds and sure enough there were waves. It was only about waist to chest though I saw a phantom head high set while checking it that had me running back to the car. It was a bit fat with the deep 6 foot high tide making it very hard to get a great ride. I did manage a few air reverses. With two weddings in the afternoon I really was glad to have got a surf in.
10-14-16 AM Session: 3-4+ ft, Rincon
Time in Water: 1 hr 20 mins
Waves Surfed: 15
Miles Driven: 26
I really wasn’t expecting anything great considering the let down the past two NW swells were. Upon waking up I had a look at the buoys and they were spiking very west, Rincon west. I booked it straight to Rincon and was greeted by solid chest to head plus walls with maybe thirty guys on the entire point. The tide was a bit fat, but considering the crowd and the fact that Rincon was actually breaking I paddled. The top though a bit bigger and more consistent was way more crowded then the Cove. Despite the high tide it was still very short board-able. All the usual regulars were out and at least for a little while before the ever incessant crowd started to gather everyone took turns getting fun ones. I call boxed at least ten. When I got out the crowd had grown to 100 strong and Ryan said we he left in the afternoon it was easily a 200 crowd. I guess that was opening day.
10-13-16 AM Session: 2-3+ ft, Emma Wood
Time in Water: 1 hr 15 mins
Waves Surfed: 22
Miles Driven: 54
After yesterday I was not about to deal with the same crap over at the Harbor. I gave Emma a go. There was only one guy on it when I pulled up and there were a few average looking lefts and rights. As soon as I paddled the one guy bailed giving me the lineup to myself. I found a few alright ones though they were few and far between.
10-12-16 AM Session: 2-4+ ft, Santa Clara River Mouth
Time in Water: 1 hr
Waves Surfed: 15
Miles Driven: 64
I really wanted to surf today. Once again all of my driving resulting in laughable at best conditions. Since I drove I forced the paddle. New Jetty was the best looking option but with a solid crowd on it and three cameras on the beach I was not about to endure that bull shit. I thought I saw some pick and choose corners at River Mouth thus I ran down there. In reality it was just pick and choose backwashy close outs. Good Times.
10-11-16 No Surfing: 3-4+ ft
Miles Driven: 78
My girl was off and she wanted to come down with me to the beach. There was some WNW in the water and I was hoping that Rincon would have a fun wave. It didn’t and neither did anything all the way down to the Strand. Instated we ran some errands and checked out the Olivas Adobe, a historical ranch home in Ventura. I must say if you are in the area it is totally worth your time. Afterward we had a look at Emma and the Harbor. The Harbor was huge and walled, Emma was tiny and closed out.
10-10-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
Miles Driven: 64
We charged the Wild Cat last night. As a result I decided to sleep in with my girl rather then rush down for the meager at best offerings. I had a look around mid day but the wind had come up thrashing everything. Over it I decided to just get into work a bit earlier. On another note my Iphone decided to update itself while I was sleeping and man do I hate this new software update. It looks and works like shit. Fuck you Apple.
10-9-16 No Surfing: 1-2+ ft
I had a wedding that I was a tad behind on the prep for thus I had to go in early in the morning. From what I saw on the cam and the report I didn’t miss a thing. As for the wedding it went off famously.
10-8-16 AM Session: 2-3+ ft, New Jetty
Time in Water: 1 hr
Waves Surfed: 15
Miles Driven: 64
I really wanted to surf this morning and the cam at Cstreet showed some lingering swell with light off shore winds. Stoked I cruised south. Emma was small thus I continued to the Harbor. There was some bullshit charity walk or something making parking a real bitch. River Mouth had lots of small pick and chose corners and if I had unlimited time I would have paddled it. I only had about an hour thus I decided to surf the Jetty which had three decent peaks with a light crowd. Though a bit weak I managed a few fun ones. On the way home I killed in traffic courtesy of the Avocado Festival in Carp. I hate weekends and the bullshit the masses try to entertain themselves with.
10-7-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
Once again I had more early work and another 9 hour day leaving me little time to surf. I got a text from Ryan in the afternoon claiming “Emma was sick”. Fat lot of good it did me. At least I’m stacking paper.
10-6-16 No Surfing: 2-3+ ft
I had to work another two jobs starting at 9am and running all the way till 9pm. There was no way I was going to be able to fit a surf in during that duration of time. From what I heard it was average at best.
10-5-16 No Surfing: 2-3 ft
I had to Work to jobs yesterday one at 11 and the other at three. The surf was no great shakes thus I decided to save both my gas and energy. On another note I finally received the lamp shades I order from IKEA. When I got home there was this small box on my front porch. It said it was from IKEA, but the box was way too small to contain two 11 inch lamp shades. Sure enough it did cause the both were in 38 pieces. I know when I ordered the products the descriptions said some assembly required. I assumed that meant putting the rings on that attach it to the actual lamp. I suppose that the Swedish have a very different idea about what “some assembly required” than Americans do. Fuck I thought I was going to have to quite my job and learn the artisan trade of lamp shade building. Luckily for me my wonderful girl friend stepped in and build them for me. IKEA can go fuck themselves for all I care. That’s the last thing I ever buy from them.
10-4-16 No Surfing: 1-2+ ft
Miles Driven: 54
Once again I was shooting for an Emma Wood high tide wind swell surf. It was pathetically small, fat and windy. Over it I cut my loses and went home. I guess things are back to status quo around here surf wise.
10-3-16 No Surfing: 2-3 ft
Miles Driven: 64
Bizarro and I headed down midday as a result of a morning event meeting at the catering company. We were hoping to shoot some wind swell Emma Wood. Instead we were greeted with absolure crap everywhere. Hoping for something better on the afternoon low we decided to go thrifting in Oxnard. I didn’t really hit any great scores, but Biz found a come up or two. From there it was back to the beach for a lookey loo. Though a tad better everything still looked rather small weak and terrible. Oh well.
10-2-16 AM Session: 3-4+ ft, Emma Wood
Time in Water: 2 hrs
Waves Surfed: 34
Miles Driven: 54
There was quite a jump up in the NW wind swell in the water, with a bit of pesky south west wind on it and a very deep high tide. With those conditions all signs point to Emma. Sure enough there were lots of peaks up and down the beach. The crowd was a bit stiff, 25 guys, but on a Sunday morning such is expected. Still there were plenty of waves coming through unridden thus I paddled. The line up was way more shifty then I had anticipating making getting the good ones very difficult. On top of that there were a bunch of rip tides that kept forming tearing up the line up making positioning nearly impossible. My back was bothering me a bit throwing off my timing. End result I did a bunch of doughnuts. right off the bat I stuck a big ally oop and a nice backside air. IT was all down hill from there. Last night Will Ferrell was a guest at the party I was working and from what I heard he cleaned up his plate on all three courses. Will Ferrell likes my food…so at least I have that going for me.
10-1-16 AM Session: 2-3+ ft, Emma Wood
Time in Water: 2 hrs
Waves Surfed: 32
Miles Driven: 64
There was plenty of swell in the water this morning. Too much to be exact. From the NW there were two short period wind swells and from the south another two. Throw in a bit of channel chop from all the wind the previous night and conditions were about as mixed up as they get. I checked the Harbor first, but there was some paddle contest or something making parking tough not allowing me to check New Jetty. River Mouth had plenty of waves and there were the occasional pick and choose corners. It also looked like a ton of work. There was lots of water moving around and no limit on sweeping close outs. In retrospect I should have taken my chances there. The lazy surfer in me decided to just go surf Emma since I saw a few from the freeway. Turns out though some choice nugs over it it was just way too crossed up and mixed up. I managed a couple of airs, but besides that it was palatable at best.
Surfing Ruined My Life 