This system reached category 5, lucky for us looking forward to this weekends surf camp #3, the "CANE" went ashore at lower latitudes in Mexico. I watched it carefully and was hoping i wouldn't have to cancel. I arrived on the beach Thursday afternoon, 24 hours ago the storm surge had 2 feet of water where our camp would be set up. The surge was gone and the beach swept beautifully clean, and all that remained were large 12 maybe some 15 foot faces, just awesome. Mr. Minor wasted little time after arrival and got his "Cane" out and into the line up, some 400 yards offshore. With my 10 foot Tide Guide Gun, I can drop into the outside bombs. Drops where vertical, waves would jack up in peaks, you had to move around out there to stay in the drop zone. Quite bumpy on the faces of this summer swell due to east winds, so not many people out here. Surfed an hour and a half before i was out of strenght.
Next morning I made the dawn patrol to meet with my big wave surf partner Kevin, there is less wind, and swell still in the 12 foot range, fairly clean and some terrific fast rail rides after long bottom turns, just what us longboarders come down here for. Saw a couple of old surf friends, makes you feel a little safer out here.
While I was out surfing some human being stole a board off the surf camp trailer. I've been doing this for 8 years, so I'm not to surprised i guess, it is one of my best boards though, a 12 foot teaching board. Constable Jim Rector filed a report, and Ranger Linda Davis and Ranger Jamie at the Ranger Station helped later in the day retrieve the board, what luck, i did not press charges against the people who had it.
First surf students in camp are Nancy and Mike, then Tiffany and her 15 year old cousin Kelsey call me after dark for directions, they where just getting off the fairy boat and i asked them if they could see the moon, and to just follow it, meaning drive east until they hit the beach, they thought that was a fun way to get to their first surf camp. Nate and Eileen arrive, and Mary Beth and her sister Kari. All students make it and i am glad we will have camp.
Saturday morning Dean is gone, however some nice rideable wind swell is up and everyone is out with me by 9:00a.m.. Four sessions are surfed, every one is doing well and with some help from Tide Guide most everyone has been able to stand up. After lunch Kelsy applied two different sun tan lotions and she had a cosmetic reaction and a slight rash on her face so she stays in camp in the shade, and Kari is a little amazed by the size of the waves and the size of the longboard i gave her, so she is just happy to watch her Big Sister Mary Beth surf. Mike is riding well and Nancy has gotten up, Eileen is a natural and Nate will not be outdone and he is going for lots of waves. Tiffany is using the Sand Dollar a 8 foot board just perfect for her and she has made some beautiful drops and carves. All is well we had a fabulous time at surf camp #3.
