Bing Copeland

I had the good fortune to meet Bing Copeland at the Beach House swap meet in Bayhead yesterday. A living legend in surfing's history for sure.

Aloha!

I was gonna....

....try and sell my 10'6" this coming weekend at the board swap up in Bayhead, but I just don't think I can. Too many good memories with her underfoot. Here's to making a few more.

Aloha!

Board Design duo

Dan's 9'6" IsIs (left) and my 9'10" YYZ. With Rob G. holding on to Dan's board for the weekend, we had a chance to swap back and forth yesterday for a little compare and contrast between the two models. Although the swell didn't have perfect form, there was some size and a few would line up quite nice. Even after riding Dan's once before, I am still a little suprised with the weight difference as the IsIs quite a bit lighter than I had expected. And while I had expected some various differences between the two, there were more than I previously imagined. Let it be noted that although I am no extraordinary nose rider, I feel they both allow easy trips to the tip with the YYZ being easier to control once your up there. Guess that's a little YYZ owner favoritism. :) Regardless, they're both fun to surf so run out and test drive one for yourself. Aloha!

Cove sunset

Irene is on her way.....

Another hectic week for the family. Our Nags Head vacation was cut short and we left early Wednesday a few hours before the mandatory EVAC order went into place. Then upon safely arriving home on Breakwater Road, the local officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for our entire county. After some quick reviews of the storm and the projected path and strength of it, we decided that we were going to stay put and ride the storm out in place. Stupid? I prefer to think that it is a rational decision. Were not in a the flood or surge concern area. The winds are my only true concern and since we have a basement that's where we'll hang out for the storm. Have plenty of food and water, generator is fueled (my little test run two weeks ago seems to have been a good plan), have plenty of candles, lanterns and propane for the grill. So if we do loose power, its going to be a week or so long camping adventure. The rain is already here and the breeze is stiff but not severe as yet. Irene is just into southern NC and will be here later tonight. Here's hoping that all of those folks that are in the track of Irene will weather the storm OK. Aloha!

What a week.....

Monday: Had the best surf of the summer. Late afternoon TS Emily ground swell, light offshores, chest w/head high sets, warm water, and the crowd was departing as I was arriving. Still stoked 6 days later.

Wednesday: Celebrated 25 years of marriage to my lovely wife. Yep, still stoked 25 years later! :)

Saturday: Our son proposed to his girlfriend on a mountain in Colorado. Congratulations to the both of them!
What a week it has been. Stoked for sure! Aloha....

Really, a clam?

Yep! LB landed a clam on a spoon. Crazy!

Micro waves - Mega fun

A difficult day for wave riding but the girls were stoked to give it a try. Even LB wanted to catch a few. Not many waves but plenty of smiles. :)

Remi - flying!

Melissa - smiling!


Dinner at Anglesea Pub. Good times!

Early morning rocks....

A few shots of Greg and Yukon from this morning's surf. Fun little swell with the water temps still pretty cool. Ultra clear water and some great views of the aquatic life. Big stingray bounced off my legs as I was shooting in waist deep water. Thought is was cool, after I saw what it was.

Five over....

For me, this summer has been one of the best that I can remember is a very long while. Although we haven't had a head high wave since April, we have had plenty of small, fun and very log worthy days. The Board Design YYZ that I picked up late last summer has become an all time favorite for me. Bottom line, its the only board I want to ride. I have tried to get some of the other boards in the basement wet, but I find myself thinking of my new love the entire time I'm surfing them. This morning was another one of those small, clean, lined up early morning surfs. Five over, toes curled around the nose, flying down the line over crystal clear water was pure joy. No matter that it was, maybe, a thigh high wave. It was perfect. Over my surfing life I have always had the mindset of trying as many different boards that I could. And while I am still open to that ideal, it has become difficult to imagine anything else being as much fun as this one. Many thanks to Mr. Carrigg for creating this magic carpet and mahalos as well to Jamie Kelly for turning me on to it. Aloha!