I've been hitting the waves near Fernandina Beach, north of Jacksonville for a few months now, trying to learn how to sponge. Hold your giggles stick riders. My biggest problem I'm having is getting any kind of consistent rides. Today, I was out and caught a nice shoulder on a chest high wave and was actually trimming for a decent bit. I have caught many waves, but never as good as this one and never on a consistent basis. How does one learn this sport if you're either riding the whitewater into shore or getting pounded by head-high-washing machine-type conditions? I can't go out every day as I live an hour from the breaks, so I have to make due with whatever conditions I get once or twice a week. Please help.
I guess that's just the way surfing is, never the same waves twice. I had my best day (yet) sponging here in NC back in September, long rides, nice turns, ah it was great. But you just have to take what you can get and have fun. It always puts a smile on my face.
I have to agree with scarecrow i stay down in miami , and i have to do with what i can get , but like you say puts a smile on face every time i get one, you know just having fun with it ... i jut started a couple a months ago ...
you could always be more picky about when you go out, and only go out when the conditions are near perfect, but I think going out in the washing machine conditions builds character (as long as you're a good swimmer!) The next time the forecast says overhead short period swell, choppy, and blown out, there's your chance to build LOTS of character. really, tho, surfing (and i guess maybe sponging, too... maybe) is something that is supposed to be a lifelong quest for the perfect ride. You can't expect to have each ride take you half a mile down shore in the longest barrel you've ever heard of. You just have to enjoy the time on the water while you try to get there.
Hey! It's nice to know I'm setting my expectations a bit too high. Don't get me wrong though, I love going out everytime, even in the one footers, just for exercise you know I don't know many of the guys that surf on my break, and most are surfers, so they seem to relate only a little to my situation. Thanks for responding.
