To all the Hardcore Chillers, Not sure what the word on the street is, but how does people feel about just going out on your own and surfing in winter with no one around, people fine with that or do they prefer going with a buddy or scouting out places that are not totally isolated. As someone who has only been in it for 6 months, the thought of going on my own with no one around in winter, well, I can't decide, is it normal or should you at least make sure others are around just in case. Was thinking of setting up a group where random chillers in the Monmouth NJ area who prefer surfing with others could get talking and arrange meet ups to surf? Might get to meet cool new people, and hopefully just have a good time as opposed to doing it solo. I got a few surfer buddies but with all our different schedules going down, finding a person who can make that Monday morning session for example, is hard. What do you all think? Peace!
I think it's a good idea. Here in vb if there are any waves at all its hard to not see a couple people around in the good spots haha. I'll have to admit I get a little sketched out when no one is close by and I think something about the cold and gloominess play with you mentally... but maybe that's just me.
i'm good either way but pay close attention to your body. One of the bad things with hypothermia is that you lose judgment so if you are out alone you could be in bad trouble.
If you're just getting into winter surfing tag along with some people for the first few sessions, noticing the small things they do to save time changing in/out of their suit. I usually get out when my feet are so cold that my surfing is actually comprimised, but i think thats just because i have bad circulation in my feet as the rest of me is usually fine. Its a personal thing to know when to get out. Oh and also try and limit your number of duckdives/wipeouts.
yeah, 1 friend is always good to have with you. someone to talk to at least. but if you're gonna charge it alone DEFINITLY just tell someone where you are and tell them you'll call when you get out so at least they're thinking about you. isolation can be nice when the conditions are mellow and the weather isn't too harsh, but experts use the buddy system in all sorts of dangerous professional fields for a reason.
in the winter time, in heavy waves, no doubt its a good idea to have a buddy nearby... sometimes, simple things like cramps can be kind of scary in the winter when its thumping. cheers to the heavers today in jersey. I'm still rehabbing the shoulder, but it was definitely pumping. Shot some photos, I"ll post later.
I surf small days ( like waist to chest) alone all the time. Shoulder and up I prefer to have a friend there or I will tag along within eyesight of a stranger. Today was sooo good!
I am also part of the Hardcore chillers surf team. Our group is made up of three (sometime four if his wife lets him out) hardcore chiller surfers who have just started in the last 6 months but have progressed pretty well. We mainly surf in the monmouth county (asbury/ dea) area. We are in our mid to late 20's and enjoy anything active (kayaking, skiing, mt. biking, cycling, etc.). I am trying to get into pond ice hockey this winter too. We are always looking to meet new cool people with good hearts that like to chill (hence...hardcore chillers). Let us know if your down for the cause in joing the hardcore chillers surf team.
honestly that is half the reason i dont go out or go to a different spot. i havent surfed my home break in probably 3 months because my buddy who i have always surfed with moved to malibu (bastard! ). instead i go to a more crowded break (crowded for winter lol) so i am not alone for a mile in both directions hah. safety first!
Today was my third day in cold water... first day with real surf. I went out solo. Every time I've been out it's been solo [maybe an occasional beach comber]. I dunno, I hike trails I've never seen before solo too. I kind of dig solitude. In my opinion it's about knowing your limits. I'm kind of a risk taker, but I understand that too much of a risk might mean that I can't take a risk tomorrow. When I got out today I tried to talk to someone who was checking out the surf and my speech was slurred. Haha kind of freaked me out a bit, I was definitely a bit hypothermic. But I'll be out again tomorrow if it's lookin good! I drove 2.5 hours to get to the shore, I'm not wasting a second of it!
I got out of work with very little time to surf today. So I just headed straight to where I knew it would be good, and surfed for an hour and a half before it got dark. There were 25 guys in the water at one point. The swell angle shut a lot of places down and concentrated the crowd. I got a few but at one point started getting kind of pissed off and frustrated, wishing I was solo. But for only surfing for 6 months, don't surf alone.
either way it don't bother me if there is a crowd there are only 5 or 6 guys I am friends with that surf. Surfing alone is only recommended for the seasoned surfer. I have surfed knee high days and head high days alone and it a very special feeling to know that you can depend on yourself when the cards are not in your favor and coming out victorious
Yea all great points, thanks! If there are any people out there that can do week days here and there and of course weekends let me know, but at the moment shoulder is my limit. I want to push further but know that it will become demoralizing and knock my confidence down, so for only going at it six months I'm fine with the shoulder for now. I made a group on facebook, just because it seem the majority of people are on there, so if you surf in the Monmouth area, as DICEMAN said, we are down to meet chillers and surf up. Have a good one! Peace! Facebook Link:http: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=120055014707799 The Surf Shack (Monmouth NJ) Area
Years ago, I really loved the isolation, and being alone at a good spot. Now, all my real surf buddies have moved away or just dont charge anymore. I can't even convince half my friends to surf a reef, any reef with me... So these days, since I surf solo like every day, I really do like to find at least a couple guys... In the winter, when its really big, I get kind of bummed when I find a sick spot, paddle out with two guys out, and then as soon as I get out, a big set somes, they take a wave, then they get out... Then I am left out there alone, with no lifeguards and no one in plain sight just surfing sig sh**. That is when you will see me laying on my board with my feet up and stuff. Just sketchy.... On a warm summer day, with warm water, I will go as far as I can to find an empty spot. I will surf alone all day... But when winter comes, and leashes snap, and rouge sets are out there with very big fish.... No matter your skill level, its nice to have piece of mind... I hate the feeling of being the last dude out in the lineup on a huge day... Its easy to say you want to surf alone when its small and warm... we all feel that way. But dont surf super cold, or real big surf alone EVER.
I'm also looking for folks to paddle out with in the winter. I started surfing just last winter, but in Florida; so this will be my first real winter surfing, and I get pretty unnerved going it alone. I live in DC now and surf mainly at OC and Va Bch. Right now I'm unemployed and so have no problems getting out during the week. PM me if you're interested.
honestly, it is really common sense wether or not you should surf alone. when it's chest high and mushy definitely try and find an isolated break so you can get more waves for yourself. if it's pumping and overhead heavy barrels, going to a spot with nobody out is probably not the smartest thing. its also always nice to be out with a few buddies and get pitted and come out hearing them stoked for you. just use your gut and you will be fine. the other day i paddled out alone before school and nobody was around, pretty scary getting tossed in heavy surf when the sun isn't fully up and half of the people in your town are sleeping haha. but then again, i scored a few barrels and had a fun time
