In reality, yea, 35 degree water f***ing sucks, and when its 25 degrees outside its even f***ing worse. Depending on the day, it takes some real talking myself into it. MLK day was the last day I was out, man what a sick day! My stoke factor was booming after that session. Been really busy with work and school lately. I'll admit the past two swells we had, I skipped because I just couldn't convince myself that the freezing water and snowy weather were better than my warm bed and my girls even warmer snatch. All in all, some days I'm frothing and others I'm not. I'm ready to shed some rubber though. Bring on the bikinis and spring suits!
If I arrive at the shore to surf and it is cold, I find that the longer I look and evaluate the surf, the less likely I am to go out. So, get there, suit up, and get the puck in the water. Or else drive home with my tail between my ass...... And yes, this year motivation has been tough--been busy. Or that is the excuse. But I did go to PR, and lo and behold, I was at the shore every morning BEFORE dawn...waiting. It is the winter; it is the mammalian instinct to hibernate in cold.
Much less stoked this winter than say five years ago...mostly due to lots of pretty marginal wind/sandbar conditions. I've been occasionally suiting up at home, or suiting up in the car without even checking if i pretty much know its gonna be ridable, for exactly this reason, I know I'll stare at the mediocrity and leave. Probably half a dozen times this winter ive resorted to this tactic....every single time i've been glad i went.
^^^ That's what I do. I put the suit on at home, then go. I'll still check it, I usually bring two boards so I decide which board I want to ride. All I look for is, is it doable. As long as it's not flat and there's a face I can do something with I'm in it. I use the excuse that I already got my suit on, might aswell give it a go. I always have more fun than expected. This winter Iv been surfing with a bud. Everyday except one. I usually fly solo in the winter. This bud is like me in the sense that he dosn't care how big or small it is, as long as it's rideable he's out there. It's deffinitly helped with the motivation this year.
I actually left the house suited up on tuesday and looked at it and bailed. I was jammed up all day. Should've just went.
Glad it's not just me here with the increased hibernatory instinct this year. Couldn't agree more with the fact of staring at swell being a deterrent to charging. I'm certain that living 5 minutes from a break doesn't make me feel like it's soon fleeting if I don't charge or that I've invested a long drive there already. The time driving around town and checking spots then watching a few minutes til sets come in adds up and is time expenditure in and of itself. Before long, you've pissed away an hour locally and not even surfed yet. mitch, the buoys in EMass have been BelMar status twice in two weeks. Any chance the bars here or down your way have been refreshed back to quality structure? From what I've gathered by learning the last couple years, the big storms put it back the way it oughtta be. I guess I'll have to take a look at different tides and conditions to see any change.
The Dogs, DP and I are having a darn good winter. Uncrowded beaches, 65-75 F water, sunny, some nice waves marching through pretty regular. Lots of northerners escaping the snow and supporting the local economy. Life is good.
This is why I may never move from FL. Maybe consider San Diego one day, but can't think of too many places I'd rather be. Can always visit other places to experience different sh*t. Leaving for St. Kitts and Nevis Island in a couple weeks. See if I can get some good pics. Might bring a monkey back home with us. Apparently they run about freely there.
I didn't read half of the other post- And didn't read all of spiciolies but this winter is cold like last. Hard to get motivated to surf specially since the waves have been inconsistent I just try to look forward to the fact that when there are waves- the line up will be empty. And I can change in and out of my wetsuit in my basement instead of outside. This helps get motivated!
not empty enough. Too many people surfing in the winter now in "our area." Yes, inconsistent is right.
That will be an awesome trip. Bring DEET to avoid chikkengunya. I know something about monkeys, and recommend ditching the idea of bringing one back-- I look forward to hearing about your trip!
HAHA Yeah we won't be bringing a monkey back, aint nobody got time for that sh*t!, but it sounded fun. Thanks for the tip on the DEET. Should be an interesting trip, will let you know how it goes.
personally last winter for me was terrible. this winter hasnt been so bad and last monday was pretty banging and tuesday i had an excellent short board session, pumping to make a barrel or get crushed by a close out, makes the winter worth it... also basically had the break to myself and a few buds
