Bluebird Surf

Not the Binlang variety…but rather the air and water droplets and vapor expelled from a collapsing tube, barrel, keg what have you. We all have our special names for them.

The past couple weeks here in Norcal we’ve had our fair share of SPIT producing waves. I was out last week and snapped a few photos. I am waiting for my day to get spat out.

There was one day last year where I was doing some real Brian Conley type tube traveling….full on 75 to 100 yard rides under the cover of warbling walls and long pits. Think about that day often cause I haven’t surfed as perfect a day since. It was about 4-6ft backs, no wind, sunny and barreling the whole way.

Something to look forward to as we come upon our season here.

This last shot is kind of cool. No one out for you to gauge size except a flock of Pelicans. Don’t forget their wingspan is about 7ft and so this wave is pretty solid…and if you look closely you can see the Spittle about to be ejected. Hoot!!

This past weekend we were greeted with some winter sized surf that gave those lucky enough to get a taste of it a pre-season warm up.  OB had some good waves breaking on Sunday down on the south end.  Probably about 5 guys out including a bodyboarder that lost his board pulling into a good sized one and had to swim in from about mid way out.  There were a bunch of well selected rides and the only other casualty, aside from the bodyboarders leash, was a thousand pound Elephant seal that had washed up probably the day before in storm surf.

Mavericks broke as well and you can see what that looked like on Surfline.com

Looks like we are off to a good start.

Santa Cruz had some good waves too over the weekend and the past couple days.  Checked the cams today and saw some mean off the tops as I settled into my office chair.   Torturous!

The First Annual New York Surf Film Festival kicks off three days of screenings of independent short and feature films, cult classics, and world premieres from established surf filmmakers.  The first two shows are sold out.

“THE ROCKS” premieres tomorrow at 7pm and as described on the site ‘provides a look into the unexpected world of surfing New York City. Great waves break within the city limits at Rockaway Beach, where the concrete jungle meets the ocean. The juxtaposition of NYC culture with surfing is surreal, and “THE ROCKS” captures that rare experience on film.’

Here is some more information from their pr that went out last month.

st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} About the New York Surf Film Festival

The New York Surf Film Festival [NYSFF] will be held September 26-28, 2008 at Tribeca Cinemas in Lower Manhattan.  The event consists of three days of independent short and feature films, cult classics, and world premieres from established surf filmmakers. The official Website of NYSFF, www.NYSurfFilm.com will bring the festival experience to the surf community through the streaming of trailers, current news, photos and box office information. 

NYSFF is the premier showcase for international independent surf film. The mission of NYSFF is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience.  NYSFF’s aim is to build upon and shape the idea of what a surf movie is, while fostering the growth of this global community in NYC.  NYSFF is a Don’t Drop In Production, founded by Adam Cannizzaro, Tyler Breuer, Michael Machemer, and Morgan Berk in 2008.

NYSFF is looking for volunteers. If you would like to get involved or join our mailing list for updates & ticket information, please email info@nysurffilm.com. 

Just returned from nearly 5000 miles in 14 days traveling all throughout the South West of this beautiful country.  Completely dried out and looking forward to getting wet again.

Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press

One more reason to vote for the man.  Obama’s got style!

From the official film bio, ‘Aquaholics is a homegrown documentary about surfing in the Bay Area, 7 years in the making, featuring local surfing spots: Ocean Beach, Mavericks, Santa Cruz and a few secret spots in between.’

Read more here.

Playing this weekend at the Red Vic.

Check the trailer below.  Support Local.

The past few weeks haven’t been very photogenic, but there have been a few little swells that have come in briefly and provided some fun. Have shelfed the 9’6″ Amplifier and have taken out the 6’0″ Soul Fish, which in comparison, feels like a skateboard.

It’s been good to feel gravity again, but am a little rusty on the dumpy take offs. Was telling my friend that on my first wave the other night I took off on a good sized lump that came right to me. It was one of those waves where you get excited a few seconds before it gets to you and just know its gonna do its thing. Your mind starts racing with all the possibilities, you get super focused, smile creeps in, and the shadows around you start hooting, and then, for me on this one, the bottom dropped out…I tried to commit as much as possible, but ended up free falling nose first into the base of the wave and my board just did a down periscope and I slapped the flats with my face. It was pretty comical and a great way to start out a session.

Not every day has been dumpy though, we’ve had some fun in betweeners too. One of the elements has been just slightly off though. It’s been the wind and tide lately. Can’t seem to get everything to line up just yet. It is still really early though. Just a taste of what’s to come.

I’ve had some fun days for sure, but since it hasn’t been epic I’ve spent many a days just hanging on the beach taking in the natural beauty.

or lack thereof…depending on your perspective.

I happen to think the giant Jellyfish scattered along the water are beautiful…as are the unique sand patterns formed by the high tide.

The water is pretty amazing the way it creates these.

In other news, I just picked up a new 6’5″ the other day. It’s a Stretch Quad and I’m stoked to try it out in some juicier ones. Surfed it down in Santa Cruz on Friday and had a good time out at Rockview. Felt so mellow. Hoping the wind will chill and tomorrow will be the day for up here.

Until then I’m going to head out and enjoy the sun on this last day of August.