Sandy Beach Madness

Something for everyone

Stopped by Sandy Beach after topping off at the Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii Kai.  A nasty body surfing shore pound that either leaves you exhilarated or extremely injured and sometimes both.  Take a look.

All hands, feet and fins.  Don't know if these limbs belong to one or multiple persons.

Shacked 

It's kind of crowded

Sandy Beach, sandy tubes

Committed!

 Headed for oblivion. One inch of water below him; at the most.

Same for this guy but at least he has something between him and the wet, hard sand.

Late April on the North Shore

The forecasts had a building NW swell showing up on the north shore beginning Monday.  I had last been there a little over 14 months ago and it was, as they say, "the real deal".  I didn't expect anything like that since the locals were characterizing the swell as "playful".  But I've learned that "playful" here is not the same as "playful" in SoCal.  So, while it was nothing like the above photo, it was plenty powerful.  

First stop, Sunset.  Not Sunset big, but not all that small either.  The offshores were grooming the peaks to perfection.  

Not the shore break but not outside Sunset either

This dog took his coconut everywhere.

Next stop was Ehukai beach, which, as you can see, had some size and crowds to go with it.  Also home to the Pipeline which actually wasn't breaking all that well and was swarming with spongers.  But Backdoor was pitching some peaks that were breaking about 100 feet from shore.  Late, late under-the-lip take offs.

Da Boyz at Backdoor

I don't know who this guy is but he was snagging most of the waves.  If anyone recognizes him let us know.  Check out the size of his board.

And a little further down the road, Rockpile

The impact zone is the impact zone no matter what part of the world you're in.  About to get munched at Backdoor.

Couldn't help myself; this guy was getting some amazing rides.

Coming off the bottom; setting up for the drive

He knows he is in about 4 feet of water; that's why his eyes are closed.  He doesn't want to see what's coming.

Bust 'em loose!

The one and only long boarder.  

Ok, that's it for today.  Traveling into Honolulu this morning to visit the KoAloha ukulele factory.  Made arrangements to pick up some Koa wood for the ukulele I'm making.  More on that later.

Have a good one

Aloha

Gary

All photographs copyright Gary Erbeck Photography

A Bigger, Stronger Eddy!

This is the worst run of surf since... (fill in the blank). Strong eddy out in force today. Major sickness on the water, strong SE wind with waist to shoulder high junk. Poor conditions, worse shape and no one out. There are some larger head high sets pushing through Oh, and it's drizzling too.

Today is my last CSSR report from DM for the next 15 days. Starting tomorrow, I will be blogging from Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. Warm water, warm air and the island vibe. See you all when I get back.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

A Jumble

of crossed up, short period, doubled up waist to chest high crumblers. Kind of a mess actually. And the high tide is not going to help. According to Kenny, it has already "killed it". Slight surface texture; 9 people out.

Hey, word on the street is that Barb will begin her rehab assignment tomorrow at 15th street. This after 4-5 months out of the water following neck surgery. Be sure to look for her on those big fat lefts she likes so much. You may not recognize her though. She's about a half inch taller thanks to the surgery (insert short person joke here).

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

Short period offerings

High tide wind swell warble. Waist to chest high wind swell peaks all over the place. Sets are doubling up and closing out. Fair surface conditions with a slight offshore breeze. The reef is offering up the best pick and choose corners right now; everything else is walled up and right on top if each other.

A marginal day for the desperadoes among us.


Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

If This Doesn't Make You Smile.....

Thanks to Scott Bass for turning me on to the world of RC surfing!  Awesome, just awesome.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

If You've Got Anything Else

to do this morning, like clean out your sock drawer, this would be a good morning to do it. A bit of eddy sickness on the water this morning. Combined with some very short period wind swell that is throwing off some wicked knee to waist high crumblers and you get a marginal surf day.
The reef is flat, the sandbar in front of the park has some walled up 2 footers and Restaurants is uninspiring.
Ran into Luke on my way here and he is going to Scripps. I'm sure we'll hear more about that later.

Counting down the days till we head off to Oahu for some warm weather and warm water.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

Location:Coast Blvd,Del Mar,United States

Leftovers

For breakfast. Small scale (ankle to waist high) wind swell with an occasional set wave popping here and there. Slight offshore breeze, 5 people out including Luke and Kenny.

Half mile long lines of Cormorants scooting over the water to a bait ball right around the 1/2 mile bouy off of Restaurants. They are not having leftovers. The concentration of birds out there is amazing.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

It's Big. It's Clean. It's COLD

Big, fat, perfectly groomed overhead lines pouring through this morning. Just like the waves we used to draw on our high school notebook covers Air temp in the 40's with a significant wind chill factor from the ENE wind. Exceptionally clean (the shape and surface conditions; not the poo water) for post storm stuff. 4 people out. Just saw Marcos sprinting for the line up with a wild gleam in his eye; he's either pumped or extremely cold.

There are some majorly squared off barrels at Restaurants and just north of the lifeguard tower. As the cliche goes "...big enough to drive a VW bus through...". Definitely worth getting down here for a look see or if your hepatitis shots are up to date, a go out?

Have a good one


Aloha
Gary

So now it's COLD!?

Good sized storm surf and stormy conditions. Strong westerly winds and some hand numbing temps. Shoulder to head high and completely and totally hacked up. No one out.

Have a good one


Aloha
Gary

Paddle in at Jaws

No surf report this morning but I thought this video of a paddle in session at Jaws might be a source of inspiration as you sit, stand, or otherwise perch on the wall at 15th street trying to decide whether to go out or not.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary



Walsh 

Hefty SW Wind

Is on the water. No white caps yet but give it some more time. Waist to chest high crumblers with bumpy, choppy surface conditions and fair minus to poor shape. 10 guys out.

Sorry about the late report but I had to make a mayday run to the vet's office with our cat. She'd been missing for over a day and kinda stumbled in the back door this morning; had to have that stumbling checked out. All is fine except my wallet is a bit thinner and lighter.

Oh, and welcome back Clay from your trip to the islands. Me next!

Have a good one


Aloha
Gary

Location:Grand Ave,Del Mar,United States

Sir Edmund

Has returned. Surface conditions are still pretty good. Light, variable breeze, waist to maybe chest high, fair shape. Slow peeling lines; sets aren't as good shape wise. 10 people out. Chuck and Luke just now paddling out.

Well, it is what it is and with the weather looking increasingly sour as the week progresses, it's probably worth getting out today before the winds kick in.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary

A Bit More Swell Today

And Kenny's riding his Joel Tudor! Slight surface texture, gentle off shores, head high sets and somewhat crowded (30 people out). Fair to good shape; sets are walled up a little.

Kenny's assessment: "be sure to tell Chuck it's perfect". It is pretty good but not what I would call perfect. That would take about 25-30 less people in the water.

Have a good one
Aloha
Gary