Santa Monica, that is! Yes, really.
Santa's gift was that much more than expected of yesterday's swell lingered over into this morning ... but, unlike yesterday, the conditions (if not water quality) were clean, wind calm and sun out.
Got a morning text from (son) Allan, who lives on Bay Street - just South of the Santa Monica pier - a block from the water, that there was definite size, if a little walled, but fun and with some corners to be found. Shortly, another followed, forwarding a text from his friend, Mike Gross, in Venice, with a photo showing overhead surf with shape:
While I woke Joe, who got in late last night from New York, loaded the car and set out from Pasadena, Allan and his friend, Fuzzy, scouted Venice and Santa Monica up to Chautauqua. Final destination, concluded as we pulled out of the I-10/PCH tunnel: Bay Street.
As we pulled into the lot at Bay Street, the sun had come out and a series of clean, if a bit closed out, overhead sets rolled in. First surprise as I finned up and waded out, about 10:45, was that the water wasn't all that cold - close to 60. No visible debris, either, even though we were just South of the Pico wash. Next surprise was that, though there was a mild cross-breeze from the South, the surface was glassy and the NW swell clean and organized. Though a few more plus sets came in, height backed off a foot or so but a regular parade of head-high+ rights and lefts, not quite so hollow, presented itself over the next 45 minutes.
Other than Joe, Allan & Fuzzy, all on boards, there were only four other surfers scattered across several blocks above & below Bay Street. Another friend, Schwimer, paddled out in full winter suit, including billed hood, and took his usual control over the break.
Eventually, the breeze picked up and shifted West to onshore, as the surface textured and organization suffered. But before that, I scored a good half-dozen, head-high...a couple plus...solid slides. Only one was particularly steep and fast, a big, overhead, right barrel that I dropped into and started to line up into the slot. It was going to be a short ride, close out in maybe 20 feet, but a nice tube was promised. Unfortunately, one of the sticks was paddling out and the line I needed to follow to hold the wave headed directly across his path, so I had to exit early. But good vibe held and he waved his apology.
In the lot afterward, came upon Schwimer, sporting the red/white/blue, NBA-logo style, t-shirt I'd given him last year, worn with pride. Told me he used it to explain to the spongers up North that they outta try it without a flotation device.
As with last year, on December 20 in Venice, it was a rare treat to share the water with both Joe and Allan. And this year was much better - an excellent day of surf! In Santa Monica, no less!
Thanks, Santa!
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