Water hit 70 degrees at the Park yesterday, and forecasts for today were for a new, long period south swell to join a small northwest wind swell. Wind forecasts were questionable, but the Park gets good with that mix. Add a little sunshine for an ideal day.
As shown in the shot above, it was almost glassy and definitely peaky on our arrival, but under a dull gray sky. Five surfers were camped on the Main Peak. An equal number were scattered through the LG 1 area, but not many out for a day like this.
As I was finning up on the beach, Shawn O'Gorman came up the beach with Heather and their dog, prepared to "skin it" for the first time this year. With water at 67 and a cool morning, I'd gone for the spring shortie, but even that's a luxury after full wetsuits since October! It felt a little cool getting in, but was very comfortable through the ensuing, two-hour session.
For the first hour-plus, our bodysurfing pod of Shawn, Craig Thomson, Mark Ghattas and I had the main peak area virtually to ourselves. With shoulder and head-high, peaky waves, warm water, near glassy surface and sun starting to peak through, we wondered where everyone was!
Eventually, the sun broke through for good, lighting up a summery day. Kids played in shallows, lifeguard stands were opened, and cones set for their jeep. Inevitably, the lineup filled in, though today a little oddly: having enjoyed the main peak for bodysurfing while a few surfers worked further south, we were surprised when a group of about a dozen surfers, all together, arrived and paddled out precisely where we were set up. Really? Not like there wasn't a lot to work elsewhere!
By the time we exited, Riviera (above) had filled in pretty well, too. Mark and I went south of the rocks to the area between the rocks and LG1 and worked that for about 45 minutes, getting some of the best rides of the day. Inevitably, a pod eventually broke off the concentration at Main Peak and invaded the peaks we'd brought to their attention.
While the northwest was peaky, the south starting to fill in had a greater tendency to close out. That, though, made a good opportunity for some tube time ... and some tube photography (above).
The bowling wrap that the Main Peak can get in this swell mix is evident above.
As seen above, the sun brought with it a little texture-generating onshore breeze, but the size held up while getting a little crumbly.
But there were still good ones coming in ... and, as so often, many left unridden.
Only the third reasonably good session of the year so far, I hope this is a promise of what summer '13 holds, after a sub-standard fall and winter!
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