WSD- Trestles

WSD 2001 an extended version;

Friday 20th

Met up with Tom K at the power plant in Carlsbad and joined started the tour. I was, and still am enamored by the surf culture of southern California. We drove south stopping and checked out some spots as we headed down the coast, had some great eats next to the longboard grotto, and drove around some more. Southern California is nicer than I had imagined, and some of the beach towns were extremely nice, not the urban wasteland I had expected. I had to cut off my trip with Tom early as I promised my wife we would cruise around and check out the area. I called my wife after Tom dropped me off and she was still comatose from the bridal shower, so I headed to the nearest surf shop.

I ended up at RW surfshop in Carlsbad and talked for a while with the owners son (Chris?) he was blown away I surfed in Alabama (imagine that?). He showed me the shaping shed and we talked boards for a while, I finally rented a soft top (Doyle) 10' and went back to the power plant.

Waves: 3-4' Water: mid 60's Wind: Onshore 10-15kt

The soft-top was a real hog, super slow down the line, and a bit wobbly due to the upturned rails, but hey it was surf. Got a couple rights in although the majority of the sets were better lefts, nothing great, about equal to a normal day down south.

Sunday 22nd

Location: Trestles Waves: 3-5' Water: mid 50's Wind: hard offshore, then glassing off

I awoke at 4:00 and made the drive up to Trestles to meet John H at 5:30. I guess I drank a bit more the night before than I should have because I was a bit out of it, but made it there after two stops for coffee. John was in the parking lot as I arrived and we chatted a bit before going down to the water, as we were suiting up Dan came walking over the tracks and introductions went around. We headed out into the water after checking out the area for a while (John was too nice lending me his 7'4'' thruster). The paddle out was so easy, only ducking a couple of waves, but the water. Wow it was cold! I had my 3/2 on and I was shaking like a leaf, pissing was only temporary relief.

It was a bit difficult paddling into the sets with the strong offshore winds, but I finally got one short right, punching out the back when the section decided to pitch. I was a bit intimidated by the rocks (rocks what the hell are those?) and the short board. I got launched by one set trying to take off a bit late and the rag-dolling was not to bad at all. As the morning wore on I caught some more rights and more lefts, John's board was great, nice and loose but thick enough where paddling was easy. I stayed out until I was shivering way too much and decided to head in. We stood on the beach talking AS and the people we have met through the newsgroup.

All around it was an incredible trip, Tom, Dan, and John really made the So Cal experience great. Topping all of this off with some awesome waves made for an unforgettable vacation. Unfortunately I didn't have time to meet Neon, and Ben, but I knew if I went to San O I would end up paddling out and not make it back until late.

Thanks everyone for a great time, Andy

Oh yeah, and if you are ever in the area (from New Orleans to Ft. Walton FL) drop me a line.

'Andy' says...

<snipped>

An all around excellent report Andy, a very satisfying read. Good to hear you enjoyed your first SoCal experience and perceived it was 'nicer' than you imagined. (except for that cold water thing, it's the real ocean you understand)

Now about this time problem. Please reference my essay, 'Summertime is Surfers's Time,' on the subject and make a copy for your wife :^)
http://www.island.net/~surfer/foon002.htm#summertime

understand)

Yes, I agree Foon it was a most excellent read...I'd vote Andy for the Thermos...

Cheers

Nice report. Thanks.

For what it is worth, when I was a senior at Carlsbad High School a few decades ago, our teachers survey our class to see how many of us were originally from California. As I recall not one student raised their hand.

My friend defines himself as a local at the spot where he surfs most often. He says that if your great-grandfather didn't surf there, you're not a local. He's also a 7th generation Californian.

One day when he was saying this in a group discussing how long they had surfed there, and seemed a little too full of himself, I told him I knew his great grandfather (which was true) and he never gave me back that bar of wax I loaned him in the winter of '59.

That smart-ass kid gave me a case of wax the next time I saw him. =0