Surf was smaller and a bit less consistent this morning, but still plenty to go around and it warmed up a lot compared to Wednesday.
I'm thinking that the difference in quality and size was due to the fact that there was more west in the swell on Wednesday which more favorably affects GW's than a NW. This is true even though the buoy readings today were bigger than on Wednesday. Swell direction counts for a lot!
I got started a little late while waiting for the tide to drop. So paddled out at 0755 instead of 0655. Made for GW's right off and picked up a number of waves right away. Andy paddled over after a while and we talked story and rode waves for about an hour before he took off for work. I had a conference call at 10:30 so didn't head back until about 0945.
I took quite a few pictures of longboarders surfing and am enjoying emailing them the pics. I can't remember all the names and faces so I have to send them a collection of pics so they can identify their faces. Then I send them the pics I got of the session. It definitely adds to the stoke when you get a few pics of yourself surfing, and it helps me to improve my photography skills. I'm starting to learn where I need to be to get a halfway decent angle on the wave and rider. The best really is to be in the water with fins so you can get close and then get out of the way. But my shots are just to document the session for my blog and give a few souvenirs away to my fellow surfers. I enjoy seeing the smiles on everyone's faces and it certainly mellows out the crowd.
November 2, 2007 (F)
In: 0755
1st Wave: 0805
Out: 1000
Wave count: 15+
AT=52
WT=58
Wx: Mostly clear with fog dissipating to clear skies
Tide: 3.73 Falling to 2.9
Wind: Light offshore to glassy
Sea Surface: Smooth
Buoy: NWS
0700: 8.5 @ 10.8 NW
0800: 8.9 @ 13.8 NW
0900: 8.5 @ 14.8 NW
1000: 8.2 @ 14.8 NW
10'4" Angulo SUP
Rock reefs
Waves: 4' @ 13 (approx. ave.) Storm Surf Buoy Model
I assume you use the Olympus water proof camera for most of these photos. Have you found a good strap that floats the cameras weight?
ReplyDeleteI have the same camera. I haven't found a decent strap yet.
Keep up the good work!
Dwight
ReplyDeleteI am using the Olympus 790 SW waterproof camera. I researched a couple straps. A floating strap is sold on the Olympus accessories website but is too bulky for me to be comfortable with. What works for me is somewhat risky but I think the risk is minimal.
The camera comes with a woven synthetic wrist strap that is attached to a small monofilament like loop that attaches to the camera. I didn't like that so I tried to work a metal ring into the same attachment area. That didn't work. So I ended up using the wrist strap that comes with the camera as per Olympus design. I then used a neck strap halyard or lanyard which has a metal clip to attach the neck strap to the Olympus wrist strap. This I wear around my neck.
Since I always wear some sort of top, be it a wetsuit or even a variable thickness rashguard, I am able to tuck the camera into my top when it is not in use. This keeps the camera protected from various impacts like swinging around and getting bashed by my body or my paddle. It also keeps it somewhat dry and out of the water. When I need it in a hurry it is a bit of a hassle to pull it our of my shirt or wetsuit, and I do miss some shots, but overall it is quite workable.
My sense is that it would take a lot when the camera is tucked into my wetsuit or rashguard to remove it and the neck strap from my body and therefore lose the camera. Usually when I have the camera in hand I am off to the side and do not get violently impacted by the wave. If I am going to get hit by rough whitewash then my priorities are value based as follows: $1700 SUP leashed to my leg; $450 camera straped to my neck and hung on to with a death grip; $300 paddle tossed off to the side...it floats quite nicely.
Thanks for the inquiry re this issue. I will take some pics of the set-up and do a blog post so you can see what I'm trying to describe.
Thanks too for the compliment...
gary