Indian Summer Maxing Out

Indian Summer is in full effect. This extravagant phenomenon occurs once a year, right about now. We've thankfully left behind the uber-cold and foggy 20-year aberration of August, and segued into hyper-great weather and perfect conditions for surfing. Too bad there's no surf, and I mean NO SURF. Poor has been replaced by flat.

But as we SUP surfer/paddlers say, when there's no surf, paddle. I launched into a perfect NorCal morning sea for a paddle from Platty's to E-Scape, back past Platty's to the Sea Sleaze at River Mouth, another one-80, and then out at Platty's. Time elapsed: 1.5 hours. Miles paddled: 3.3 relaxed and peaceful miles, walking, no strolling on water. For a low impact, sweet paced aerobic workout, it just doesn't get better than this.

The ocean is still pretty cold, the bait fish plentiful and the pelicans feeding in mass off the bait balls that are still nearshore. No El Nino this year, which could mean a mediocre winter of surf.

As I was getting myself together prior to launch, a guy pulled in beside me and asked about my board. It turned out to be Brooks. I worked with Brooks for a couple years as an administrative volunteer with the Ride-A-Wave program, but we'd never met in person. We put it together pretty quickly as we traded first names. It was very cool karma, and great to meet him in person after all this time. He's a long time surfer and lay down paddle boarder, and considering checking out the stand up thing. Getting a SUP would be the final piece in a well rounded quiver of surfing, paddling and cross training equipment cache for the complete waterman or woman.

Indian Summer just might stick around for the rest of the week and into the coming weekend. I grew up in the hot environs of Southern California and remember many a summer of beaches, my buddy's swimming pools and sleeping under the stars at friends houses. I didn't start surfing until I was 16, got my drivers license and could easily get to the beach. Gasoline? 25 cents a gallon! Life was free and easy and sunburned every summer. The Beachboys and Jan and Dean were kings. This weather puts me right back there. I'll take it every year.

Life is muy bueno amigos!
Sept 3, 2008 (W)
In: 1020
Out: 1140
AT= 74.7F to 78.6F
WT= 57.7F at the nearshore buoy
Wx: Indian Summer, clear and warm
Tide: 3.7 Rising to 4.7
Wind: Light NE (offshore) SE
Sea Surface: Smooth with some areas of light wind mottling
Buoy: NWS
1000: 7.5 feet @ 9.1 NW
1200: 6.9 feet @ 9.1 NW
1400: 7.9 feet @ 9.1 NW
10'4" Angulo SUP with Infinity Ottertail paddle
Fin set-up: Thruster with K2D2 4.75" center fin and FCS Occy sides
Bathymetry: Rock reefs
CDIP: (0900 hours) 5.3 feet at 8 seconds from 335 degrees and 1.8 feet at 17 seconds from 165 degrees