Fun and Foggy

I had a fun session at the Manhattan Beach Pier this morning. Like my session on Wednesday, today was foggy. Unlike my session on Wednesday, however, today was also fun, at least for the first couple of hours of my session. After a couple of hours into my session, the tide rose and, as a result, most of the waves were closing out close to the shore.

An Afternoon Session

I decided to catch an afternoon session at the Manhattan Beach Pier today to see if the new swell had arrived. Although the waves weren't as advertised, there were signs of the new swell. I look forward to tomorrow's morning session. Hopefully the conditions will be clean and not bumpy like last Saturday.

Flat and Foggy

I caught a morning session at the Manhattan Beach Pier today. The conditions were clean, but the waves were very small. I wanted to take more pictures, but there was too much fog.

The Famous Banzai Pipeline

I took a trip to Hawaii this past Summer (2008). I had the opportunity to see the North Shore of Oahu in person for the first time in my life. Although the waves were small on that particular day, there was something special about visiting what many consider the mecca of surfing. As I walked on the sand of the Banzai Pipeline, I couldn't help but imagine how many world-class surfers had walked on those same sands before me.

My New Gear

I purchased my first wetsuit a couple of weeks ago in preparation for my first winter surf season. Although the water hasn't been too cold here in the South Bay, I've already started using my wetsuit. More than anything, I wanted to know how it felt to wear a wetsuit. I was pleasantly surprised; my wetsuit wasn't restrictive at all and, in fact, it's quite comfortable.

I also bought a new board - Mike Stewart Science DK5. To make a long story short: this board is awesome. I look forward to using it during the winter season in the South Bay, when the waves should be a lot better than the waves that have recently come through.

Labor Day Session

I went to the Manhattan Beach Pier today, and I had the most fun session that I've had in the past three months.

I arrived at the MB Pier at about 6:15 AM. When I arrived, there were only about seven surfers and one bodyboarder in the lineup. Since the tide was low when I arrived, the waves were barreling nicely. In fact, I was able to get shacked several times riding prone and once riding dropknee. Furthermore, the water was relatively warm, which was a plus for me since I was only using a rash guard and boardshorts.

The only stoke killer was the crowded lineup. Yet, I guess that's to be expected at the MB Pier on a summer holiday.

All in all, I had a blast today. After today's fun session, I look forward to bodyboarding at the MB Pier in the fall, winter and spring - when the waves are better, and, hopefully, when the lineup is less crowded.