Early Christmas Present

Finally had some decent waves with offshore winds. The wind had been blowing onshore for the entire week and finally we got the offshore break we had been hoping for. It was nothing spectacular but I had not surfed for a couple of weeks so I was jones'n for some surf! I think we are past the point of skinnin' it until the spring because the water temps are now in the high 60's. Bring it on, I have a new SG5 Steamer to keep me nice and toasty.

SUPn With Dolphins

A couple of weeks ago, Sam and I dropped in at Callalisa Park in New Smyrna Beach to go for a paddle on a beautiful, warm, summer-like day. We headed north out of Callalisa Creek and then to the left over to Chicken Island for a quick break. After our break we made our way past the marina towards the old high school to end up by the North Causeway. This is where we saw most of the dolphins. They were playing and having a great time chasing each other around. It was like SeaWorld without the cages and abuse. Want to SUP with dolphins too?

SUP Yoga

SUP Yoga is basically what it sounds like. It's best to learn or participate in SUP Yoga on a wide flat board. Some of the smaller narrower boards, like the one I use for surfing, are not good for yoga. I can do most of the poses I do in standard yoga - meaning not that many and I am not very flexible-- on a SUP. I recommend taking a class and seeing for yourself if it's something you want to make a part of your regular regimen. Anything you do on the water and on a SUP is going to be an experience you will remember.

Wekiva Island

Had a nice session last week dropping at Wekiva Island and worked my way up the Rock Springs Run for a few miles. Wekiva never ceases to deliver a great experience for viewing wildlife. The pictures I took are typical for what you will see on each visit. However, a couple of kayakers were hanging around looking into the woods and mentioned I had just missed a large black bear crossing the river by a minute or two. Maybe next time... 

A Great Run of Outstanding Waves!

We had an outstanding 6-week run of surf compliments of Irene, Katia, Maria and Ophelia. What's next? Cold fronts baby! I love winter surf in Florida. It's usually our most consistent time of year for waves and also the cold water keeps the crowds down a bit. Actually, we just had our first early season cold front this past weekend that brought temperatures down from the mid 90's on Friday to the low 80's on Saturday and Sunday. The Ophelia swell (round 2) had also entered back into the picture late Saturday so we really scored some great waves...again.

Power Through It!

Who says you can't duck dive an SUP? Check this video out of Kai Lenny "duck diving" a decent chunk of white water. I can't wait to try this! I'm sure the results will be quite different when I try it but who knows, it might end up being a worthy technique to have in the arsenal.

Little Big Econ

Last week Barry-O and I took a quick paddle down the Econlockhatchee River dropping in at the Little Big Econ Canoe Launch. It was a typical hot summer day without a breeze and thunder already booming by early afternoon. We headed south and found the river to be quite narrow in most spots with the need to go over or under trees that were blocking passage. This situation was amplified by the low water levels due to our ongoing drought conditions. Within an hour into our paddle the thunder started booming a bit more consistently and the sky became dark so we decided to turn around and head back. At about the half-way point of the return trip Barry-O got a little too close to a 12 foot + gator, unintentionally but still too close, and the gator bolted into the water. It's a widely-known fact that gators can move extremely fast in short bursts and will also whip with their tails as a defensive tactic. Either way, one could be knocked off their board pretty easily by a gator of that size and that would not be good. The gator came into the water with a huge splash and went under, heading my way, or at least in my general direction, to get away from Barry-O. You could say we were both a little FREAKED-OUT by the encounter with the gator and picked up the pace back to our vehicles. We made it back the rest of the way without incident and breathed a sigh of relief and laughed about it over beers and tacos before heading home. Not bad for hot summer afternoon in central Florida!

http://www.wekivastandup.com/SUP_ECO_TOURS.html

SUP Surfing Etiquette

Like it or not, SUP surfing is not going away. It's actually growing as a sport at an exponential rate so expect to see more SUP's in the line up at your favorite spot as the sport continues to grow. A little common sense goes a long way when it comes navigating your way through a line up. However, if you are a beginner to SUP surfing or to surfing all together, a crash course in SUP Surfing Etiquette may be helpful to you and other surfers.
Stand Up Paddling Etiquette from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.

SUP Surfing The Colorado River

Check out Dan Gavere and other river surfers catching some standing waves on the Colorado River this past spring. This looks like serious fun!

Jump The Shark

Here's a video of a spinner shark jumping over a surfer. We're in THEIR world.

Land Paddling

Land paddling when I can't make it to the river or to the coast for a paddle or surf. Land paddling is great for cross-training and also good practice for paddle transfers from side to side. Video

Wildlife At The Wekiva

Back in April I went for a quick evening paddle in the Wekiva dropping in at Katie's Landing. From my front door to the drop in it's a little over 5 miles but seems like a different world when you get there. Sometimes there's a pair of wild turkeys running around the parking lot or near the water's edge. That day I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a deer, a sandhill crane with a baby chick and a great blue heron.

The paddle was nice too.

First Wave

Remember when you caught your first wave? I don't mean when you bounced on your belly in the whitewater and stood up for a second before falling. I mean the first time you caught a wave cleanly where you were in the perfect spot so that you could drop in down the face of the wave, make a bottom turn and go down the line with a few carving turns and cut backs until the wave fizzled out. If you don't remember your first wave, well, that's too bad. I do, and I can still remember the spot, the weather and surf conditions, who I was surfing with and I can play it back like a movie in my mind whenever I want. I had another one of those first wave experiences a few months ago when I caught my first SUP wave. The conditions were not epic: waist high and mushy but perfect all the same. I never forget first waves.

Lake Ivanhoe In April

Sam's first time on the board. She was a little shaky at first but caught on quickly. She's a seasoned paddler now.
Sunset on the hoe