exploration
Someone tipped me off about a low-key spot 3 or 4 hours from here.
I received an email about a idiosyncratic reef that had awakened after 6 months of dormancy.
I called in sick the next day and drove with my sis and her boyfriend down the highway and then along the coast to the spot. With only a few vague landmarks to go by, we weren't sure if we'd found it, but we parked the car and got out when we saw the "crop of trees in a valley after the third bend once you pass the big barn." Turkey Vultures hovered in a tree above. Cows mooed in the distance. We could see the ocean a few miles away at the end of a wrinkle in the hills, but it was going to be a long walk through what looked like boggy cow-pastures and some farmland. We loaded up our stuff; wetsuit, booties, snacks, water, herbal refreshment, sunscreen, etc. into our packs. We hopped a fence and began hiking through the fragrant, beautiful California countryside. We had to trailblaze our way down there and my sis questioned the sanity of the mission a few times, thinking some belligerent farmer was going to pull a shotgun on us. Eventually we made it to a muddy stream which we followed for about 20 minutes. To the West i could see that the ocean was super-mega-ultra glass and the wind blew slightly offshore. Sweet. After another 30 minutes of circumnavigating swampy marsh, fording divots in the stream and bypassing huge swaths of cow manure, we made it to the top of a cliff overlooking the spot. It was sight that would make any surfer sniffle. Chest to head-high primo-glass reefbreak breaking consistently and mellowly into a little channel. Rights and Lefts. Some burgers. Some barrelesque sections. Waves really tripping on the reef and running along. Nobody out. Nobody around anywhere, in any direction. The only problem was that it wasn't obvious how to get down there. We backtracked to where the stream descended the cliff and started walking down the little trail cutting through the cliff-side. Unfortunately we could not get past this one part which had become a giant waterfall (that smelled like cow shit). The descent looked really dangerous. It was the last obstacle between me and those succulent, empty reef-break waves. the beach was 20 feet below and i couldn't get there!! argh! Soo.. we hiked back up to the top of the cliff and just kind-of stood there, watching perfect waves, not knowing how to get down to them. Fuck! Three or Four sets came through. I was hiking up and down the top of the cliff, looking for another way down. My sis and her boyfriend started to set up camp, just chilling. She mentioned that maybe we should just go back to that beachbreak an hour away (weak and shitty) and i was like, "arghg! i gotta get down to this wave."
Then, like a dream vision, two surfers, a guy and a girl, came walking down the trail. They kind-of gave me a grimace as i approached and asked how to get down there. I told them that i'd give them all the dope waves and that i was sorry to spoil their solitude. Turns out there existed this not-as-steep-but-still-really-steep gravelly cliffside that you could slide down in your wetsuit a quarter mile away, then on the post-surf return you could scramble up the waterfall trail in your wetter. Siiiick! soo.. i followed them down the sketchy-ass cliff, sliding out a few times and tearing a mini hole in my suit. We finally made it down to the rocky beach and proceeded to surf this little reef for a few hours.. until the sun began to set. Tons of zippy, head-high, chunky, character-rich, squirty waves came through. The dude had style and smoothed his way through many S-turns and a few brief cover ups. The girl liked to go left and so sat real deep and took off on the shorter, punchier lefts. I found a bunch of racy, multi-pump rights to sate my surf jones. Did a few cutbacks as my sis watched from the cliff. Had one nice over-the-falls into the rocks wipeout. Left a happy surfer.
On the way back it was getting dark and we lost our way a few times. At one point we heard what sounded like high-pitched banshee yells from the road. We then saw two teenage girls standing up there, looking at us. Screaming. We stopped and looked at each other and were a bit freaked out. The girls then continued walking and singing/screaming their tripped-out siren song.
From the wavescape art expo
groms
Where are the pics?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 10:39 AMThe National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for the North Bay coast south to Big Sur from 4 a.m. Thursday through 10 p.m. Friday.
A strong storm heading south from the Gulf of Alaska is producing large swells that are expected to reach heights of 15 to 17 feet along the entire coast.
Beach visitors are advised that rip currents and localized beach erosion will produce treacherous conditions and that fishing or standing on exposed coastal structures or rocks is dangerous when surf is high because large waves can sweep people into the ocean.
Posted by: Ohhhhh yeah! at March 1, 2006 10:42 AMnice one e! thats pretty much making the most of a no work day..
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 10:43 AMI have dreams like that a lot. But, damn I can never find my way down the cliff. Flipping cool story. You need to write a book.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 10:44 AMThat's awesome ... few things compare to the discovery of out of the way surf spots along our majestic coast....
Posted by: Don't dis my Peaveys at March 1, 2006 10:45 AMe--I recommend travelling w/ a 50' chord of rope (or longer). That usually can help bypassing steep creek sections. Or help save a beachgoer if you happen to see someone in trouble. You can pick up rope samples at Gus's Tackle on Balboa. Nice story. Unfortunately, I'll be missing out on surf this weekend :^(
Posted by: amigoism at March 1, 2006 10:55 AMOne less amigo in the lineup.
e - nice rig yesterday. here's mine. Let's Do This Thing!
Posted by: EG Pimp at March 1, 2006 10:57 AMe, sounds to good to be true
Posted by: otf at March 1, 2006 11:00 AMvalidation?
Carpo
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 11:01 AMPure ASL.
Posted by: PNW at March 1, 2006 11:02 AMWe used to have days like that, skipping school at Cal Poly and exploring North of Cambria. those were the days!
Posted by: judahpeak at March 1, 2006 11:07 AMSpeaking of art, by the way, that's some great wave art, check this out. This guy did this whole thing in MS Paint using just a laser mouse and no resizing, text, or copy/pasting:
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 11:14 AMway to out the central coast - nice.
Posted by: KCLB at March 1, 2006 11:15 AMjudahpeaktranny
norchecotroll
lies. all lies.
where's the link?
Posted by: sactomex at March 1, 2006 11:15 AMgrommet vs gremlin
the shift from gremlin aka gremmie to grommet
aka grom is interesting. i have nothing against the
word grom and its aussie history but whenever i see
a little ripper or a wanna be little ripper, they remind
me of the logo from an amc gremlin...plus the cackle
of gremlins from that damn movie sounds like a bunch
of kids up to no good...which all little surfer kids should be...
anybody get in the water today? if so how was it?
Posted by: korewin at March 1, 2006 11:16 AMHey shhh, I know this secret spot under the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't tell anyone
Posted by: troll at March 1, 2006 11:16 AMI got wet, didn't last long...lumpy, sloppy, with a few shoulders poppin' up now and then. Just squeezed one in before the next storm arrives.
Posted by: sactomex at March 1, 2006 11:18 AMright on e! you deserve a sweet expereince like that for putting up with all the frustrated cube dwellers and bitter has been ASL guys.
and thanks for leaving it to the masses to fill in the blanks.
Posted by: 3to5setsof7 at March 1, 2006 11:23 AMlove the hammond and the rhodes!
Posted by: e at March 1, 2006 11:23 AMwhat are the gizmos atop the hammond? one looks like a moog something?
pimpin rig eg pimp.
e - those are two analog effects for my Rhodes. One is an Electro Harmonix Memory Man and the other is a Moogerfooger Low Pass Filter. Also have a CryBaby on the floor for the Rhodes. The Moogerfooger effects are great for guitar as well. They are basically pedal size components from the big, old Moog boards.
Posted by: EG Pimp at March 1, 2006 11:27 AMyep, i outed the central coast. it was a huge secret before 10am today. yah! come and blow me now, you tool.
Posted by: judahpeak at March 1, 2006 11:32 AMwait, wait. are you saying theres a CENTRAL coast in california?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 11:34 AMmy two cents for what its worth in the blogosphere...
Its no like the CC hasn't been outed already. Its not like people see that land mass/ocean mass and think.. oh there's probably not any waves and it sucks.
Surfers the world around are a lazy selfish bunch 90% of the time, and due to that, there will always be plenty of waves. Though, next time your favorite fickle wave is crowded, don't get pissed off at the surfers, they are just like you. Get mad at Mr. Collins and his new guide to california surf. Times are a changing...
If you can find it. Surf it. If you find that locals are mean to you. FIGHT BACK AND WIN. GO TO COURT AND HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!! or be passive and leave. RESPECT PEOPLE AND PLACES. Give them t-shirts that say "LUB ME SUM BITCHES!) Make booby traps, carry a loaded smith and wesson, fight fire with fire and increase the fear level to RED. Never look anyone in the eye and talk to them, never smile, never let on that you actually have feelings, might be capable of carrying on a conversation, wax everyones windsheilds... yours included... make friends as a challenge, its much easier to make enemies. change your sport to hot air ballooning, cricket or masonry.
YEE HAWWW!
Posted by: elias at March 1, 2006 11:41 AMis that the same guy who claims he doesnt read the blog? hmmm?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 11:42 AMClearly Mr. Mayor you appreciate large breasted brunettes. Good on ya Mate!
(and I don't think he gives a shit that she's a Scientologist!)
Posted by: Surfseeker7 at March 1, 2006 11:45 AMwho is that chick?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 11:52 AMis that the gavin's new chick?
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 11:58 AMyou know, the mayor of sf?
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 12:06 PMTalk about Cambria all you want. There's no way any of you could make a living there.
Be content with always being an out of towner unless you grew up there. If you did grww up there and didn't leave, surfing definitely isn't one of your priorities.
There's no decent surf there anyway, unless you pride yourself on surfing close outs.
Kiting on the other hand. Shhh.....
Posted by: Cambrian at March 1, 2006 12:20 PMduh, sorry surf seeker i only looked at the picture and not your comment..
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 12:20 PMThis is classic niceness. E doesn't even say which direction he drove and all of a sudden bitter Cambrians are piping up about naming.
Posted by: March fools! at March 1, 2006 12:30 PMbagel and his entourage
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 12:32 PMi was sooo wasted..
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 12:40 PMfucking morons
Posted by: not all but most of you and you know who you are at March 1, 2006 12:41 PM
Posted by: fucking mormons at March 1, 2006 12:44 PMyo brian. dream theater is playing at the Warfield.. you going?
Posted by: e at March 1, 2006 12:56 PMthanks 3to5. i graduated from vague is voque university a few years back.
Posted by: e at March 1, 2006 12:57 PMi read it on niceness first:
One route to more happiness is called "flow," an engrossing state that comes during creative or playful activity, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has found. Athletes, musicians, writers, gamers, and religious adherents know the feeling. It comes less from what you're doing than from how you do it.
Posted by: keys to happiness at March 1, 2006 12:59 PM
Posted by: Un-Conditional Wave Whore at March 1, 2006 01:00 PMYEEEHAAAA!
Hey!! YeeeHaaaaa your surf report for today. 4 mile everyone!!!!!! 4 mile!
Cost me 11.00 in gas r/t but worth every bowl smoked and every bitch slapped lip.
"Happiness" is overated.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 01:09 PMso iz speling
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 01:11 PMI could make a living in Cambria. I could make a living anywhere. My job is mobile. It's all relative. What you're really saying is there isn't a financial district or a booming internet sector in Cambria that could accommodate a half million transplants, and that's a good thing. Those who really want it can make it happen. But most people aren't willing to make the sacrifices, namely the CHA-CHING, to make it happen.
Norcheco, it's on. You and me, slutwhore. Let's frickn' DO THIS!!! Come on SLUTTY!!!
Posted by: Buttface at March 1, 2006 01:16 PMand on the naming tip...
my mom mailed me a pound of coffee she found
somewhere in the MIDWEST called surf blend
or surfer's blend....you know how family always
finds crap like that for gifts...so on the side of the bag there
were 3 surf spots listed...
1. steamer lane
2. pismo beach
3. 4 MILE was the third. no shit. where and the
time of day to get on it "before the wind comes up"...
all you namers and claimers bitchers move on.
next topic, please.
oh and coffee was sold by a company from
Posted by: korewin at March 1, 2006 01:31 PMsanta barbara.
korwin's coffee is gonna get so owned.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 01:36 PMDaaaaamn!
Holy coffee! That's pretty bad.
Posted by: welle at March 1, 2006 01:41 PMI could make a living in SLO County.
Wait a second, I DO make a living in SLO County!!!
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 01:47 PMnice one korewin. but was that 'fair trade' coffee? sounds like some exploiters if you ask me. and they wimped out on naming some santa barbara spots. ha.
Posted by: rza at March 1, 2006 01:50 PMbitter ASL guys?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 01:53 PMi was surfing in cambria one time and the locals were joking how everyone in the water (except me) was a realtor. cambria is a nice place but i'm pretty sure you have to be about 50 to want to live there.
Posted by: rza at March 1, 2006 01:57 PM*down the highway* 3 or 4 hours*
down typically indicates south.
3 to 4 hours = not too hard to guess
Posted by: duh yup duh which way did he go george, which way did he go? at March 1, 2006 01:57 PMno crack and ho's in cambria
Posted by: you call that livin? at March 1, 2006 01:58 PMOr maybe you just want to enjoy the ASL.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 02:00 PM
Posted by: Am I welcome in Cambria?? at March 1, 2006 02:13 PMCambria sucks, but phucking Montecitos goes off.
and dont get me started on St. Annes!!!
Bring it, BUTTFACE, I will give you the fattest chin omellete you've ever had! THATS WHERE THE GAINS ARE!!!
Is that really G. Newsome's new punch? rad.
Posted by: NORCHEEKO at March 1, 2006 02:28 PMA man who bit off a chunk of his girlfriend's cheek and spit it out onto the sidewalk was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday for assault.
Gareth Whyte, 27, could have gotten 25 years, but the judge said that he had no previous felonies and that plastic surgery had repaired most of Dorothy Pritchett's face.
Prosecutors said that as the couple argued outside their home May 8, Whyte bit Pritchett under her left eye, sinking his teeth through nerves and muscle.
During the trial, a prosecutor showed the jury a jar containing the flesh, and Pritchett testified that she still feels a burning sensation and numbness.
Whyte was convicted in January.
"When I was bitten and my flesh was spat at me, more than my face was damaged," Pritchett said in a statement read by a prosecutor. "The compassion and love I had in me was killed. My courage and self-esteem was taken away."
Posted by: Sick Fuck at March 1, 2006 02:38 PMHey Korewin
Anystyle, anywhere, anytime.
Posted by: Jiu Jitsu Motto at March 1, 2006 02:40 PMGavin's new Donkey Punch?
Posted by: Assface Lopez at March 1, 2006 02:51 PMsuperbank is on
Posted by: bagel at March 1, 2006 02:52 PManybody ever heard of some chick named Laetitia Casta or something like that?
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 02:59 PMgoogle it and post pics. what do you want from us? a bio? does a straight yes or no answer help your inquiry at all? I didn't think so.
Posted by: ask jeeves at March 1, 2006 03:01 PMCome on now...I don't care what Scientology spouting silicon enhanced honey he dates to keep up his manly image.
Posted by: ankors at March 1, 2006 03:03 PMit's that Sofia Milos chick from CSI Miami.
Go Scientologist Hotties!!
Posted by: suffo at March 1, 2006 03:14 PMI held Gavin's pistol just like this:
Posted by: Sofia Milos at March 1, 2006 03:17 PMwhore
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:33 PMshe looks old
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:35 PMhttp://64.78.18.131/live/QGC06/live.asp?rLingua=gb
Posted by: g-money at March 1, 2006 03:43 PMWhat's wrong with old?
Posted by: old at March 1, 2006 03:46 PMif thats old, then old is the new totally do-able
Posted by: I'd Do Her at March 1, 2006 03:49 PMCalling yourself 'Norcheco' is like calling and claiming the name 'Buttwad'.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:55 PMshe does look old. ah, my ding ding won't know the difference.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:56 PMclaiming as an anonymous poster is like being ridden by a man. i would know.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:57 PMit's only, she might have been made before they invented vaginas.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 03:57 PMLOST BOARD:
Help me find my 6-8" Merrick fat boy thruster. All white with black and red Quiksilver decal on the deck - multi-coloured foot pad for airials and a bright neon yellow nose guard.
Lost it inside Kelly's near the rock just before dark last night - last I saw it was washing up against the rocks under the Cliff House. It's my only board.
Reward 100 bucks.
ttthc1@hotmail.com
Posted by: S.O.S. at March 1, 2006 04:01 PMtalking shit while posting anonymously is a sure sign of that you have a small pee-pee. believe me, i know.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 04:04 PMI like sucking cocks
Posted by: Norcheco at March 1, 2006 04:22 PM
Posted by: sactomex at March 1, 2006 04:40 PMso much weaksauce limpdick schoolboy humor. try to find your quan.
Posted by: tired of idiocy at March 1, 2006 04:41 PM
Posted by: vida has the best ass at March 1, 2006 04:54 PM
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 04:56 PMThat girl likes horses.
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 05:07 PMno boobs on sofia wahine's site, but my corona is still half full.
Posted by: hee hee at March 1, 2006 05:14 PMU.S. funding "stealth shark project" according to Al Jazeera
Posted by: e at March 1, 2006 05:19 PMWhat happens when the shark implants malfunction? Do we have a bunch of number fives on our hands?
Posted by: Q at March 1, 2006 05:35 PMyou hit the nail on the head "tired of idiocy."
Posted by: cadaver at March 1, 2006 06:37 PMnice adventure story though e, and way cool to keep the details vague, mystery is good.
Mas cebollas!
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 07:04 PMthat girls ass is insane
Posted by: at March 1, 2006 07:23 PMThat 'mas cebollas' comment was hot.
Posted by: Dr. Perry Cox at March 1, 2006 08:58 PMcan you feel me coming?
Posted by: spring at March 1, 2006 11:23 PMTired- are you a true follower of shidao or just another niceness wèishànzhě ?
Posted by: fens ah-lawt at March 2, 2006 09:12 AMpinyin doesn't translate here
Posted by: at March 2, 2006 09:27 AMI follow no one. I lead, on my own path, a master of the ASL. you may follow my example, but choose your own path.
Posted by: tired of idiocy at March 2, 2006 09:31 AM"Sick's" an embellishment -- you took a V day straight up, didn't you! Honorable.
Da Boss
Posted by: at March 2, 2006 03:56 PMthanks, dude. that was the finest installment yet-sent some stoke to me out here in ri where it flat and 12 degrees-peace.matt
Posted by: mattfraza at March 3, 2006 07:51 PM