Surfing Waves

I have had this dream in my head for years, but never the means to follow up on it. The stars aligned yesterday while I was working alone, and by lunch I had the time off approved. My wife of 6 years will be in Texas for a couple weeks for her sisters wedding, knowing I would have no fun, she suggested I should not go. This made my mind work a bit. I decided I was going to use 4 of my 14 paid days off work to take my trip. The plan is to leave on Thursday the 14th of May after work and start driving on down to San Diego from my home town of Puyallup, WA. I get off at 2:30 ish so I figure I can drive half way, sleep, and continue down. I am taking I-5 down, and I will travel up the coast as I please. I don't have to be back at work until the 25th, so I can spend a day here and there. I know, I am crazy. I am going alone (with my dog) and with very little experience. I plan to buy a board over the next week or two, looking at a second hand "Darren Handley Design 7'6'' x 21.5" x 2 5/8 round tip tri fin fun board". I am going to practice here in Washington. Everyone I have talked to have said "it is easier to learn up here because of how the waves work here vs. there". I have been longboard skateboarding for 12 years, and experimenting with different types of land surfers. I have done it all from carving to bombing, town pushing to flying down hills at 50+mph. I like to think I am above the curve when it comes to balance and learning ability. Enough about that though, here is the setup.

1-My wifes Jeep Grand Cherokee
2-A camper trailor I am building (we will call it teardrop sized)
3-My dog
4-My surf and land boards
5-A bunch of Gasoline (petrol)

Thoughts? Ideas? Concerns? Locals want to help a noob ?

W.I.P. wrote:I know, I am crazy.

Huh? Why?
Most of us on here do that kinda trip all the time

you wouldnt believe how far Ive travelled in search of a wave...

I am crazy because I have never been in the ocean before (with the exception of wading). Crazy is a term I take with pride though. I wear it like a badge. I am looking at this trip thinking "my time has come"

Hang on!!
I think there is one massive tip you can give us!
How the hell did you manage to land a wife that lets you go surfing in stead of going to HER family events!?!

She understands me. I do everything in my power to keep her happy, even if it makes me miserable, and she does the same.

I have started working odd jobs to pay for this trip. I have to say, shoveling pigeon poop at a squab farm is a "crappy" job. Gotta fund the fun somehow though.

W.I.P. wrote:She understands me. I do everything in my power to keep her happy, even if it makes me miserable, and she does the same.

She does everything in her power to make her happy, even it if makes you miserable? Yep. That's a wife, alright

I am sure you know what I actually mean. She is a great lady.

Quick question. How is may in Southern California? How is the surf, weather, water temp, etc. What wet suit should I use or should I just wear boardshorts and sunscreen?

W.I.P. wrote:Quick question. How is may in Southern California? How is the surf, weather, water temp, etc. What wet suit should I use or should I just wear boardshorts and sunscreen?

May is usually not the best month for surf here, but that doesn't mean it'll be flat or you won't get lucky.
water temp. about low 60's, for me at the very least a spring suit or a light full.
weather is pretty nice around then and could get a heat wave.

Some resources you may want to use for research

http://www.amazon.com/Surfing-Californi ... gy_b_img_c
http://www.wannasurf.com

Southern Cal is usually a bit foggy with small waves in May, but can get good. Southern California is usually best in September / October. Santa Ana winds, good south west swells combined with some early season north west makes for epic conditions. The weather is usually sunny and the water is comfortable. The summer crowds have gone back to school.

Thanks for the imput, but I am set on going in May. I hope there are some beginner waves, if not I will have fun partying.

Dang, the second hand 8 footer I was looking at online is gone. It was a hand shaped gem... What do you guys know about Thomley Designs? This one is up for sale for super cheap, I am wondering...

Here is the sellers description. and there are pics if you want.

Thomley Designs Hawaii Surf Board Surfboard Tri-Fin 8'3"

I picked this up in Hawaii. Nice board. Thomley designs, 8'3" long, it has 3 FIXED GLASS FINS. Has one repair, but still good shape, watertight, fun board.

Link to add.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/spo/1052168021.html

I have also been looking at this one for a while, but I think i want it as a second board.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/spo/1048817928.html

I would like an 8-9 foot longboard that is decent, but inexpensive ($300 or below) as my main board to learn on.

i tend to have to travel about 250 miles each way to surf or a 125 ish each way

essex sucks wrote:i tend to have to travel about 250 miles each way to surf or a 125 ish each way

"Essex Sucks"

Dang, how often do you get out there?

when i am in work a least 1 a mounth but tend to do more but out of work at the mo so only every now and then. hence the essex sucks cause its so dam far from surf. my closest surf is about an hour and a half away but it sucks and does not work very often so i opt for 3 hours or 5 hours depends on whos going.

p.s this is manily on the trains 2

Well, trip is off. I ran into mechanical problems with both of my trucks, so I have to put money away for that instead of this. No worries though, I will get a good wetsuit and surf the Washington coast.

This is on hold until next year. I am keeping the faith although my stoke has been extinguished at the moment... Sad days for Marco. I am keeping myself happy in other ways. I purchased a new Mountain Bike and I have started commuting the 18 miles a day to and from work on it (3 am start time is interesting). I still have my third job, so I am going to surf the coast up here in Washington for the summer.