When local knowledge beats the forecast

[Oldie]

Our "local" windswell soup had some good days this winter. This from the last weekend, during which the forecast on MSW was FLAT:

https://magicseaweed.com/news/gallery-the-siberian-bear-rumbles-the-netherlands/10825/

It was a very cold weekend. -2°C plus windchill from the NE - those guys are really hardcore.

[dtc]

I admire them sort of, but it just feels 'wrong'. Like seeing a contortionist. Its amazing that they can do it, but it doesnt seem natural.

Then again, I'm not known for my toughness so there is that

[pmcaero]

I admire them sort of, but it just feels 'wrong'.

what seems wrong? the cold or the shoredump?
Cold water surfing is not harsh if you have the right gear. That shoredump though - you wouldn't catch me in that even on a foamy or sponge.

[dtc]

Well, both, but particularly the temperature. Surfing is a beach sport, beach means sun and warmth. Just because you can put on 15mm and hoods and so forth doesnt make it right!

This may be an Australian centric point of view

[Oldie]

beach means sun and warmth. ...This may be an Australian centric point of view

Yeah it is. You are far to spoiled.

[jaffa1949]

Our "local" windswell soup had some good days this winter. This from the last weekend, during which the forecast on MSW was FLAT:

https://magicseaweed.com/news/gallery-the-siberian-bear-rumbles-the-netherlands/10825/

It was a very cold weekend. -2°C plus windchill from the NE - those guys are really hardcore.

Freezjans?

[RinkyDink]

Our "local" windswell soup had some good days this winter. This from the last weekend, during which the forecast on MSW was FLAT:

https://magicseaweed.com/news/gallery-the-siberian-bear-rumbles-the-netherlands/10825/

It was a very cold weekend. -2°C plus windchill from the NE - those guys are really hardcore.

I know my surf spots really well. I actually like when the surf forecast says there are poor conditions because it is often not true. I've had some of my best waves during "poor" or "flat" conditions. I see those forecasts as golden opportunities to get a surf spot without a crowd. It helps if there's no live cam. I also know that some spots look terrible on the cam when the winds kick up, but the cove around the corner is often protected from those winds and things can be firing there. The trick is to know your patch of coastline and how it responds to low/high tide, wind, morning/afternoon/evening conditions. Local knowledge is the key to getting away from the pack. It also helps if you're not picky. I'm still enough of a beginner where I'll go out in surf that some of my surfing friends don't consider worth their time. Increasingly though, there are times I skip the surf because it's just not worth putting on the wetsuit, booties, etc. and then having to rinse it all off afterwards. If I lived in Hawaii or the tropics I'd probably surf more, but I'd probably be fighting the crowd more often.