Mid afternoon swim...

[SoCal WaterSpout]

Bought a $25 boogie board last week so I can get a jump start in trying out my new wetsuit... Got out of work early today, and took a drive down to the beach. Ocean temp is a cool 58 degrees.

My new wetsuit is the COOLEST thing on the market today. Despite the frigid ocean temp, I could have stayed in the water all afternoon. The only time I got cold was when I took the damn thing off after I was done. Whoever invented these gets a thumbs up in my book.

The waves were 3-4 foot, nothing too spectacular, but I had a great time. Took a couple of headers in the sand by catching waves that were too close to the beach. Paddling out is a bitch, even in small surf. My other gripe is that sea water tastes like xxxxx. I almost threw up right in the water. Got a mouthful a couple of times.

Just looking forward to starting my surfing lessons next Saturday!

[tomcat360]

58 is frigid?!?

I gotta admit, it's cold out there on the west coast in the summer, but it seems warm in the winter! We've had a VERY warm winter so far, and it's about 47ish.

And very warm, nobody up and down the coast has had snow (dusting in NH) and none of the ski slopes are looking decent.

[SoCal WaterSpout]

True, 58 isn't that bad, but had I not been wearing a wetsuit, I would have stayed in the water maybe 5 minutes before wanting to get out. My point is, and I'm sure most if not everybody on this board is aware of this too, these wetsuits rock!!!

[tomcat360]

Oh yeah, without a doubt you still need a wesuit! How cold is the water around you in January and Feburary?

[mostyn]

47, luxury.

[tomcat360]

yeah, I'm imaging ya'll have to break ice to get in over there across the pond? We are a whole lot farther south than ya'll.

[surferdude_scarborough]

yeah man is about 9 degrees C here (48F) n its not anywhere near as cold as its going to be

[justloafing]

My other gripe is that sea water tastes like xxxxx. I almost threw up right in the water. Got a mouthful a couple of times.

You will learn to love it.

One day when you don't live at the ocean (Hope that never happens to you) you will regret the day you can't get the taste of saltwater. It happened to me for 2 years and I could not stand it.

[isaluteyou]

Paddling out is a bitch, even in small surf.

if you are ot using swim fins then get some

[SoCal WaterSpout]

Yeah, I was thinking about getting some fins. Went out again today and had a blast. Caught a lot more waves. Also got a fat lip. Went nose down into the water as a huge wall of water pummeled me into the seafloor. Did about four summersalts underwater before coming to a halt. Could not get up since the waves were holding me underneath - told myself not to panic, and just sit still under the water until they passed.

To add insult to injury, as I was under the water, trying to keep calm, my board came around and hit me flat in the mouth, ,giving me a bloody lip.

Finally was able to resurface, then swam out to do it all again...


:

[tomcat360]

I was wrong earlier--the water temp earlier in the week was around 45

[northswell]

Oooh get you TC, bet my waters colder than yours, ne ne ne nene.
Just joking with you man have a good one dude n wrap up warm if you get in for a new year one.

[tomcat360]

Yeah, ya'll win, because I'm done for the year (the season, not the next 4 hours). The surf has been crap(like summer time crap) and the water too cold....really can't see a point. Plus, I don't feel like popping out another 300 bucks for a hooded suit.

So it's skis for me for a while.