US barrier island: Cumberland Island, Georgia

[oldmansurfer]

Sometimes I get the feeling that some of these save our lands groups is about saving the lands for the regulars who have been visiting this property in historical past rather than saving it for everyone. Kind of like localism in surfing. Save our break so we can surf it not all the outsiders.

[billie_morini]

Ol’ Man,

I’ve seen the sort of thing you are talking about. I can assure you it’s different with the Gaviota Coast.

First off, we are talking about 40 miles of coastline with the Gaviota Coast. This coastline is the last undeveloped coastline in SoCAL. It’s pristine and nearly untouched. There’s one specific beach where seals continue to birth young every year. There’s a specific cliff where the pelicans hang out. There’s another cliff that is a swallow nesting site. Every year there are hundreds of nests and the air is filled with swoops and twitters. There are several specific rocky points exposed at low tide where the large shore birds congregate. There’s specific beach paths used by coyotes every morning. There’s one shallow off-shore area where the same sea lions have lived for a very long time. They are always curious about my dog and will follow us along the beach in 3 feet deep water. There are two specific beaches at opposite ends of the Gaviota Coast in which the endangered snowy plover nest. There's a location where the by-the-wind sailors congregate. Then there’s the pièce de résistance: the shallow water between the kelp beds and land that the mother gray whales annually escort their babies through to protect them from the Channel’s Orca pod.

The primary thing that allows this natural wonderland to persist is the lack of development. The lack of development is the result of the efforts of no less than 4 local grass roots groups. They’re not surfing organizations. They are nature lovers, of which, there are some surfers. What's being protected are all the things summarized above. Preservation of the semi-secret and secret surf breaks is simply a happy accident.

So, I hope you can see with the Gaviota Coast we’re talking about preserving a narrow, yet long coastline as compared to a single surfing break.

best always,
billie

[oldmansurfer]

I am just saying from what I read I don't get the impression that anyone wants to save it so that others can enjoy it other than you. It's just an impression no biggie.

[Onelove]

If you are looking for something not terribly overdeveloped in NE Florida Fort George Island is a kind of hillbilly but unique spot. It butts up to one of Florida’s best longboard waves (Hugenot Park aka north jetty, and a great point break is nearby. Also, across the river with a quick ferry ride you get to the Mayport poles which is NE Florida’s absolute premier spot and makes NE swells awesome with wind protection. That also places you right at the Jax beaches proper near surf scene and shops.

It is also 10 minutes from I—95. I would consider that area if I wasn’t tied here currently and plotting an eventual move to Costa Rica.

SSI would not be good for your surfing livelihood.

[PunaTuna]

If you are looking for something not terribly overdeveloped in NE Florida Fort George Island is a kind of hillbilly but unique spot. It butts up to one of Florida’s best longboard waves (Hugenot Park aka north jetty, and a great point break is nearby. Also, across the river with a quick ferry ride you get to the Mayport poles which is NE Florida’s absolute premier spot and makes NE swells awesome with wind protection. That also places you right at the Jax beaches proper near surf scene and shops.

It is also 10 minutes from I—95. I would consider that area if I wasn’t tied here currently and plotting an eventual move to Costa Rica.

That’s funny, I lived the NE Florida’s gulf coast for 40 years and have never seen a swell lol. But it does have the worlds whitest beaches. We call that neck of the woods the redneck riviera. Being on this lava rock a few years makes you appreciate sand.
SSI would not be good for your surfing livelihood.

[Maggie]

A move to St.Simons island would be a move to big city. The island has reached overcrowded status. The traffic is awful, there is a push for a second causeway. Parking for the beach is limited. Most Beach access is controlled by homeowners who turn accesses into part of their yard. Sadly it is nothing but grumpy busybodies trying to control everything. Come take a look if you want to see a mess.

[billie_morini]

Maggie and Onelove,
your notes are greatly appreciated. One draw to SSI is family that live there. But, the picture painted by you surely sounds like something that would make me nuts. I've started learning about the Fort George Island area because of your notes. I would not have thought to look there without the suggestion.

There's a property with small house in Stumpy Point, NC, (Dare County) that has caught my attention. Most things sound perfect, but I'm not sure the annual quantity of hurricanes is something I want to cope with. It's not the danger of these storms that bothers me, it's the very real potential for property damage. That's a bottom line cost hitting a fixed retirement income.

thanks,
billie

[billie_morini]

Maggie and Onelove, I see a property in Mayport, FL that is very intersting to me. I'd never have looked there without the dialogue we've shared here. The property is south across the St. John's River from the good longboard break at Hugenot Park and a few miles northwest of Poles. Hope to phone a realtor tomorrow.