Surfing Safari is a Blast

TromboneAl · 08-12-2007, 09:00 PM

Hi guys. Having a great time on my surfing safari -- what a perfect thing to do when early retired. My blog has more pictures.

ronin · 08-12-2007, 09:28 PM

Hey bruddah, your pictures are no working for me!

x
x
x
x

Nords · 08-12-2007, 11:01 PM

They didn't come up for me, either, Ronin, so I did it the hard way:

http://bp1.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/...00/01Mural.jpg

http://bp2.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/.../01AMarina.jpg

http://bp1.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/...irlSurfing.jpg

http://bp0.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/.../02Hammock.jpg

ronin · 08-13-2007, 10:23 AM

I get a "Forbidden" message when clicking your links, Nords. If these are pictures from the blog, then I saw them. Thanks for trying.

ronin · 08-13-2007, 10:35 AM

Al, here's the latest forecast for southern california:

Tuesday the 14th looks similar, small surf most everywhere with the best chance for something even longboardable around south facing breaks. Winds should remain light in the AM, but afternoon onshores could get a bit brisk in some areas. Tide will also be extremely low for early AM sessions. More on the winds here, tides here, and wave heights here.
Wednesday the 15th wind swell is expected to pick up along the coast. This 305-degree, 9-second period surf should help many west facing breaks with waist high surf, perhaps some chest high peaks at times, but anything above waist high will be rare. South facing breaks can expect a little wrap, perhaps knee to waist. Winds should remain light in the AM, but variable and not likely as calm as previous mornings. The tide will also be extremely low right before dawn. More on the winds here, tides here, and wave heights here.
Thursday the 16th it looks like the wind swell will pick up a bit. No southern hemi is due around this time, so the wind swell is the only thing we can count on then. Models today point to a 10-15% increase, but due to the proximity of the wind swell, we'll need to confirm this in our Tuesday report.
Friday the 17th, so far, looks like a wind swell day with waist to chest high peaks for west facing breaks, knee to waist for south facing spots picking up some wrap.
Saturday the 18th this wind swell will likely decline. As mentioned previously though, we'll need to see how this plays out over the next couple of days.
Sunday the 19th, so far, looks small.
Monday the 20th is our next chance at seeing something from the southern hemisphere, but so far, this isn't looking all that great. This is from a storm forming southwest of Chile that should traverse the coastline of South America. These kinds of storms, while pushing surf towards Central America, usually don't work well for us. This one though is sitting far enough off the Chilean coast right now to throw some energy our way. According to this morning's models, this would be angled steep from 160-170 degrees, which immediately eliminates many surf spots in SoCal. The energy would be sporadic with infrequent sets for breaks able to work this angle with max size calculating out to around waist to chest by the looks of things today. Some of this is still based on 48h+ models, so we'll need to see how this progresses over the next few days.

Looks like you might get some waves mid-week through Fri. But not much on tap beyond that for a while. Typical summer doldrums.

p.s. - looks like Hawaii stole our tropical hurricane Flossie. Go get 'em Nords!

Fireup2025 · 08-13-2007, 10:43 AM

Enjoying your blog

Nords · 08-13-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronin

p.s. - looks like Hawaii stole our tropical hurricane Flossie. Go get 'em Nords!

Dude, you can take it back anytime you want.

This storm's track is frighteningly reminiscent of Iniki. Big Island is already signed up for some impressive winds and NWS is trying to spin this almost as much as the storm itself. It's been consistently north of and nastier than what NWS thinks it should be doing. Bottom line is what was supposed to be a wimpy little tropical storm has bulked up into a cat 3 hurricane rampaging through warm ocean like a bull in a china shop with only the tradewinds keeping it from veering further north.

My spouse the meteorologist got a Reserves "stand by" call Sunday morning, took one look at the forecast discussion, and said "Let's go buy groceries, gas, & plywood. Now." She hasn't done that since... well... Iniki. We'll be finishing the rest of the checklist today & tomorrow and then maybe I can think about going surfing.

But hey, Big Island south shore is looking at 8-12 over the next 48 and I'm pretty sure White Plains will be doing the same by Wednesday.

**Khan** · 08-13-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

Dude, you can take it back anytime you want.

This storm's track is frighteningly reminiscent of Iniki. Big Island is already signed up for some impressive winds and NWS is trying to spin this almost as much as the storm itself. It's been consistently north of and nastier than what NWS thinks it should be doing. Bottom line is what was supposed to be a wimpy little tropical storm has bulked up into a cat 3 hurricane rampaging through warm ocean like a bull in a china shop with only the tradewinds keeping it from veering further north.

My spouse the meteorologist got a Reserves "stand by" call Sunday morning, took one look at the forecast discussion, and said "Let's go buy groceries, gas, & plywood. Now." She hasn't done that since... well... Iniki. We'll be finishing the rest of the checklist today & tomorrow and then maybe I can think about going surfing.

But hey, Big Island south shore is looking at 8-12 over the next 48 and I'm pretty sure White Plains will be doing the same by Wednesday.

Category 4.

Tropical Storm: Tracking Map : Weather Underground

lazygood4nothinbum · 08-13-2007, 01:35 PM

can't see pics and nord's links don't work. stop teasing me.

ps nords track doesn't look too bad www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tc_graphics/2007/graphics/EP092007W.201.gif

i'm always impressed with relative accuracy of noaa forecasts though of course you can never really tell till it gets there or not. i notice forecast for weakening due to colder waters around hawaii. offshore here water very shallow so stays warm and of course storms get to cross the gulfstream or come up the gulf to gather strength on the way. i hadn't realized before that hawaiian waters were so chilly.

TexasGal · 08-13-2007, 01:48 PM

I am having a great time on your vacation! Since I am taking care of a sick parent and can't even think about a trip, vicarious enjoyment is about all I have! Like others here, I can't see any pictures that are posted on the forum but am really enjoying the blog!

Tex

happy2bretired · 08-13-2007, 02:15 PM

Very nice blog and I too am enjoying your vacation! Ummm...nice legs.

Al's Blog link

happy2bretired · 08-13-2007, 02:20 PM

Trying again.

TromboneAl · 08-13-2007, 03:01 PM

Sorry about the pics. Here are some as attachments:

TromboneAl · 08-13-2007, 03:06 PM

I'm in a coffee shop in Aptos, and I just got off Skype talking with DW and DD in Sweden! Wild, huh?

Thanks for the swell summary Ronin! Tide was super low this morning, and I was getting snagged by the kelp regularly. But I had some fun rides in the smallest waves I've ever been in.

Just updated the blog and I'm on my way to Pismo Beach now. Just got the low battery notification. CU!

bright eyed · 08-13-2007, 03:17 PM

hey t-al sure looks like fun! why the motel 6 in san diego? i just stayed at a double tree in berkeley for $65 bucks! don't forget priceline! i've done reservations on there the day of the trip...

enjoy...

Medit8 · 08-14-2007, 01:10 AM

Great blog, Al. Keep the stories and the pictures coming. I probably missed the "swedish connection" story somewhere, but that's my home country (born, not currently living)

TromboneAl · 08-14-2007, 08:02 PM

In Santa Barbara now, in the library. Man, I've got to slow down! I'm getting worn out. I posted yesterday's stuff, and I'll have to trek back to the car and get the laptop charger before I post more stuff from today.

One disadvantage of a trip is that you can't always take a nap when you want to. Life is tough, huh?

Another disadvantage is every time you need something, you have to dig for it in the car.

04100LookingInTrunk.jpg

Sandy · 08-14-2007, 08:30 PM

looks like lots of fun. good, ah hem, views there AL.

caracol7 · 08-14-2007, 10:25 PM

Al -

Your trip sounds like a blast. I did a mini-safari last spring from San Diego up to San Clemente. Lots of good longboard spots in between there. I'll be glad to give you some suggestions of surf spots, taco stands, surf shops, etc., that you might want to visit in that stretch. I'd love to head over to San-O to surf with you for a day but my w*rk schedule won't allow it. Catch one for me.

Orchidflower · 08-15-2007, 07:13 AM

Camping is not my thing, but your trip looks great...and I am jealous.
I, particularly, got a kick out of the raccoon photo. Cool!
Great blog and really interesting to read. Thanks for sharing.

08-12-2007, 09:00 PM	#1
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,168	Surfing Safari is a Blast Hi guys. Having a great time on my surfing safari -- what a perfect thing to do when early retired. My blog has more pictures. __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

08-12-2007, 09:28 PM	#2
ronin Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 442	Hey bruddah, your pictures are no working for me! x x x x __________________ a surfer who hasn't wised up to the importance of hard shoes....

08-12-2007, 11:01 PM	#3
Nords Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oahu Posts: 15,751	They didn't come up for me, either, Ronin, so I did it the hard way: http://bp1.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/...00/01Mural.jpg http://bp2.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/.../01AMarina.jpg http://bp1.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/...irlSurfing.jpg http://bp0.blogger.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/.../02Hammock.jpg __________________ * * For more info see "About Me" in my profile.

08-13-2007, 10:23 AM	#4
ronin Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 442	I get a "Forbidden" message when clicking your links, Nords. If these are pictures from the blog, then I saw them. Thanks for trying. __________________ a surfer who hasn't wised up to the importance of hard shoes....

08-13-2007, 10:35 AM	#5
ronin Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 442	so cal forecast Al, here's the latest forecast for southern california: Tuesday the 14th looks similar, small surf most everywhere with the best chance for something even longboardable around south facing breaks. Winds should remain light in the AM, but afternoon onshores could get a bit brisk in some areas. Tide will also be extremely low for early AM sessions. More on the winds here, tides here, and wave heights here. Wednesday the 15th wind swell is expected to pick up along the coast. This 305-degree, 9-second period surf should help many west facing breaks with waist high surf, perhaps some chest high peaks at times, but anything above waist high will be rare. South facing breaks can expect a little wrap, perhaps knee to waist. Winds should remain light in the AM, but variable and not likely as calm as previous mornings. The tide will also be extremely low right before dawn. More on the winds here, tides here, and wave heights here. Thursday the 16th it looks like the wind swell will pick up a bit. No southern hemi is due around this time, so the wind swell is the only thing we can count on then. Models today point to a 10-15% increase, but due to the proximity of the wind swell, we'll need to confirm this in our Tuesday report. Friday the 17th, so far, looks like a wind swell day with waist to chest high peaks for west facing breaks, knee to waist for south facing spots picking up some wrap. Saturday the 18th this wind swell will likely decline. As mentioned previously though, we'll need to see how this plays out over the next couple of days. Sunday the 19th, so far, looks small. Monday the 20th is our next chance at seeing something from the southern hemisphere, but so far, this isn't looking all that great. This is from a storm forming southwest of Chile that should traverse the coastline of South America. These kinds of storms, while pushing surf towards Central America, usually don't work well for us. This one though is sitting far enough off the Chilean coast right now to throw some energy our way. According to this morning's models, this would be angled steep from 160-170 degrees, which immediately eliminates many surf spots in SoCal. The energy would be sporadic with infrequent sets for breaks able to work this angle with max size calculating out to around waist to chest by the looks of things today. Some of this is still based on 48h+ models, so we'll need to see how this progresses over the next few days. Looks like you might get some waves mid-week through Fri. But not much on tap beyond that for a while. Typical summer doldrums. p.s. - looks like Hawaii stole our tropical hurricane Flossie. Go get 'em Nords! __________________ a surfer who hasn't wised up to the importance of hard shoes....

08-13-2007, 10:43 AM	#6
Fireup2025 Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 644	Enjoying your blog __________________ Make no mistake, my friend, it takes more than money to make men rich. - A. P. Gouthey

08-13-2007, 01:35 PM	#9
lazygood4nothinbum Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,789	can't see pics and nord's links don't work. stop teasing me. ps nords track doesn't look too bad www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tc_graphics/2007/graphics/EP092007W.201.gif i'm always impressed with relative accuracy of noaa forecasts though of course you can never really tell till it gets there or not. i notice forecast for weakening due to colder waters around hawaii. offshore here water very shallow so stays warm and of course storms get to cross the gulfstream or come up the gulf to gather strength on the way. i hadn't realized before that hawaiian waters were so chilly. __________________ "off with their heads"~~dr. joseph-ignace guillotin "life should begin with age and its privileges and accumulations, and end with youth and its capacity to splendidly enjoy such advantages."~~mark twain - letter to edward kimmitt 1901 Last edited by lazygood4nothinbum; 08-13-2007 at 01:43 PM.

08-13-2007, 01:48 PM	#10
TexasGal Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 230	I am having a great time on your vacation! Since I am taking care of a sick parent and can't even think about a trip, vicarious enjoyment is about all I have! Like others here, I can't see any pictures that are posted on the forum but am really enjoying the blog! Tex

08-13-2007, 02:15 PM	#11
happy2bretired Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 482	Very nice blog and I too am enjoying your vacation! Ummm...nice legs. Al's Blog link

08-13-2007, 02:20 PM	#12
happy2bretired Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 482	Trying again.

08-13-2007, 03:06 PM	#14
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,168	I'm in a coffee shop in Aptos, and I just got off Skype talking with DW and DD in Sweden! Wild, huh? Thanks for the swell summary Ronin! Tide was super low this morning, and I was getting snagged by the kelp regularly. But I had some fun rides in the smallest waves I've ever been in. Just updated the blog and I'm on my way to Pismo Beach now. Just got the low battery notification. CU! __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

08-13-2007, 03:17 PM	#15
bright eyed Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,584	hey t-al sure looks like fun! why the motel 6 in san diego? i just stayed at a double tree in berkeley for $65 bucks! don't forget priceline! i've done reservations on there the day of the trip... enjoy... __________________ If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...

08-14-2007, 01:10 AM	#16
Medit8 Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 87	Great blog, Al. Keep the stories and the pictures coming. I probably missed the "swedish connection" story somewhere, but that's my home country (born, not currently living)

08-14-2007, 08:02 PM	#17
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,168	In Santa Barbara now, in the library. Man, I've got to slow down! I'm getting worn out. I posted yesterday's stuff, and I'll have to trek back to the car and get the laptop charger before I post more stuff from today. One disadvantage of a trip is that you can't always take a nap when you want to. Life is tough, huh? Another disadvantage is every time you need something, you have to dig for it in the car. 04100LookingInTrunk.jpg __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

08-14-2007, 08:30 PM	#18
Sandy Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 856	looks like lots of fun. good, ah hem, views there AL. __________________ I would not have anyone adopt my mode of living...but I would have each one be very careful to find out and pursue his own way, and not his father's or his mother's or his neighbor's instead. Thoreau, Walden

08-14-2007, 10:25 PM	#19
caracol7 Dryer sheet wannabe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10	Al - Your trip sounds like a blast. I did a mini-safari last spring from San Diego up to San Clemente. Lots of good longboard spots in between there. I'll be glad to give you some suggestions of surf spots, taco stands, surf shops, etc., that you might want to visit in that stretch. I'd love to head over to San-O to surf with you for a day but my w*rk schedule won't allow it. Catch one for me.

08-15-2007, 07:13 AM	#20
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,005	Camping is not my thing, but your trip looks great...and I am jealous. I, particularly, got a kick out of the raccoon photo. Cool! Great blog and really interesting to read. Thanks for sharing.