The Conditions Are Poor

WNW winds today... the Cox Bay parking lot was empty, so I didn't even bother checking. I went straight to Long Beach... and, when I pulled into a parking spot at Incinerator, Ralph et al were standing and staring at the surf. I walked up, said hi, glanced and the surf, said "whatever," and went back to my car. "Are you going out in this?" Simon asked.

"Yeah, what else am I going to do, stand here and watch?"

I've learnt that standing with people like that kills my stoke... so I had to go... that, and it gets dark early enough that I had o hurry. I've recently realized that I've given up a whole lot to be out here... which means I had better make the best of it... every day. I got suited up... waxed the Bluepath, and went straight in.

"Have fun. We'll take pictures."

Whatever.

I was having an okay time... and then all three of them came out, one by one. Ralph kept saying "The conditions are poor!" over and over again. I was getting a little annoyed... what was he doing out if the conditions were so poor? Later on, I understood that this was meant to take the pressure off his beginner friend... to let her know that she can't catch a wave because the conditions we poor, not because she just can't catch a wave.

Except the conditions really weren't poor. I got a few good rides, and would have had a few more good rides if I had been more focused. I didn't get any new injuries today... didn't get hit in the head, didn't chip any teeth. And Sam was out... so now I know that he is not always the harbinger of surf injuries. My neck is still recovering from yesterday's whack in the head... which reminds me... I should check the Bluepath for skull dings.