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When:
Where:
Weather:
Water:
Winds:
Surf:
Tides:
Who: |
Sat-Sun,
03/01-02/03
Delaware coastline
Low 40s highs, some sun
37F, current running
in the water
Some strong offshores
3-6' and pitching, undertow,
E/SE
High
Todd, Kirk, Neal; Paul |
| The Kirk Mantay Report,
"Where Orcas Dare."
Surfed Cape Henlopen jetties with Todd, Neal. Surf was 3-6' and jacking
up on the outgoing tide (7:30 was actually high tide - 7:35am DE/ 6:40am
OC). Picked off some nice rides but the surf was really inconsistent, varying
from 20 minute flat periods to head-high sets of 6 coming in all at once,
all peaking at different spots. Drops were critical and we all made some,
missed some, and got PUMMELED on others. Undertow was nasty, 37 degree
water didn't help either. Swell was a little fishy--was supposed to be
E but really looked like SE jacking up closeouts with occasional unconnected
NE closeout bowls in-between the jetties. Other surfers came out to join
us, got drilled a few times, and paddled back in and called it a day. Overall
a fun "working" session; Neal and I discussed the differential b/w today's
conditions (i.e., consequences for missing the drop) and those a month
from Sunday, when we'll be surfing 4-8' consistent/predictable reef break
in 78 degree water. Todd is continuing to figure out the "wiring" of his
7'2"; he is going to be shredding on it by the time boardshort weather
hits...
weekday warrior (previous
3 sessions on weekends)
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| The Foonbunker Midtown
OC Report for Saturday:
Got a late start on errands and chores so I didn't head out to do a downtown
check until almost 3:00 pm. I pulled out onto the dune road at 48th St.
to watch a headhigh peeler wrap along the entire beach from 51st
- 49th. Not one person was out. The wind was very slight onshore which
did not affect the shape or breaking of the waves. Just before the waves
broke they went completely glassy.
FYI, the Gateway hotel at
48th appears to be in the final stages of being abandoned and emptied for
demolition. The grounds and beach are a wreck with the pool empty and filthy
and beds/mattresses stacked in the hallways. I know the big condo project
planned for the site was voted down, but it looks like something will start
building there soon. 20 or so box trailers are parked on the parking lot
holding I'm sure equipment or building supplies. It looks as though that
area will be a construction site this summer. Fair game for surfers to
park anywhere they want.
Temps went to the mid 40s
with sun peaking out this afternoon. I checked 5 beaches from Midtown up
North and witnessed consistent and very rideable waves with nobody out.
I guess they're all in Costa. :)
Reports as necessary.
Stay Warm.
|
| The Neal Carver Report:
You missed out on some hollow 5 footers today at north shores. I
must admit.... it was freaking cold. Foonie: Ain't nothing like updates
from someone who has season tickets to the best box seats in town. I already
owe you a beach cleanup for the use of your shower, bathroom, vest, beer
and food. Damn, sounds like I moved in. QUESTION? Can I drink
the gin before the clean up starts? :)
Todd, Kirk and I headed out
your way today but never made it that far south. We surfed Henlopen
Hotel. I had a couple of good rides on some shoulder high surf.
The waves were inconsistent but when they decided to come... they came.
I got caught inside a couple times. Flushed allot. Its freaking cold
and unfortunately the cold ended my session after almost two short hours.
Like Foon said the swell was still making its way in during the after noon.
And yes there were several times when it got almost glassy out there.
If it were summer... line up would have been packed. I guess the
chilly temps are keeping the crowds down to the loonies like us.
I would have to give Todd the Will Power award today. He was working
hard at getting his new board wired. Not sure how he kept his sanity
with all the other distractions (thick wetsuit, cold water, strong undertow,
jacking waves). He got trapped inside with me a couple times as well.
I thought he was done, but he turned right around and kept paddling until
he was back out. Hat's off brudda! After our session we hit
NJs for a visual. Two guys out. The cold quickly got me
shivering again so we explored the northern reaches of the park and headed
for home. Not a great day of surfing for me but a fun day to spend
with my cold water buds.
|
The Paul Report - IRI
Saturday. We
surfed NSIRI Saturday late morning into early afternoon. Surf was chest
to head and pretty clean, although somewhat inconsistent except off the
jetty. There were 8 or so shortboarders already on it though, so we moved
down to some of the other peaks. Water was pretty cold and as I was hungover
so my performance suffered. The near shore whitewater was pretty vicious
if you got stuck inside and had to wait
for a lull to try and get
out. All in all, a fun day, but could have been better...
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| The Foonbunker Uptown
OC Report for Sunday: Couldn't
check the surf at dawn today. I couldn't even see the dunes just 50 feet
from the building. The fog was so heavy it was mid morning before I could
make out the shore. It poured rain all morning but the surf seemed
unaffected. The big difference was that where yesterday offered up some
lulls to get out, today the sets were relentless. I counted 13 waves
in a row at one point breaking in about the same spot. The rain made for
some somewhat glassy conditions but the weather made for a miserably cold
and clammy sight. By 1 p.m. the rain had stopped. By 3 p.m. the sun was
out, off and on, and a brisk wind had picked up from the Nwest. Out
back the break went nuts with waist to overhead tubes seemingly cranked
out of a machines. Again, no one out. I can't imagine it being much
better downtown but OC seemed almost deserted this weekend with very few
people in town. I saw one car with a board on it the whole weekend. A lot
of great waves went unridden in OC. We'll be sorry come summer for neglecting
the goodies. |
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