Author Topic: Santa Cruz was going off today  (Read 5497 times)

supdiscobay

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Santa Cruz was going off today
« on: January 23, 2015, 10:46:08 PM »
At a about 3pm today, prior to paddling out, we were just hanging around the cliffs above Capitola and figured we would paddle up from the beach there to Privates/Sharks.  We watched for about 20 minutes and only saw chest to head high sets rolling through.  Then this set came up and we knew it would be a great session.  To have waves breaking under the Capitola pier is a rarity.  We stayed out till about 5:30 and came up the stairs as it was getting dark.  The sets were about anywhere from head high to 3-4' overhead.  There were about 10 sup's out.  The waves were fun and the vibe was great. 

The pictures are of the first set of the swell to arrive in Santa Cruz.  We went from oh well this will be a fun day, to holy s**t this is going to be fun.

At around 5:00pm I caught one of the bigger set waves right around Trees, and was driving down the line, when I turned and saw another sup behind me so I was about to kick out and he yelled to stay in.  I turned back in to stay with the wave and went for another great drop, then the wave really jacked up in front and we had a great face to work.  I stayed high knowing he was behind me and we both had one of the best waves of the day.  Not your typical party wave, but we made it work and had a blast talking about it afterword.  When I was driving at the top of the wave, he said he was right under me just following and we were flying.  Not sure if he is on the zone, but if so, thanks for sharing a great wave.
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SUPcheat

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2015, 12:53:59 AM »
It was definitely brisk out there today.  I went up to Sharks about 2:30PM and caught several bouncy but fun inside sets.

Then when the tide went out some I went over to the area outside of Privates to catch some of the deep water sets, got sailed on a wave into Privates proper then to Privates second break where several overheads came in endless sets.  One of those waves carried me to around Trees where there were some more waves coming in to ride.  However, being caught on the inside there around Trees, with the currents, I had a hell of a time getting back to Privates. The sets seemed endless.  I thought I might have to walk the board back because I just kept getting pushed back to Capitola.  I tried once prone paddling, got pushed all the way around 180 degrees by white water, so just stood up to ride it back again past Trees.

 Finally a quiet spell let me paddle back to Privates second break, where some more waves were had.

 I left about 4:45 or so pretty tired. It was a good but unusual day.
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Me: 6'1"@230 lbs 68 years old

surfinJ

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2015, 07:19:09 AM »
That can get scary trapped between the cliffs and the waves, especially at high tides.

Thanks for the pictures discobay!!  For a surfer who has spent 99% of his life at beachbreaks, point breaks remain a bit mythic to me.

Your shots are the stuff of dreams.

supdiscobay

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2015, 07:49:07 AM »
I rode into a few close out sets and paid the price getting caught inside.  The break between sets was huge and it got to the point where I didn't mind taking a few on the head.  Just had to relax and be patient.  Once the tide dropped the backwash of the cliffs was not even noticable.  I prone surfed oxnard shores and silver strand two weekends ago during that nice little swell.  Beach breaks still make me nervous.  Seemed like I was always paddling around to get in the peak.  You never knew when a peak was going to pop up behind you too.  Point breaks are pretty consistent.  It was a great afternoon,  not perfect but very close.
It takes a bit of west in the swell for it to wrap into the bay and hit capitola this way.  That made for some close out sections, that were really fun.  But again, you had pay the fee.  It also made for some very long rides if you could connect sections.
8'5" Starboard Pocket Rocket, 8'0" Kazuma Fugu custom,  8'10" Kings Sidewinder, 10' Starboard Noserider, 14' BARK Carbon Dominator, SIC F16 V3, KeNalu and Quickblade paddles, 19' Eaton Prone, 67" Goode 9700

supthecreek

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2015, 08:22:24 AM »
disco, that looks awesome! I can't believe the lack of crowd for those conditions.... is everybody up at Steamer?

so... did you shoot the pier?

More pics as you get them please... SUP porn always appreciated ;D ;D

Ever SUP with andygere out there? Great guy.... from my hometown on the Cape.

southwesterly

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2015, 09:59:05 AM »
There were a few pre runner sets earlier in the day, but the bulk of the swell hit mid afternoon. It was one of those swells that if you are caught inside, you might as well wait it out because there is no way to push through a 15 wave set.

This one is farther up the point.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2015, 10:04:18 AM by southwesterly »

SCruzSUPr

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2015, 10:24:40 AM »
I went out to Privates yesterday morning, came back with my tail between my legs...   Guess I need a few more visits to the gym before I brave DOH again...   :o :o :o
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SUPcheat

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2015, 10:28:41 AM »
Just got back from dawn patrol.  It's still going, but not quite as strong, and a bit tossier this AM.

I had the inside break at Sharks pretty much all to myself because everybody else wanted the outside waves.  I got some vigorous rides, but mostly bouncy survival rides, but fun.  Got hit by a wave so hard I had vertigo for a few seconds, never had that happen before.

The nice thing about the inside break is surfers seldom want it, the rides for me start out white water a lot of the time.  The bad thing about the inside break is that it is inside with all that implies:  too much exhausting white water practice trying to get back out past the endless pound.
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SCruzSUPr

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2015, 10:53:34 AM »
Cheat

You're a tougher man than I am...  ;D
10' x 32"        Bill Foote  Triton
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SUPcheat

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2015, 02:48:26 PM »
Cheat

You're a tougher man than I am...  ;D

Gee, thanks, Paul.  I think that's the only time in my life anybody called me any variation of tough.  Persistent, maybe, but tough (???)?

I think more along the lines of whimpering and weeping, lashed to the bow of Pono's racing board as he cackles down a Maliko Run.
2013 Fanatic Prowave LTD 9'3"x30.5x@134L
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Sunova Flow 8'7"x30.25"@121L
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Me: 6'1"@230 lbs 68 years old

SCruzSUPr

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2015, 05:45:47 PM »

I think more along the lines of whimpering and weeping, lashed to the bow of Pono's racing board as he cackles down a Maliko Run.
Now, now, Cheat

That is an image I didn't need...   ;D ;D ;D

Do your penance and post on HCOSUPB...
10' x 32"        Bill Foote  Triton
9'5" x 31"       Sunova Speeed
11'2" x 32"     Bill Foote 'Geezer Sled'

supdiscobay

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2015, 07:13:12 PM »
Creek,
No shooting the pier. When a set that big comes in we are to far north to paddle over.
Andy is a great guy. I have met him at the Jay Race the last few years. Haven't surfed with him though. I love the wood boards he has built.
I made it a point to bring my camera this time, as i too like to see pics on the zone. just not 20 shots of the same board. :)
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headmount

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2015, 08:37:13 PM »
Wow Disco those pics are outasight!  as well as your story about the wave.  The other day I did go-behinds with Bill Foote on a wave.  Just be on the same page, for us the guy in front goes off the top with cut back as the guy behind passes with a bottom turns and repeat.  Sometimes the section will race and you both have to drive until you start again.  Really the key is looking back to see the other guy.  So many guys get tunnel vision and don't look, especially the guy in front who may be feeling guilty but you can both share the good part of the wave if you work together.  I got into it many years ago surfing with Gerry, who made it easy because you knew he wouldn't be there when you cut back.  Of course in those days we were on Ferraris but it is still possible on a SUB.

Swell is still huge here but front went by and N onshore winds have pounded it into a mess.  Love the conditions in that pic.

SUPcheat

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2015, 11:14:56 PM »
It's not common to see the waves rolling in at Capitola pier and Capitola beach proper as they are in the photo.  They sure look purty, wish that would happen more often.
2013 Fanatic Prowave LTD 9'3"x30.5x@134L
Sunova Speeed 8'10"x29.12@131L
Sunova Flow 8'7"x30.25"@121L
Carbon 9.3x32@163L Hammer
Me: 6'1"@230 lbs 68 years old

southwesterly

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Re: Santa Cruz was going off today
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2015, 06:14:11 PM »
L41 Reality check.
Photo by Gary Niblock.

 


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