Saturday with the family

[climbbikesurf]

Yesterday was a great day to be out.  It was hot inland so the beach was the call.  I went down to San Onofre (thanks Allan for all the San O advice) early in the morning.  It was my 2 month old daughter's first beach day (and certainly not the last).  She did great!   Luckily we parked next to a big RV group and caught a lot of their shade.  I did figured out that I need to get an E-Z Up for these family trips so I can keep my wife and daughter comfortable.

I had two friends come down to try my boards (his and hers 12' softops with Kialoa Nalu paddles) and they also took over the babysitting duties while my wife and I were in the water.  We only started SUP last year and the last time my wife was in the water was November.  It was also her first time trying SUP with waves and she even caught a wave on her knees!  Luckily yesterday was a knee to waist high day so she was comfortable with the wave size.

The SUP/surf skis guys at San O are really cool.  When I reached the line up, all I heard was laughter from everyone having a good time.  It was such a friendly atmosphere.

Basically, it was a great day.

[HaleiwaBill]

Sounds like the perfect day!

I have said this before but I really do love the good vibes from SUP surfing (aside from crowded line ups but thats another story). The family can do it together and everyone is stoked to see each other and share what we are learning. Reminds of what of what surfing was like in late 60's/ early 70's.

[climbbikesurf]

If I keep meeting the friendly people in the water, I don't even mind the crowded lineups anymore.  Of course where I was at, it was limited to paddle people so we were all a little group of "outcasts"

[Allan Cheateaux]

The SUP/surf skis guys at San O are really cool.  When I reached the line up, all I heard was laughter from everyone having a good time.  It was such a friendly atmosphere.

Basically, it was a great day.

It is really fun down there. The wave ski guys are classic. The only time the vibes go to crap is when someone who doesnt understand why we're all down there paddles into the pack and tries to start jockying for waves. Since we are all stuck in one spot, we share. That doesnt go over to well sometimes. Good thing you caught it on a slow day, its a really fun place to surf.

[climbbikesurf]

It sounds like I lucked out with the good vibe.  I've surfed at Old Mans when a good south swell hits so I know the crowd potential.  Are there other spots further south of the craft beach or in front of the power plant that pop up with a swell?  I can imagine on a good day that spot can get a little crazy.

[Allan Cheateaux]

In front of the plant is the secret spot, that only everyone knows about as well. Look for a macking left to show on winter swells.

You didn't luck out with the vibe, its usually like that. But one bad apple can turn that lineup to crap.