Cool little writeup of an OC late winter morning session

[Strand Leper]

John Ashley is the coolest cat.  He is a high school science teacher in OB, Cali.... and founder of Paddlesurf.net.  It was the first blog on paddlesurfing that I found.  A year and a half ago, when I was waiting for my 10'6" Naish to come from Windsurfing Direct... and simultaneously waiting for my first Stand Up from master shaper Roger Hinds (who teased me relentlessly about going to the dark side)... I came across John's site.  I asked him questions... and he RESPONDED... he seemed so stoked about paddlesurfing... and I could not wait to get started...

When a friend took some shots of me a few weeks ago, (getting almost barreled in a micro shack frontside) he posted them on his site... last week, as I was making an early morning escape from trial preparation, my friend shot me again... and John did a cool write-up.

This is a very quick wave breaking over and into very nasty rocks... so it is get in, go, get out... and try not to look foolish doing it.... and maybe try to get in the pit somehow.

We all owe a debt to guys like John, and folks like the administrators of this site... the folks who invested the time early on... and do it for the love.

By the way, John RIPS.


http://www.paddlesurf.net/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=32

[Reid SUP'd]

nice pics! i think the middle barrel pic is def mag worthy!  is that a split eco imagine board? or one pc?

[Strand Leper]

Reid,

First it was a one piece... then, on the January 23, swell, when stuck in the impact zone at my secret spot... on the biggest wave I have seen in OC in a few years, it became a two piece... then I had it put back together again (thanks Adam Cummings)... now it is a one piece.  It is the 8'5" Cutback.  A prototype model I think... It was Corran's old board and I talked him into selling it to me.  Riding it as a quad here.

Thanks on the "mag-worthy" comment.  Brian McGovern is a truly gifted photographer... he really captures the whole moment and not just the "athlete."  His site is at www.Pixareus.com to see more of his magic.

Tim

[Tom English]

John Ashley is a great guy who has some good info on his blog.