Closer Than You Think

1887

Squeez writes: The other day I was having a leisurely chat with my neighbor – we had thoroughly dissected the local surf scene, discussed our fantasy boards yet again and bemoaned the recent weather as English people always do. The conversation then took a slight swerve when he asked if I’d done much surf travel.

Although by no means could I be considered an accomplished adventurer it turned out that compared to him I’d visited a lot more countries and surfed a few of the known hot spots around the world. He immediately asked where I thought the best place for surf was. It’s a good question and I imagine he was expecting me to rave about Indo or Fiji or Australia. But despite never having really given it much thought before, it took me only a moment or two to come up with an answer.

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unfocused
43 weeks ago

Burro, this resonates with me and I'll tell you why. There's a line out there somewhere that goes like this, "one travels all over the world, just to find what they were actually looking for, was right here at home all along."
something to that effect. and while i've been to Indo, and Mex, and make my annual winter pilgrimage to my beloved island of Maui, I tell you what....there ain't nothin' like some glassy, spit-firin' tubes at my sacred Beach, OB.
there just aint nothin' like it.
Thanks Burro

wrybread
43 weeks ago

I see his point, but can't help but think he's rationalizing a desire to stay home.

For anyone wanting to get inspired to do some hardcore travelling, i'm about halfway through this insanely good travel log of a couple driving through the Congo, total insanity, and very inspiring:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/50799-Democratic-Republic-...

pelicanpaul
43 weeks ago

yep. just back from mexico where the water was 82 degrees and the fish tasty but the waves were pretty small. when you plan a few months ahead it is really a crap shoot. sure there are seasons for better waves, but those seasons seem to often to coincide with good waves up here. I actually enjoy the water temperature around SF... just pretty use to it I guess. no groin rash and scabby knees and no barnacles to pick out of your feet with a pin. you get to know the seasons and get excited when september rolls around and the wind dies down, the waves are clean and over head and the light gets that other-worldly golden hue. we have a pretty awesome spot.

sharkturd
43 weeks ago

@pelipaul, "but those seasons seem to often coincide with waves up here". But now IS the season for good mexican surf while our area surf suffers the summer doldrums. Sorry you got skunked.

pelicanpaul
43 weeks ago

chest to shoulder high and fun but nothing too exciting. had a car so I was able to travel to south exposed spots which was good.

nxnwsurfer
43 weeks ago

This article also resonated with me since I picked up kitesurfing this past spring. Completely rounded out my water time for our usual lackluster spring/summer. Also gives flexibility on balancing family obligations with session times with late afternoon starts (ie let's my wife sleep in while I watch kids). opens up possibilities on travel too. No better place to learn than here in the bay.

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2011/08/video-5-reasons-why-surfers-should...

unfocused
43 weeks ago

Agreed Pelicanpaul. great stuff nxnsurfer.

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