It’s been a record wet spring so far in New England. Storm passed off-shore and generated some nice 5’ swells at 10-11 seconds. Better yet, we had sun and 70 degrees and the water was a “warm” 48 degrees. Wore a 4/3 wetsuit and no neo mitts needed. About a dozen of us skipped school and/or work to take advantage of some nice spring surf.
Had briefly considered using the longboat but decided for the waveski instead. Glad for that choice. Nice clean waves for the ski.
Crazy… There were 6’ swells this AM, which are now down to 4’ swells @ 11 seconds still rolling in. Would have been fun to take out the longboat in the 4’ stuff. But, two mental health days would be pushing it…
Fingers crossed for some longboat stuff this weekend.
Drove by Nantasket today on my way to a flat water put in, and the waves were pumping. Briefly thought about a long boat surf session, but didn’t have the right clothes, and haven’t been in a boat since early last fall. Got my first paddle of the year out of the way anyways.
The warm nor’easter yesterday has been generating surf 50% bigger than what has been projected by swellinfo for past two days. Even now, we still have 6’ plus rolling in. Have to see what is rolling in tomorrow. Might take a vacation day since I have no meetings scheduled. The tide cycle is not optimal for my schedule, with astronomical high tide around 10 AM. Means I can’t get out until noon as the swells will still be slamming into the 'tasket seawall.
I would not mind getting some midweek longboat surf in. Will see.
Took the day off and was excited to get some longboat surf in. Got to the break a hour and half after high tide. Waves were still running in close to the wall but surfable.
Got the wetsuit on and then went for the skirt. At that point, a good reminder why I soured on SINKs and why I sold pretty much all of them… To my consternation (actually I used way more colorful language), I brought everything but the skirt for the boat. A day off, a drive to the break… For naught.
D’oh! I’ve been close to leaving my lifejacket in the car a few times.
If you want an extra Seals 1.4 skirt with a small tunnel, I have one laying around that I need to get rid of. Just stuff it in a hatch of the Delphin and forget it until you need it.
@Johnnysmoke said:
D’oh! I’ve been close to leaving my lifejacket in the car a few times.
If you want an extra Seals 1.4 skirt with a small tunnel, I have one laying around that I need to get rid of. Just stuff it in a hatch of the Delphin and forget it until you need it.
Thanks, great idea. I actually still have a spare skirt from back in the days. Will keep that in the hatch.
@Johnnysmoke said:
Drove by Nantasket today on my way to a flat water put in, and the waves were pumping. Briefly thought about a long boat surf session, but didn’t have the right clothes, and haven’t been in a boat since early last fall. Got my first paddle of the year out of the way anyways.
Looks like we are getting longboat surf conditions - 2-3’ medium period waves - for the entire Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy.
Wow. Pretty cool. Looks like a rotomold waveski. It ain’t for the river! It’ll be heavier but it’s got the sharp rails to carve. Before heading way out there, you should ask about the dimensions and get some pictures of the bottom (to check for intact fin boxes). While the footstraps can be moved to adjust for you, the dimensions are going to determine how challenging of a ride it will be for you as new waveskier.
Good hunting. If it fits, $75 (and a round trip drive) makes that waveski a potential good buy.
It’s a woman on Facebook. There’s a “Kayak surfing New England” Facebook group. About 200 members, probably half a dozen who seem to post about getting out. Seems more “south coast” and RI than anything else.
