December Surf, December Pix




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December Surf, December Pix


All the elements: beach fire, surfers, waves, boats, sun.


No takers for this beach breaker in Ventura County.


Speedy right in Ventura County.

Introduction

Got lots of surf pictures in late December, it was a good month for waves, and a good month for photography. Among the photo shoots in the can are:

  • Beach breaking in Santa Cruz County from December 21st
  • Double overhead at a breakwater in Ventura from December 24th
  • Beach breaking in Ventura County from December 26th

What to Do?

So the issue is this: What are the best ways to use these pix in a few upcoming DogMan columns? Here are a few ideas:

  • The ever-popular photo spread with few words.
  • A comparison of the beach breaks in Santa Cruz and Ventura counties.
  • A discussion of surf created by beach groins and breakwaters.
  • Nuthin' but snap turns and big spray.
  • Heavy surf conditions in December.
  • Maps and directions to all three surf breaks.

Wave Sampler

Just to whet your appetite for these sessions, breaks, and pix, here's a sampler from each of the three:


Crouching under the lip at a Santa Cruz County beach break.

Beach Breaking in Santa Cruz County: December 21, 2004

Low Profile Man (now known as O-Boy) and DM dawn patrolled the frigid beach with sculpted waves and friendly locals. These surfers are ALWAYS happy to see invaders from another break appear just in time to share "their" waves. Seriously, the vibe wasn't bad at all, and DM knows enough to keep the location obscured. If you've ever surfed here you will probably recognize the place. If you are not familiar with the break, these shots won't lead you to it.


Approaching double overhead at this Ventura break.

Double Overhead in Ventura: December 24, 2004

After a rewarding sess at another break, DM cruised this particular spot. It was surprising to find such large powerful waves there, since other local surf haunts weren't nearly so juicy. A hearty crew broke their leashes, ducked under angry walls of white water, dropped into face plants on concave faces, and even made a few.


Tail sliding: dancing with waves at this beach break in Ventura County.

Beach Breaking in Ventura County: December 26, 2004

The day after Christmas. DM endured a chilly windy dawn patrol to go left and right in inconsistent waves. The beach sports a variety of peaks and takeoffs, so the crowd was spread wide and the vibe was mellow. Long boards, short boards, boogie boards all shared the fun. A runout in midbeach made some spectacular shore-pounding wave flares, but no one tried to ride any of these mutants. Got some cool pix too.

Conclusion

If you have an idea about columns to use all these pix, please email the DogMan. Otherwise one of the ideas listed earlier in this column are likely to be enlisted for the chore at hand. And no, there won't be maps and directions to the featured breaks. You can find them for yourself. Remember, the quest is its own reward.

CU Out There,

DogMan


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