Dawn to Dusk, Border to Border
DogMan's LinksDawn to Dusk, Border to Border
The lay of the land. Introduction
Here's an idea for a DogMan surf adventure:
Spend an entire day, from before sunrise until after sunset, traveling from one end of the Santa Cruz County coast line to the other end. Record the surf action in words, pictures, and videos at "each and every" break along the way. Use this experience and raw material to create multiple DogMan columns for use on Pacificwaverider.
The ultimate goal is an article worthy of publication in a surf magazine such as TSJ.
Why Tell You?
So why write about an event that has not yet occurred? Well, the idea itself sounds like a good topic for a DogMan column; that's always welcome. Planning for the trek was cause enough to write these notes, which then required only minor editing to become a DogMan Chronicles column.
Further, it's interesting to get readers' emails about the plan. What do you think? Is there anything you can add? Do you want to make the trek with DogMan and surf "each and every" break along the way? Are there items you want to see? Things you don't want to see?
The Magic Day
To make this a worthwhile endeavor, there's certain requirements for the day:
On Call
It's necessary to keep an eye on the long-range weather and swell forecasts. Much like a surf contest, this will require some advance warning to make it happen. As a potentially magic day approaches, one must plan to be available just in case..... It's also possible to misfire, and hit the road only to find the magic day didn't deliver.
Equipment
So what to pack for the trek? Have to bring the surfboard and wetsuit. A day as good as this deserves to have some water time. Part of reporting the action is to be a party to the action; first hand accounts are the most visceral.
Beyond the surf toys, this trek will require a log book and several pencils for the recording of the accounts, impressions and interviews. Going to need a solid surfmobile for the transport, with a good car heater and a full tank of gas. Lots of clothes that work in many different layers will be a good idea, as will sunglasses and a hat. Must take some munchies and water. Might want a few surf magazines to fill the boredom of the empty minutes.
Finally, better take some cash and a cellphone.
Route
Should the trek start at the south end of the county and proceed north? Or should it be north to south? A few considerations influence the decision, but the best overall choice is north to south. The north county offers the best view of the sunrise; the south end features acceptable sunsets.
The north county is home to the "hellman" breaks that epic surf will show to best advantage. This wild and wooly environment surfs and photographs well in the early morning hours. Later in the day the prevailing northwest winds commonly descend upon the area, ruining it for board riders while the kite surfers and wind surfers rejoice.
Tide and weather management might change this plan; it's even possible a disjointed path could be in the works. Higher tides work well at the north end of the county, lower tides work better in the town of Santa Cruz. South county can be surfable over a wide range of tides.
But the plan with priority is this: dawn in the north, mid-day in town, and sunset in the south.
That's the Plan, What's the Outcome?
The basic outline is done, the planning can now consider possible windows of opportunity. Execution is key! But what shape will the finished outputs assume?
Much of the outcome will be determined by the raw materials collected on the trek itself. For example, if the magic day offers a killer sunrise and an awesome sunset, then those will be featured prominently in the columns. If there's lots of photo opps of wipeouts, then a column dedicated to that might be in order.
The articles and features will illustrate and describe the large number and wide variety of breaks in Santa Cruz County. Further, the story of "one day in the life" will be explored, showing the range of surfers and surfing on that one magic day.
But there's at least one thing that won't be part of the outcome: a list of breaks with maps and directions. It's never been DogMan's mission to be MapQuest for Santa Cruz surf. If you want that information, you can find it on your own.
Conclusion
When it all comes together as planned, the story of that magic day will tell itself, dawn to dusk, border to border. It will only be necessary to lay it on the page in the correct order, with the appropriate comments, and the right attitude. The magic day will be the draw, not DogMan's pix or words.
So whatcha' think? A worthwhile adventure? Anything to add or modify? Looking forward to it? Or will you send some flames this way?
CU Out There,
DogMan
Email DogMan |
