The seaside village is located at the north-eastern point of the great curving coastline of the Monterey Bay. In this spot, the village is sheltered from the prevailing northwest winds and swells of the greater Santa Cruz area. There's a compact beach fronting the village; it is not a surprise this beach is one of the safest in the bay.

At the east end of the beach is a small rock groin, and this creates a surf break in its wake. As a distinct contrast to the better known Steamer Lane, this break offers shin slamming and knee knocking waves. A hardy crew of SUV-driving middle aged men paddle out on 10-foot longboards, and sit in the lineup socializing. Occasionally one of them rides a leisurely 3 footer toward the shore.

In the summer, kids play with body boards in the small shorebreak, and dogs frolic on the beach. It's a mellow family scene for the most part. For the most part. Almost always. Except for once in a great while.

The freakishly large west swells of February pounded this seaside village; well, at least relatively speaking. While the west-side breaks were double-overhead, and the out-of-town breaks were out of control, the village break was overhead plus. And quite surfable in the bargain. So, DogLand came to the seaside village. Parking meters and all. Large SUV's and all. Longboards a plenty. And maybe some pollution in the water from the rainy season runoff. But the waves?

Was it worth the resulting sinus infection? You bet! Was it worth hanging with SUV-longboarding-middle-aged walruses? You bet! Were the waves fun? You bet! Will it ever happen again? Uh... maybe. See you next time we experience a mondo out-of-control westerly swell. And let's hope for less pollution floating in the water.

What a wonderful wave season we have had so far this winter. Let's hope it continues to fuel the stoke!

CU Out There,

DogMan