An Old Friend Is Back

Spring colors in Pacific Beach.

Writer and good friend Ari Marsh is back to California for good. We celebrated with a 2-day surf binge. On Saturday, after my quick and rewarding dawn patrol at CH with Larry, we met in Leucadia around 2 pm for a celebratory surf marathon. Conditions glassed off and we scored good waves at South Reef.

We met in the evening with Nat Young at the Patagonia Store in Cardiff for the slide show; then we closed the evening with Thai food in Encinitas.

On Sunday we started off with another session at CH around 9 am. Two swells crossing from the North and the South made it for shifty conditions and unpredictable sets.

We surfed alone for about 15 minutes before being forced to get out. Ari broke a side fin on a manouvre that didn't quite pan out, but we were motivated to get back on track as soon as possible. After a quick stop in OB, and a new set of fins in our hands, we bolted down to the Cliffs for a second session in head high conditions . We surfed solo for about 45 minutes. The 6' 10" Christenson proved again to be the board of choice in big surf. It is a solid stick, although lacking of much finesse; it shines in gnarly conditions, especially when strong currents, chop and high winds require a strong drive.

It has been a great weekend, filled with waves and lots of sunshine.