Just arrived back from an amazing 3 week trip to California! I had an amazing time and actually scored some pumping waves. I stayed in Oceanside as usual and was pretty lazy, sticking to surfing the pier most of the time.
Upon arrival I was stoked to find out the water temp was 22 degrees C! And, as the airline I flew with really helpfully lost my boards and wetsuits for a few days. So I was stuck surfing a borrowed board from Oliver at Watermark Surfboards in my boardies until my bag finally arrived.
I had with me a 6'0 Logo Pro, a 5'10 Super Star and a 5'11 Puravida Epoxy. The water was so warm at the beginning of my trip I bounced between board shorts and the NOVA 3.2 shortie but it definitely cooled down towards the end, even a few surfs getting chilly in my full 3.2! However, waves pumped the whole trip and the weather was perfect so absolutely no complaints.
I even managed to make a trip up north to Pismo Beach, CA. Billabong were running a contest called Still Frothy at the pier there and kindly allowed me to enter! I had a bit of a shocker, getting knocked out first round :( but seeing the likes of CJ Hopgood and Josh Kerr shredding around the contest site made the loss a bit easier to handle.
California is always such a good place to get training done; surfing, running, gym, burrito eating. It's all so accessible in so cal. The standard of surfing in the water every session is so high, so you're constantly getting pushed each time you surf. I should become a sales rep for Visit California haha, but it really is that good.
My goal whilst I was out there was to work on my aerials. I had 3 weeks to focus on improving my technique in the air. I was trying to work on three key things: Rotation, Keeping my weight over my board and projecting towards the beach. I feel like I'm able to do 2 of these things at any one time but not the key third one! I'm sure I'll get there and I for sure made progress practicing out in cali...I just need more ramps now.
As you can probably tell, I had an amazing trip. I ate my weight in dirty fries and sushi and surfed a sh*t load. I can't wait to go back! Contest this weekend and then I'm off to Thurso, Scotland next week for a trip with my dad and a few of the boys so keep your eyes peeled for clips and shots!! Praying for waves :P
Till next time.