B-Town Surf !

Guest Blog Post By "The Mormon"

B-Town Surf — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:26:18 GMT

Here's "The Mormon's" thoughts on last week's Bertha Swell, teaching a co-worker to surf and breakfast. The Mormon has written a few guest blog posts in the past and entries from others are always welcome here on B-Town Surf!. If you feel the need have something (blog entries, advertisements, announcements, etc.....just try to keep it somewhat water relevant) posted on the site, just send to me at b-townsurf@hotmail.com As long as it's not too, too over the top, I'll post it.

And now...The Mormon!

"With Bertha now long gone, I can sit back and reflect on a fine week of surfing. It was so nice to drive a mere 15 minutes and catch some waves at Nantasket Beach in the summer. The journey begins last Monday night when Ando and I met Corporate Jack, his son and nephews for a session. Ando detailed that session in a previous post, but let me say this, it was a great session.

On Tuesday morning, my brother, BOM-mer met me at my place and we headed off. At 1^st we were going to make the trip to the Cape and hit it there. Before we started on that journey, we decided to make a side trip to Nantasket to see if the waves were still good there. Why travel 90 minutes, when you can travel 15! The waves at Nantasket were good, so we paddled out for a nice 2 ½ hour session. Although, there were some annoying swimmers in the break, we managed to have a great time.

After a little nap and some food, BOM-mer and I headed back to Nantasket for a late afternoon session. Ando met us in the line-up and all three of us proceeded to rip it up. I must admit that arms and shoulders were killing me when I finally left the water some 2 ½ hours later. Three sessions in 24 hours really take a lot out of you, especially when there were so many waves to choose!

I couldn’t make Wednesday’s session due to me being totally wiped out from the previous two days. So, I set my eyes on a Friday morning session. My friend Kristen from work once inquired about learning how surf. I said to her that she was more than welcome to paddle out with me on Friday morning, waves permitting. Before going to bed, the Boston buoy was showing a nice swell all day and night. Things were looking good for the morning.

Rolling out of bed on Friday morning, I checked the Boston buoy and the Nantasket webcam. Both looked great and off to the beach I went. Kristen arrived shortly after I did and kitted up in one of my wetsuits. I brought my longboards with me; Robert August Mark Martinson 10’ single fin (my workhorse) and Robert August Mike Doyle 10’ tri-fin. Kristen looked a bit nervous. I tried to alleviate her nerves by saying “Just have fun. Remember, the great surfer in the world is the one having the most fun”

On the beach I showed Kristen how to wax a surfboard, then it was off to the water. The waves were waist high, super clean and hardly a trace of wind. I left my board on the beach and out into the surf we went. For a good 20 minutes I showed Kristen how to catch a wave. After a few misses, she stood up on a wave. A smile wider than the beach was across her face...she was hooked. When Kristen paddled back out she hollered for me to go get my board.

For the next two hours we had a lot of fun in the water. My form had returned and I was catching some nice rides. Kristen really impressed me, by catching a few nice waves herself. One wave stood out the most though. As I was paddling back to the line-up after a nice ride, I saw a wave outside coming in which was a bit bigger than most. I yelled to Kristen that there was one coming, but she confused it with the one that was almost on her. I honestly thought the wave was going to break right on top of her, which it did. However, she went down the face of the wave (about chest high) holding on for dear life. The look on her face was multifaceted...fear, exhilaration and joy.

As the wave rolled, I thought she was going to get rolled, but she didn’t. Kristen held on and got up for a nice whitewater ride into shore. When she jumped off the board her smile was even bigger than before, she was totally stoked. She now knows what the rest of us surfers know. I was very proud of her, hell she surfed better than I did on my first time out. Welcome to the club Kristen!

After 2 hours in the water, it was time to get some food. We went to the world famous in Massachusetts Newcomb Farms restaurant in Milton for a hearty breakfast. Ok, that was a blatant plug for Newcomb Farms. I know the owner David, who is also on my hockey team. He’s a good defenseman with a hell of a shot, not too mention the food at his restaurants are the best deal for the buck.

Until next time, pray for surf and Aloha!"

The Mormon (right) with Corporate Jack, Turkey Day, 2007 at Nantasket.

*** The Mormon is a avid surfer, hockey player, cyclist and combat vet of Gulf War I. He is employed by a public safety agency on the South Shore, is a college graduate..and an American citizen.

TS Cristobal

B-Town Surf — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:24:22 GMT

TD 3 is now Tropical Storm Cristobal with top winds of 45 mph. Right now, Cristobal is forecast to strengthen as it moves to the N / NE and pass well east of us sometime mid-week. Although we'll miss most the tropical rains, Cristobal should kick up the swell. For more info, click on the link to the National Hurricane Center under "Surf Reports". Pray for surf! Aloha.

More Wave Makers?

B-Town Surf — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:27:06 GMT

While Bertha continues to produce swell for us, another tropical system, TD 3, is now off of the Carolinas and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, possibly as early as later today. There is also another system in the western Caribbean that is not well organized at this time, but has "a strong potential for tropical cyclone formation." This could be a very good week indeed! For more information see the National Hurricane Center's web site NHC

Nantasket Session / "Day At The Beach", 07/16/08

B-Town Surf — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:12:29 GMT

    On Wednesday, I hit Nantasket at about 8:30 am or so, which was early for me because I was out the night before (more about that later), for what turned into a double session. The sets early on were in the waist high range and super clean. As the morning progressed, the swell built into chest to the occasional shoulder high sets. With the air temperature in the 80's, warm water, and virtually no wind, you couldn't ask for a better day. I didn't bring my camera on Wednesday (again, I was out late) so I didn't shoot any surf pictures of pictures of the many "sights" on the beach. My vehicle of the day: The Lopez "Big Wally".

About the night before.......After the stellar Tuesday night session with The Mormon and BOM-mer, The Mormon and I hit J.J. Foley's (downtown) to have a few beers and watch the All Star Game. Well, a few beers turned into watching the whole game and leaving Foley's at closing. This was not conducive for getting up early in the morning. When I rolled out of bed at 7:20 or so to surf, I did think more than than 2x's about just going back to bed, but I checked the cams (from the links on B-Town Surf!), it looked good, so I hit the beach.

After grabbing a coffee and bagel en route, I got to 'tasket, suited up, wolfed down a Power Bar and Gatorade, and then paddled out. My whole body kinda hurt as I was paddling, (note to self: You're getting older, not "old", but older, therefore you probably shouldn't pound beers the night before a morning session) but I knew in my mind that it would be worth it. After my first wave, which I caught with great difficulty, I heard someone yell "hey Ando". When I looked over I realized that it was Warren H. of "Surf 68" fame. Warren was also out in the line-up with John B., also of Surf 68 fame. We chatted for a while, I made excuses for the rather difficult morning I was having, and then we hit the waves again.

   I was really, really sucking ass for about the first 45 minutes or so, which was kinda embarrassing. Anyway, I don't know if it was watching Warren and John (these guys are good!) or what, but I got my jets back and starting catching waves, which was well, good! I was in the water for about 2 hours or so enjoying the swell, but then my arms started turning to rubber, so I decided to sit on the beach for a bit, catch some rays, and of course, check out the sights.

   After about an hour on the beach, the swell really started to pick up, so I paddled back out with 2 other "locals" who made me promise not to mention their names because they were out "sick" (good swell has a tendency to do that) from work. I surfed for about another hour and after being totally spent, called it a day.

   After the beach, I headed down to Nor Easter to have lunch and hang out with Mark for a little while. Mark reminded me that Nor Easter's annual "Midnight Madness Sale" is scheduled for Saturday August 16th (mark your calendars..always a good time!). Tony was also in the shop with his wife, so it was pretty cool to see them too.

    All in all, I've had a great three days of mid summer surfing. Mark also made it point to tell me that yesterday was the 8th straight day of sunny skies, temps in the 80's, and more importantly, ridable surf !! Judging strictly by the cams, today would make day nine. Hopefully Bertha will stay out at sea for little while longer and keep producing ground swell.

    I don't know if I can get out at all this weekend (but I'm gonna try) because of work stuff and Commie's BBQ, but early next week is looking good. A few after work sessions may be in order, or maybe I'll fall "ill" one day next week. Pray for surf!! Until next time, Aloha.

Nantasket Session, 07/15/08

B-Town Surf — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:39:58 GMT

       The swell from Bertha continued today. I got out in the early evening with The Mormon and his bro "The BOM-mer (Brother Of Mormon) down at 'tasket. This was their second session of the day. I couldn't get out this morning because of that whole work thing. The glassy sets were mostly in the thigh to waist range with an occasional (very occasional) chest high wave. The air temp was in the mid 80's at 6:30 pm, water temp in the high 60's. My vehicle of the day, Lopez "Big Wally".



       Bertha is expected to give us swell right through the weekend. For mid July, which is usually the swell doldrums locally, this has been an exceptional few days. Hopefully I'm getting out tomorrow morning with Corporate Jack, early, to avoid the touristas / beach people. Though after surfing, I may hang out and work on my tan and enjoy the sights....Particularly those that are young and female. I'll try to get some pics. Pray for surf! Until next time, Aloha.

Nantasket Session, 07/14/08

B-Town Surf — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:08:40 GMT

The Mormon, Corporate Jack, his son and nephews, and I hit Nantasket today for a late afternoon / early evening session. The waves, courtesy of TS Bertha, were mostly in the thigh to waist high range with an occasional bigger set. You couldn't have asked for a better day weather wise; sunny skies and light winds with temps in the low 80's and a water of close to 70 degrees! Vehicle of the day: Harbour "San O".

Most of the beach crowd was gone by the time we got in the water, but there probably about 80 -100 surfers in the water spread on the length of the beach. All in all a good day, somewhat crowded in the water, but good a day. Today was Jack & son & nephew's 2nd session in as many days. It was also one of his nephew's 2nd time on a surfboard (he started surfing yesterday), but you have known it! He was up riding waves all day.

I plan on getting out early on Wednesday morning. Hopefully Bertha keeps giving us some (maybe slightly bigger) swell. We shall see. Pray for surf!! Until next time, Aloha.


                                                             Corporate Jack


                         Unknown kid who kept showing up us old guys. Damn kids and their shortboards!


                                                         More Corporate Jack


                                         Me.....

                                             Corporate Jack down in a turn

                                                                  Me again.....


                                                               Another unknown surfer


                                                        Riding a Nantasket "bone crusher"!




                                     98% of the photographs in this post were courtesy of The Mormon

Monday At Nantasket

B-Town Surf — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:08:05 GMT

      It's looking like the surf gods are cooperating with us this week, so I'm planning on heading for a late afternoon session tomorrow at Nantasket . I spoke with Fireman Mike and The Mormon today, there up for it too, so we should be at the beach around 5:30 pm or so. Low tide is around 3:15 pm and the wave forecast is for a 4 ft @ 10 sec east swell, with light winds out of the S /SW. Hopefully the scattered t-storms will hold off until we're done.

     It should be alot warmer than it was when this picture was taken in May. I'm hoping to get out Wednesday morning too this week. See you at the Beach. Until next time, Aloha.

Important Update To The Previous "Shark" Post

B-Town Surf — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:10:51 GMT

It's OK to go in the water this weekend on the Vineyard...The guy made it all up!!! Never mind. Fabrication

Just In Case You Need Encouragement To Get "Wet" This Weekend

B-Town Surf — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:51:48 GMT

The local news sources are reporting that a shark was sighted off of the Vineyard yesterday, prompting some beach closures. Full "Sharky" Story

Not Surfing But....

B-Town Surf — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:56:23 GMT

            ..... a new toy / training tool. I picked up the bike last Saturday, a Specialized "Stumpjumper Comp", and have been trying get out on it as much as possible. I used to race mountain bikes way back when and I forgot how much I missed thrashing through the woods scaring the shite out of hikers, horseback riders, etc. I also picked up the Specialized bike shirt to rekindle memories of my racing days, and because well, I need a cycling shirt (I know, wearing it makes me look like a stock car). Mountain biking is a killer workout though, and a rather fun one at that. Kind of like surfing....

         As much as I like to ride, I'm hoping not to this weekend because I plan on getting "wet" locally. The forecast is calling for some nice groundswell courtesy of Bertha right through next Wednesday. Bertha is forecast to stall off of Sable Island and should bring us some nice waves. I plan on taking at least one day off next week to catch the swell. For more info on the forecast, click on the Magic Seaweed link (it would also be nice if you clicked on some of my advertiser's links too..) in the right hand sidebar. See you in the line up. Pray for surf!! Until next time, Aloha.

Special Footnote: The bike that is visible at the bottom of the above picture is my old Stumpjumper and was "willed" to "The Mormon". Besides being a talented surfer and all around intense guy / combat vet / hockey player / college graduate (and an American citizen), The Mormon is also a hardcore cyclist. Note to Mormon, IT MUST BE RIDDEN!

Hurricane Bertha Update

B-Town Surf — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:23:18 GMT

Bertha has weakened slightly, but she is still a category 2 storm with sustained winds of 110 mph. It looks like Bertha will stay out a sea a lil' further than we'd like for epic conditions, but she still should produce waves . Swell is now forecast thru Monday (from the SW, hopefully the Cape doesn't affect us too much). For more info, see Magic Seaweed (Nantasket Forecast) or the National Hurricane Center NHC

Bertha Now A Hurricane / Weekend Swell?

B-Town Surf — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:57:31 GMT

Bertha has is now a Category 1 hurricane and could reach Category 2 strength later today according to the National Hurricane Center . Bertha continues to travel in a N/NW direction, but at this time, it's looking like it will stay out at sea and not directly affect the U.S. mainland. (NHC)

Magic Seaweed is predicting some decent swell though locally for Friday thru Sunday. The high tide at Nantasket is in the early evening (Friday @ 7:01 pm) on all three days, thus eliminating the problems incurred by the summertime beach crowds. I'm taking Friday off, maybe some mountain biking during the day and surfing in the early evening. Let's hope the forecast holds. Pray for surf! Until next time, Aloha.

TS Bertha

B-Town Surf — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:52:45 GMT

Tropical Storm Bertha is moving steadily westward out in the Atlantic, and may strengthen into a hurricane in the next few days. Top winds as of 11:00 am were 50 mph. It's still too early though to determine if it will affect the east coast. Let's hope for a close pass. Pray for surf!! Latest Update From NHC

Happy 4th of July!

B-Town Surf — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:30:03 GMT

        I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! Supposedly, there may be some "holiday" waves locally on Friday. Unfortunately for me...I'm working (Hey, the OT is too good to pass up) !! But, we may get some swell locally early (Wednesday ?) next week, so I may be "sick" one day next week.

      The above picture was taken aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5), an amphibious assault ship, that is in Boston for a 4th of July port visit. The officers and crew of the Bataan gave myself and my office mates a tour of the ship yesterday that was pretty impressive. The USS Bataan is docked at the North Jetty in South Boston and will be open to the public this weekend for tours. Thanks again to the guys and gals of the Bataan for a great time!




    BTW, if my waist area looks "a little wide" in the above picture, it's because I was working when the picture was taken. Needless to say, I was wearing some "work related items" under the Sox shirt. I'll leave that to the imagination. Happy 4th everyone! Pray for surf! Until next time...Aloha!

"Old School" Surfer

B-Town Surf — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:30:57 GMT

The surfer pictured here is Warren Horsley of "Surf 68" fame. Warren is an old school Nantasket surfer and I had the pleasure of meeting him at 'tasket prior to paddling out for an afternoon session last November. The above and below pictures were taken at "The Ledges" during a spring 2008 session (note the hood). These pictures were "pirated" from Magic Seaweed, I have a link to their site on my page, so I DON'T think they'll be too pissed at me. Anyway, nice ride Warren!

Zazen Surf !!

B-Town Surf — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:48:23 GMT

Zazen is a New England based (Stonington, CT...I know, it's in the press release) surf company. Ya gotta support the locals! You can find out more about Zazen Surf by clicking on the link in the "Other Cool Links" section.

The Countdown Begins

B-Town Surf — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:25:17 GMT

Begin the countdown !!....Today, July 1st, marks 60 days until the start of the "September Sessions" in Wellfleet. The Mormon and I have house down there until September 16th, so we should be able to get some serious surfing in. The September Sessions have traditionally included many "special guest appearances" by many of my other surfer / drinker/ hanging out type of friends.

Because of the record amounts of flatness last year, we didn't surf as much as we wanted, but it was still fun. Last year, with the exception of one day, the 1st week was flat....Like a f*ckin' lake !! The second week was pretty good though. The September Sessions also includes "Scotch and Stogie Night" on September 6th (always a fun time). Hopefully, I won't have to make any trips back to Boston while I'm down there. Pray for surf! Until next time, Aloha.

"Surf 68" Reunion

B-Town Surf — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:30:32 GMT

"Surf 68", a reunion like no other (according to the web page), will be held tomorrow night at the Clarion Hotel on Nantasket Beach in Hull. Surf 68 celebrates the the local founders of our sport / passion, most of whom, are still surfing. Unfortunately, this event may be (mostly likely is) sold out, but you can click on the link at the right to get more information.

Here's some pictures of surfing at Nantasket in the 1960's. There's a ton more to check out in the archives section of the Surf 68 web page. Very cool stuff indeed!!

More Wellfleet Pictures

B-Town Surf — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:14:01 GMT

                 Pictures from last Thursday afternoon at Whitecrest Beach in Wellfleet. Only about 63 days until the "September Sessions" (beginning August 30th).....Pictures courtesy of The Mormon.



                                                                            1.......



                                                                       .........2

Cape Sessions III and IV

B-Town Surf — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:49:54 GMT

        I got out at Whitecrest 2 more x's this week on Thursday and Friday (Wednesday was flat...It happens.). Both days featured small, but fun, glassy waves in the thigh to waist high range. The air temp was in the high 70's, water around 64 degrees. Epic by no means, but fun none the less. My vehicle on both days: My Gerry Lopez Noserider. Photographer: The Mormon.



      Overall, it was two fun days of late spring / early summer surfing on the Outer Cape, which usually translates into nice weather and small crowds. On Thursday, I was the only person out in the line-up. On Friday, there was only one other surfer out there with me enjoying the late afternoon glass. The guy I was surfing with on Friday, "Matt From Cali", I had surfed with last September at Coast Guard Beach. He and is girlfriend had decided to come back to Wellfleet early this year and this was a chance meeting. We both surfed for about an hour and half and finally called it quits when the tide got too low.



   I'm definitely going to have to do a "June Week " (or possibly 2) next year along with the annual September Sessions. Going off Cape this morning sucked, liked it always does, but it's only about two short months of the daily grind until the September Sessions roll around. And that makes it all good! Pray for surf! Until next time, Aloha.



                                                            All alone outside, waiting on a set.