Day 227 - Day 9 Session 10 - 'lilStuff

Another glorious day at the beach with MrsBlue.  While the surf was small, it was still surf which is much better than the AOR Surf (non-existent).   Therefore, I'll take it, any size!

MrsBlue sat out in a chair while I tried to catch a few waves during low tide.  She had planned to read a book, but instead spent all of her time being my photographer!  She does a GREAT job of making me look good (not only on the waves, but in LIFE...I miss being around her during my deployment and can't wait for our next rendezvous :)


The day was beautiful with the sun shining and no wind.  I did manage to make it into the water for only a little while.  It seems surfing for so many days is taking it's toll on the body.  My first few sessions the upper back was a little sore...now, I think I have an overuse injury...but pain will not stop me for getting a few more before I return.

Waiting...waiting...waiting....

Catching one!

Got it!

KS10 style...staying low

I never go back side...look at the wave to the right!!!

I'm going to miss this (again) once I leave.  Nothing like surfing EVERYDAY...retirement will surely have to be at the beach with some surfing.  Maybe I can get a job as a lifeguard!!!!

We even made a trip to Cocoa Beach to look at the Kelly Slater Project...Tell me if I'm wrong, but don't our stances look very similar (LOL).

Day 226 - Day 8 Session 9 - Sunday Morning

While I know I should be at Church on Sunday morning, I will tell you this...I experienced God while in the surf.  Yes, it is amazing as you see what God does when you are sitting on a board waiting for waves.  In fact, we had a nice visitor as we were sitting out there...waiting.  A large dolphin swam by just reminding us of the wonders of this world. 


Today's surf session was a little less glamorous, but still fun filled.  We had the entire group paddling out...friends who love a little water.  Q and his brother Paul (a surfboard shaper who has made several hollow wooden boards...and they are a work of art).  Because the surf was so small,  Q decided to ride his longboard as well.  The only negative of the morning session was the Q found a crack on his board and it started taking in water...not good :(  And his board was a beautiful board...which he knows how to ride.

BEEGEE and son were in the grouping this morning as well...we even did a little board swapping which drove MrsBlue crazy as she was taking pictures...normally the board goes with it's owner.
.  

I even got to try out a fun little 8' 7S SuperFishXL... On the right wave, this would be a great board.  It has a five fin setup (quad or thruster)...which makes it a nice ride.  Wish I had this on Tuesday when the waves were a little less friendly.

However, as usual 3DoorsDown makes every wave he goes for...whether it's on his "What I Ride" or anything you put under his feet...


While surfing is a lot of FUN...the buddies you surf with make it even better.  What a good day surfing with awesome people.

BTW:  After wards we made a breakfast run to the Waffle House...not a bad way to finish a session :) even if there was ham involved!!!

Day 225 - Day 7 Session 8 - Ouch that hurts

Early morning surf with the RocketBoy and the BEEGEE.  Flat and almost glass conditions with a little bump everyone once in a while.  Well worth the cold h2o temperatures, but thanks to MrQ, I have booties to keep my feet warm.  In fact, I've been wearing them all week long...no need in being cold while surfing. :)


However, even in the little surf, I was reminded this sport (yes surfing in a SPORT) is a little dangerous and I have the bruises to prove it.

However, tomorrow is a new morning and the waves are awaiting my arrival.  Who knows...maybe the wave machine will be working OverTime tomorrow morning?   At least I hope to have some good waves.


Cocoa Beach, Florida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Sunday
Surf: Ankle to knee high E wind swell.
Conditions: Clean with WNW winds 5-10kt in the morning shifting WSW less than 5kt in the afternoon.

Day 224 - Day 6 Sessions 6 & 7

What a day of surfing......two sessions today and it wasn't even planned.  

As soon as school got out, we went to lunch with a close friend...what a great day just to sit around and talk :)  Immediately after it was time to hit the surf...MrsBlue even caught me dressing (undressing)...

MiB...needs a diet

But MrsBlue is always there to watch me surf...today was nice with a very calm day and a little sun...it made it good for just sitting on the beach.  However, my paparazzi (MrsBlue) was taking pictures of my surfing ability.  It's not too good, but it is surfing.

Waiting for a good wave...

Found one

Trying to get a tube (yeah...too small for that)

A little more of trying to catch a tube

Stay low no matter how stupid you look on a small wave.

 
Then I figure surfing is done for the day but got a late afternoon call from my SurfingBuddy for another session...So we hit the waves again for a sunset session...small waves, but nice!  I was more than happy to oblige for a request like this...so another hour or so in the water.  Guess I didn't have any real plans besides being in the water and being a wave machine.  MrsBlue was reading a book in the car...she is wonderful to put up with a surfer like me. 

Day 223 - Day 5 Session 5 --- afternoon bump

Another day, another surf session.  Yes, I am 5 for 5 as of today.  We had a short lunch, so I couldn't make it out to the 2nd Light at this time.  However, we did make a trip by the beach before heading back to class and there was a small bump.  Glass with NO wind...it was beautiful for sure.  I can only say I should have skipped lunch and paddled out...even the MrsBlue voiced the same thing.  It is amazing to have a wife who really understands my need to SURF and is OK with it.

However, I did go straight to the beach (2nd Light) immediately after class at 1600.  It was still glass conditions and no wind.  The water temperature was about 58 degrees....a little cooler than I thought.  Not much of a ride, but well worth the paddle out and anything.    I made a call to MrsBlue back at the hotel to get a Surf Report...she said not much there, so I chose to hang tight right across from base.  There were a few of us and even one SUP...he snaked me on one wave...so I pulled back since there are more waves coming :)

The surf reports for the rest of my trip is FLAT...not good if you ask me.  By I'll take anything...even if it's only ankle high :)   a wave is a wave :)

MrsBlue says I "need lessons" but I LOVE it!

   

Day 222 - Day 4 Session 4 - Quick Nooner

Another day of class and the topics were very interesting today, religion...  Very good topic that makes me THINK!!!

But I did get to break up the day with a short nooner on the beach.  While the waves weren't great, they were good enough for me!  I got a good 45 minutes of surfing and had at least 10+ waves.  Some were a little short, but others were nice long rides to the beach.  Sun, fun and surf...what else could I ask for?  Waves tomorrow...however, the surf forecast says FLAT the rest of my trip :(


It is great to come home carrying a surfboard...what a way to live life! 

The  my wife joined me for a little shopping (drooling) at the locate surf shop.  We headed to Longboard House...lots of boards to look at!

New finless board...Seaglass Surf Project

Day 221 - Day 3 Session 3

Not letting it go...have to SURF while near the waves.  I found out  that we have a 1 1/2 hour lunch schedule...just enough time to get suited up and paddle out.  I really didn't look at the waves before I headed to the beach at lunch time, but no matter what, I was getting wet.

We have a strong weather front coming through and they are expecting Tornadoes and Thunderstorms.   So I figured LunchTime would be the only time to go today.  

When I made it to the beach, the wind was blowing OnShore (not good), tide was up (not good), the waves were mushie (not good), sets were ALL over the place (not good)....but being in the water (REALLY GOOD)!

MrsBlue found me at the beach after about 30 minutes of surfing...here I am getting dressed to go back to class.

Getting dressed to head back to class.

Mushie and all over the place...not good

WAVES =)

 

Day 220 - Day 2 Session 2

Went to class today and saw some old friends...nice to have others in the course along with me and the topics of discussion are very........engaging.


However, the weather has warmed up and I was thinking "can't we get out of here to go surfing?"  Finally, the class was over and I made it back to the hotel to get the wetsuit on and head to the beach...right out back of the hotel.  It was AWESOME once again.  MrsBlue watched from the beach as I did about an hour of catching some waves.  I didn't stay in until the sun went down, but did think about it!!!! 

The view from the balcony is really nice...I can make an assessment if I should go surf or not.

Breaking waves....time to go surf

Here I am getting ready to rush out into the waves...Just look at me...SMILES from ear to ear!

Day 219 - Surfs Up

Well, I'm back in the CONUS on a little excursion (read this as TDY) from my TDY from the Southwest Asia.   It was a very long trip and I arrived late yesterday and was VERY tired.  However, as promised, I made a DawnPatrol this morning with the fellas!  

Sunrise was beautiful...

You can't believe what I will put up with to SURF =)  The temperature at wake up time was a mere 36 degrees with the wind blowing at about 25 knots...yes that means wind chill.   The water wasn't too bad at a little over 60 degrees...I knew I could make a GO of it for sure.  Even though my blood has been thinned while deployed, I was not letting a little COLD stop me from hitting the surf.   The only saving grace was Quigg had an extra set of booties because the surfshop sent the wrong size...good for me...my size and he gave them to me!  That's a real surfer DUDE friend.

The guys looked ready for battle all dressed up in the full suits and some even had on the hats...(now that's funny).

Quigg getting ready to SURF

BEEGEE was heading out with us.  Too bad Burke didn't join us...

However, it was great to see 3DoorsDown with his UGGs on.  The guys gave him a lot of crap for wearing his wife's boots.

UGG....it's cold out here

 

Day 218 - Back in the States

It was a LONNNNNNNNNNG flight back to the states.  Don't care about making that trip too often and it's only halfway to Hawaii which is were we are headed for the R&R in March.

The best thing was family and friends were there to greet me at the airport.  I'm LOVED =)

ManInBlue FanClub (MrsBlue and 3DoorsDown

MrsBlue HUGGGGGGGG

Day 200 - Burns Supper

Burns Supper

What a night hanging out with the UK!  Let me tell you what, these guys know how to do it and do it right.  As always, my counterpart, Warrant Officer McGuire (RAF) makes it look easy.  What a professionals those of 83 Group.

The evening was the traditional Burns Supper with everything from British food, scotch and HAGGIS (yum yum).  If you don't know what's in the stuff, it's not too bad...tasty is what i would say :) 

Placard, program and after 8 mint

 
Three things I know:
1) The RAF are great Airmen
2) Air Commodore McCann will be missed
3) If you want to have fun, hang out with the British