Getting Ready for California

Written on December 22nd, 2003:

The above pic is taken from wannasurf.com showing a wave at Rincon.

The winter trip to California is very close. Several different options were discussed among them were Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Northern Costa Rica.

My cousin Jeff and I are planning a 7 day trip to Ventura County to surf the Queen of the Coast - Rincon and the many other spots located close by. The plan is to fly in directly from Tampa to L.A. on Sunday the 18th and leave on Saturday the 24th. The flight is approximately 5 hours. Once in L.A. we will pick up our standard size car from the airport car rental and drive up to Camarillo, which should be approximately one hour northwest. We are set to arrive in the morning. We will then go out to the coast and either rent or purchase longboards. I'm planning on getting a 10' board with a 2+1 fin setup to be able to handle anything that comes my way. On our way out we will be leaving L.A. in the evening to arrive back in Florida early Sunday morning.

The climate in Ventura County is Mediterranean, giving us very close to winter time Florida temperatures minus the humidity we get. The water should be about 55 degrees. Full rubber gear will be taken along as well as a leash and fin. Why bring a fin? I was in Costa earlier this year, found the board that I wanted to ride, but it didn't have a fin. So now I know better and to bring along my own fin.

The actual trip will be documented with words and possibly pictures and than provided in later installments of "Surf Stories".

- Arsen Brzostek