New Smyrna 2/21/04

Written on February 21st, 2004:

Ah yes, the styling's of two longboarders on the same wave. There's very few things that's as fun to watch as a longboarder setting into a super clean small wave except maybe two longboarders doing the same thing in their own styles. These two surfers were getting it done at Bethune. I believe both of them were in a surf contest later on in the day which was happening right next to where we were surfing.

It was Friday afternoon and the surf was still looking alive. Work was all but wrapped up for the week. After looking over all of the buoy data, surf report info. gathering and personal telephone synopsis I had made up my mind and was off to the coast. I knew that if I went to Cocoa Beach I would possibly get a little over an hour of surf. When I arrived the surf looked fun and there were only four guys out. I quickly suited up and was in the water. Several fun knee to waist highs were caught from next to the pier to about 100 yards down the beach. The 11 footer is a magical device that makes the piddliest wave super fun. I stayed in the water till after dark using the piers lights to catch a few more before heading in.

Seeing that I was in Cocoa the traditional visit to Ron Jon is a must. I did need a Longboard Magazine for some reading material and therefore had a purpose to my visit. I of coarse went in the longboard section and spent some time drooling over some of the boards. There was a nice Takayama at about 9'2" with a super pulled in pin tail and very little rocker. The board looked like it would scream through some good sized surf and yet still give you the feeling that you have some substance under your feet. Hey may be one day in the future that beauty or one of similar design will be a part of the quiver.

After leaving Ron Jon I drove up to New Smyrna and checked into Poole's Motel. The place is ran by a nice couple and provide a decent clean room for a moderate price. The motel is about ten minutes away from the beach making it very convenient.

I woke up early and got ready for Mike to arrive. I ended up driving out to Bethune and the waves were unreal. Big mush burgers that rolled forever. By the time I called Mike, then put my suite on and was in the water the waves had crapped out. Seems that the entire time I was getting ready the tide kept coming in. When I got wet the tide was too high. Now I was wet in the 52 degree water, without booties, and Mike had arrived with his arms raised in the what the ?#$@ are you doing out there. Being a good sport, Mike paddled out. I was quick to apologize for the current situation of the waves and we both hoped that the outgoing tide would make something positive happen. Nothing. Well, there were a couple of fun waves that both Mike and I caught. I do remember seeing Mike get such lings rides that it would take him forever to get back from the beach and out into the line up. My most vivid memory was of a cover up I caught right in front of Mike. I dropped in, angled the board up into the face and wall stood up. I stalled enough to squat down and get fully covered up as Mike screamed in victory of the spectacular view he just witnessed. I loved it too. After a good workout off we went for some lunch. Oh, did I mention that there was a surf contest going on right next to where we were surfing? That was sad, watching the best peaks come right into the contest area. Oh well.

After lunch we drove out to the inlet and the wave wasn't that great. On the way to the inlet I spotted an area that called for a closer look. Sure enough, a pretty clean, small, but long left was coming through. Mike had some business to attend and I figured since I was there might as well get some fun zipping lefts. I suited up and asked Mike to get some pics. He took some nice ones.

Like usual when you don't have anyone to share the waves with, they get good. I caught some real screamers. The wave would stand up and give you the best angle to shoot down the line standing on the nose. I had one wave that kept me perched on the nose for about ten seconds as the wave presented one solid speedy section after another. At one point the waves line bent back and I was able to glide around it standing firmly on the nose of the board. Now that's some fun. I caught almost every wave that I paddled for and had the time of my life. I also learned how to make it out of a pearling situation, which the 11 footer has a tendency to do. And what I do is let the boards nose slide out sideways from where it had submerged and the floatation pops the nose out sideways. As long as the nose popped out in the direction I was going very little momentum was lost and I was up and gliding. It's fun to learn.

Now it's back to the Gulf side and waiting on the next swell to arrive. Can't wait. Stay stoked till next time.

- Arsen Brzostek