Back in the Water in Nor Cal

It’s been a while since we paddled out at our home break in Northern California, but today was the day. It was sunny and about 50 degrees, however, the water was cold, but it somehow it felt familiar and very refreshing. As it turns out we didn’t pick the best day to head back out. We’re used to surfing the south and the middle and they were both flat. There were some nice sets coming in at the north end, however, we’ve never surfed there, and didn’t want to start on our first day back. So we paddled.
At all of the breaks we’ve been to in Hawaii have had long paddles to the outside. In Nor Cal the breaks we frequent have very short paddle outs. We’ve found over time we really like the long paddles. So, paddling up and down the beach today was a lot of fun. I might start doing this even when the breaks are good and I’m surfing. The idea of paddling up and down the beach is very appealing, and will help to increase my overall strength for paddling into waves.
As the sun was setting behind the mountain at the south end of the beach we found ourselves farther out in the water than we’ve ever been before at Pacifica. There was a definite sense of calm sitting out in the Pacific with the pelicans, and other sea birds, while listening to a group of 10 kids playing drums on the beach. A very California day!
Hoping for some rideable surf tomorrow.
#43 / 2:30 pm
Surfline surf report for today – Surf remains modest across the region this afternoon with mainly W-NW swell in the water. The better North Hemi exposed spots offer clean surf around the waist-chest-head high zone as select spots produce slightly bigger inconsistent waves on occasion. Overall, I give it a fair-good for those better breaks.
Pre surf food –Vegan waffles and a vegan chick patty sandwich.