Surfing: Bundle Up It’s Surf Time
Written by playerpress.com, Thursday March 26 2009
Spring has rolled around again. At least, that is what the calendar says. For those of us in the Pacific Northwest it means turning west of the Cascades and heading toward the ocean. Of course, we’ll be trading the heavy waterproof stuff we wear for skiing and snowboarding for the heavy waterproof stuff we wear for surfing. Surfing in the Northwest isn’t for everyone, especially those uninformed surfers who enter the water and don’t heed the need to don the wet suit.
Many Northwest surfers have their favorite places staked out and like those in warmer climates they want them kept secret. Some of the most popular places are Westport and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Both are in the northern part of Washington State and the water can stay cold well into the summer. At this time of the year, if the water temperature of these locations is above 45 that is considered a good day and one where you are less likely to develop hypothermia.
Surfing is not for the faint of heart in Washington State. Along with the water temperatures you must contend with strong cross winds that can blow you off your board as you attempt to ride a wave. That wind also creates rip tides that come close to rivaling the Atlantic in the Northeast. So, if you fall off of your board you can either expect to get conked in the head from the wayward ride, or you can be sucked further from the shore by a current that hits you in the chest with enough force to drive the wind out of you.
The many channels that make up the Strait add to the cross currents and often cause waves to go from calm to raging in minutes. Likewise, they can carry you into rock formations that stud the coastline of the Northwest. At least you can see those rocks. The rocks underneath the surface are the ones that will demolish a board if you are uninitiated in surfing the local waters.
You know those pristine beaches you see in California, Florida and Hawaii? I’m referring to that endless stretch of sand that looks like a white ribbon unraveled beside the ocean. Well, don’t look for that in Washington. Large rocks, pebbles and dark coarse sand that end at tree lines are what make up the beach here. Combined with the cold water it is unforgiving and hardly brings to mind bikini clad surfer girls sunning as you strum your guitar.
Even with a wetsuit you are limited in your runs because it takes hardly any time to start to feel the cold setting in from the water, wind and gray skies that produce little in the way of solar heat. It’s probably for the best since the whitecaps will just add to the potential to damage your board. Surf shops aren’t numerous in the Northwest, but they manage to do a steady business catering to a clientele who are always need of equipment.
As you are warming up you may be able to spot Orca pods heading in for their spring feeding. You’ll want to paddle out for a closer look, but that’s illegal, so sit back and enjoy the cycle of life and know that the warming waters will eventually provide temperatures that make it almost hospitable enough to remove your wetsuit. Welcome to the Pacific Northwest where it hits 80 degrees at least two days out of the year. Maybe you’ll be at the beach when it happens.
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