July 19, 2022 - 2nd Beach, Middletown, RI

 It hasn't been that long since I last surfed, but seems like a long time because we've been lugging around surfboards and getting skunked.  This was cool because it was a change of pace from Hampton.  My brother was up for the week and there was surf, so we brought all 3 boards from Mattapoisett to RI, plus Evan and Joaquin.  Got to the beach around 8:30 or so and waves were pretty big, but somewhat messy.  I wore my cutoff Bodyglove for the first time, and it was riding up on my crotch.  It was a good call though.  I mostly used the RC, but tried all 3 boards today.  The RC was the best board for this surf, and I can't believe I used to ride that WRV.  It's so hard to catch waves on and paddle out.  I should trade that for an 8 footer.  The water was so warm (72 deg) and there were some nice big waves, but the best way to catch them was to wait until they broke and let it just push you.  They were pretty mushy, so no risk of getting pummeled.  I got some nice rides.  Joaquin tried surfing and stood up.  Mike used the McTavish, but he never really got out past the breakers.  Good workout and it was cool to surf RI again.  We took a walk up the cliffs afterwards.

June 30, 2022 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

 This was a Thursday afternoon and was the Surfing with Smiles event that gets kids with special needs out surfing.  This popped up on my instagram in the morning and I really pushed Mel to do this with me to get some volunteer experience.  So glad we did, because it was great!  It was pretty packed with people and there were 80 surfers signed up and lot of helpers.  There was no sign up for helpers, which made it easy.  The conditions couldn't have been better for this.  Perfect small longboard waves, sunny sky's and clear cold water.  I really wish we could have surfed, because I know Mel would have caught these waves.  But it was really a great experience being involved with getting these kids surfing.  One of the surfers, Maggie, was actually a WA student!  I also bumped into a client from Procon, which was extra cool.  All the famous Hampton local were there, Cropper, and Ralph, etc.  Although we brought our boards, we didn't surf because were were cold and the waves died down, but we did get in the water and waves.  Photo is post-event.  We will be doing this again on July 14th!

June 26, 2022 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

 Wow, two days in a row!  We had no plans and Mel wanted to go to the beach surfing, so I check out the Cam and it looked OK, but nothing special.  I have to keep reminding myself that every trip to the beach is getting more expensive with gas prices.  But surfing is my passion, and I will spend money on it.  We (all four of us) got to the Wall on this hot day at prime time and it was packed with cars, so we parked in the quarter meters further south.  Man, the surf turned south so quick and was so disappointing.  The wind shifted to on-shore and the waves faded, so it pretty much sucked.  Me and Mel  got in and I focused on getting Mel some waves.  She got up for a split second at the end, but she was quite the complainer and she didn't last that long.  We drifted north pretty fast with the south wind.  Love being at the beach, though and every time I get her out there is a win.  Again, forgot to get a photo, but it was ugly.