September 1, 2023 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

 There were a couple storms out at sea, and this turned out to be the beginning of a week long swell.  Too bad this was the only day I got, but it was good.  It was a Friday morning work day, so I woke up at 5:30 and was at wall just before 7 AM.  Surfed at 6th street to try to avoid crowds, but they came after a while.  People were already leaving, but the waves were solid.  It was probably waist-head and clean with some decent power.  A little tough getting out, but glad I took the RC, which is a little smaller and lighter.  I caught about 5 waves and a couple of them were just killer rights on the face.  Water was pretty warm, but air was cooler.  Was back home by 9:30.

August 19, 2023 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

 I really wanted to get out and do something this weekend, the beach or something outside since summer appears to be winding down.  Everyone except me seemed to be busy, so looking at the surf for Saturday morning, I decided to go it alone.  I wasn't expecting much, but it turned out to be a nice clean swell.  It was one of those clean, but short period where it builds, but you have catch them at the last second.  I took the RC and went to the Wall.  Water was not that cold.  I was at 14th Street and there were a lot of surfers being coralled south of 14th st by the life guard.  Waves were nice and clean though and I caught many.  There was a lot of wait time and if you missed a set you had more wait time.  Good workout, but I rubbed my chest a bit due to missing a bunch of waves.  

July 18, 2023 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

 I took the afternoon off from work so me and Mel could go to Surfing with Smiles, but it got cancelled due to chance of thunderstorms.  There was surf, so we went anyways.  But first we went to UNH to see Mel's dorm and eat a free lunch at the dinning commons.  We also got ice cream at the Dairy Bar.  From UNH to the Wall is a half hour on back roads, so it's not that close.  At the wall the swell was big enough to catch some decent rides, but it was somewhat messy.  The waves were too big for Mel to get past the breakers, so she stayed on the inside.  I think she has really been struggling with the conditions this summer.  We just need that perfect day and she needs to commit!  I caught several and few decent ones, but nothing too epic.  I had many nose dive wipeouts due to the conditions.  After we surfed, we did some body surfing.  We went to Cinnamons afterwards.

June 30, 2023 - Jeness Beach, Rye NH

 This was the Friday before an extra long 4th of July weekend and I took most of the day off.  Melissa and I planned to get up early and go to beat traffic and she had to get back for her Ed Sheeran concert.  We got there at 8:45 and parked near Cable Road.  There was some decent swell, probably waist-chest, but it was too big for Mel to get out.  Tide was high but the waves didn't calm until we left.  I had Mel stay on the inside, but she was struggling with positioning, timing and paddling.  I caught several good medium length rides, but they all ended in white water.  I think Jeness is our new beach.  Free parking.  Photo is from the Wall.

June 18, 2023 - Jeness Beach, Rye NH

 It was Father's Day and Laura and Melissa had just left for Puerto Rico.  Evan asked me what I wanted to do today so he basically couldn't say no to my request.  I haven't been surfing since October.  It was in the 60's and mostly cloudy, so perfectly no crowds.  Surf was about knee to waist with defined sets.  Parked at the beach access entrance for free.  So my goal here was to get Evan surfing.  He wanted to try, but I did not know what to expect.  I figured that the 7 ft WRV might be the most managable board for him because it's light and so is he.  I rode the RC.  He actually fit into Melissa's suit, so this was good - he would be warm, and he was.  Well, the first 5 minutes were awkward for him learning, but, not gonna lie, he caught on quick.  He was able to balance and he caught a few rides in mostly on his belly, but tried to get up.   I heard him hooting and having fun.  It was great.  His session ended when a set came in and he was off his board and the board ended up hitting him on the head, but not that hard.  It could have been worse, if a fin hit him in the head.  I told him to abandon the board and dive into the wave and let the board go behind him, something he has to learn if he wants to keep surfing.  I stayed in a little longer and caught some nice ones.  We went to the new CR's store after and he tried on a wetsuit, but wasn't sure if he wanted to buy.  I finally also tried out the action CAM and got a couple of videos.  They are very clear.

October 30, 2022 - Sawyers Beach, Rye, NH

Yes, the part of Jeness with the big rocky berm before you get to the parking lot is actually called Sawyers Beach, and non residents can park in off season, as well as dogs being allowed after Oct 1.  Me, Laura and Mazy went up cause the surf was good and has been good all month.  It is great to park right there and hop over the hill.  The waves were really nice and about chest high long clean lines.  Used the RC and 4/3 with booties and one glove.  Tide was coming in, but the waves did not flatten out much, just kept coming and consistent.  It felt like it was the old mans section I was surfing in.  Probably got about 6-7 waves, and 4 of them were really nice rides.  Had to catch these a little on the late side, or you'd miss them. My last ride was the best being a left and getting a lot of the face, then pumping the end.  Bright sunshine and the water is still in the mid 50's.  I could hear Mazy on the beach barking at people and birds.  She can be difficult at times.  Afterwards, I went to Summer Sessions and bought a new pair of 3 mil gloves.  Wish I bought them before the session.  My booties are also in rough shape.

October 7, 2022 - The Wall, Hampton, NH

What a year of surfing and I can't seem to get enough.  This was the tail end of a small swell and I took the Friday afternoon off.  I needed to get back for Evan's 4:30 soccer game, so this was a bit risky for a Friday afternoon with traffic.  Waves were just big enough to surf maybe waist occasional chest and slow moving, which meant they were easy to get into.  I must have caught about 20 waves, but they were pretty short.  I used my barge since I new the surf would be small.  Water is getting a little colder and I used my booties, but maybe didn't need them.  There was really no wind, but the water had a slight chop.  There was a mystery current that kept quietly pushing us north.  Parking meters are only $1/hr after Oct. 1st.  I discovered Cinnamon Rainbows tent sale with half off everything and bought a T and sweatshirt.  We then drove up on Sunday again when it was buy 2 at 50% off and get the third free.