The Tides Were High, and So amI

The one thing that we yearn for in our living days, that makes us sigh and groan and undergo sweet nauseas of an kinds, is the remembrance of some lost bliss that was probably experienced in the womb and can only be reproduced ( though we hate to admit it) in death. But who wants to die? In the rush of events I keep thinking about this in the back of my mind.

[hightideshighminds]

at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

[hightideshighminds]

Tourmaline

AKA Old Mans. Pretty much a long boarders and fish spot. When it’s get bigger the occasional short boards will pop up. Spot has three different waves. North Part is a long mushy wave, center has a smaller but faster on the inside and the south is a classic beach break.  Little parking and very very crowded. That said it’s one of the friendliest beaches in San Diego.

Quality: Mediocre to really fun, because the wave has three distinct spots you can find plenty of waves to go around. It’s really mushy, and for beginners that’s the best. The wave practically wants to be ridden.  It’s a fun powerless wave. The sandy bottom with the occasional reef or sharp rock to look out for.This beach works with everything.  

Crowds: The friendliest crowd once out of the parking lot. The parking lot fits 20 cars max. So if getting there late either park on the hill and walk down or circle the parking lot. Most of the locals will have no leashes because why trip when cross-stepping to the nose of the board. On the weekdays it’s the retired area with the occasional kid that is ditching school to practice his newest obsession with noserideing.

Timing: One of the better spots in San Diego for summer. This beach is best during June to September when we are having a steady W and SW swells.  High tide is very fun, but low works as well.  Paddling out is not really a concern and there isn’t many dangers riding here besides the occasional loose board or person not knowing how to carve.

Access: Public access with limited parking.  Take Mission Blvd to Tourmaline street. Instant access. There’s showers and a bathroom. That’s about all.

[hightideshighminds]

Black’s Beach

World class beach break located at the only nude beach in the Westside of United States. A half-mile of beach break that proves time and again for its consistency and power. Typically the biggest spot in San Diego. The swells come from the La Jolla Submarine Canyon. There are three mains spots. South Peak a heavy perfect left. Middle Peak that splits both right and left. And North Peak a near perfect right-hand Barrel.

Quality:

This is a fast hollow powerful break. Know your limits. It’s a beach break where you can find all lefts or all rights if you walk far enough down the beach. The bottom is sandy, which is a blessing or a curse because sandbars shift. The length of the wave is pretty short even when the waves are breaking pretty far out.

Crowds:

During a big day it is very crowded. Localism is thick, and this is the only place that I have seen pro’s consistently. Don’t drop in on the older guy that knows everyone, or you may get an ear full or worse. The week days tends to keep people out as there is a very long hike. Weekends are ridiculous, and unless you’re a seadog I’d recommend trying somewhere else.

Timing:

The beach is consistent. Even when most spots are dead this place will have something going for it. It really shows its true colors on a NorthWest West swell with the wind blowing East. Despite being a beach break it can handle anything from 3ft to over 16ft. The largest I’ve seen is 20ft. Aim for a low to mid tide. And it’s best when it’s falling down. Paddling out just wait for a lull then haul ass. Be prepared for big sneaker sets. Getting caught on the inside can be brutal

Access:

Located at the south end of Blackgold Road, off of La Jolla Farms Road.  There’s a very steep and rocky pedestrian path down to the beach. Bring water and food as there’s nothing at the beach level.

[hightideshighminds]

Happy Saturday

[hightideshighminds]

OB Jetty

Located in the original dog beach in San Diego. People are out there with their canines day and night. Straight off the 8 with the break right off the San Diego River Jetty.  Sometimes called just dog beach, this is one of the better points that combines easy waves right in front of the lifeguard stand to more advanced pitching wave over by the river mouth. 

Quality:

This consistent beach/jetty break. I discovered it last summer. The best point is right next to the rocks. The wave breaks to the right, if you mess up the take off and your leash snaps your board is rock food.  In front of the lifeguard station is fun and shallow. Good for beginner surfers. A hallow and fast and peaking wave to watch out for. If you are fast enough you can catch a great ride

Crowds: Longboards are everywhere. Tends to be a real party wave. Can get tense on bigger days. With that said, people tend to be pretty mellow. This place is always crowded. Work day, weekend, summer, winter does not matter. Parking is hardly a problem if you go before 10. After and you can park outside of the park. Timing: Favorite when the tide bottoms out and is on the rise. This creates hallow, fast, and powerful wave. When paddling out look for a channel, but being a beach break it maybe bouncing back and forth between spots. High tide is fun and can create a rip that will pull North towards the jetty.

[hightideshighminds]

at Dog Beach Ocean Beach

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at South Carlsbad State Beach

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[hightideshighminds]

San Diego Sunset Cliffs Garbage

Fun premo spot. It’s tough driving to it because you will pass a ton of breaks that are sprinkled along the coast. Also the drive here is beautiful. At one point there were just tiny cottages on the other side of the road. Now there are multi-million dollar homes. Drive down to the end. Find street parking and there’s a stair case that will head down the cliff. 

Garbage is the easiest break to get to in Sunset Cliffs, in large part thanks to the stairs that lead down. Because of this, it gets crowded. There is also a rope that you can scale 

Quality:

When there’s no swell it’s super mushy. During winter when the pier was off, I would head here. Caution on the big days. The paddle out are easy as there are plenty of channels. The wave is strong and there is a flat rock reef that will pop up on a negative tide. There are lefts and rights here so fun for everyone. This wave will last longer and stay cleaner than other spots close by. The kelp beds that are out to sea really help groom the wave.

Season:

Winter!!!!! This place can work year around. Summer gets small, and the wave turns super mushy. It also will be really crowded in Summer on larger days. Winter is crazy good. 

Crowds:

Still in the city, and this is a big wave so localism runs strong. On big days, the crowd concentrates in one area as the peak is very very small. Have good etiquette and have a good time. Although on small days this place is mellow. And it tends to have a lot of old men on long boards, keeping a fun vibe where people are sharing waves and enjoying the sun.

Timing:

On big days timing is everything. This break is best when low to mid and rising. Although I have been here at high and had fun. Take some time before paddling out here as there should be a channel that will help you to the break. It’s a long paddle. Should not have to duck dive to much. Make sure to have a good leash because the wave rip works here is in a circle and if your leash snaps, (or you didn’t bring one) it will be real difficult to make it back to shore. And no one wants to be that surfer that is on Channel 9 news getting rescued. 

Last thing pay attention. Rogue waves will wipe the entire line up out. And getting caught on the inside while the tide is rising will put you between a rock and hard wave crashing on you. It’s a very serious and fun spot, only for the experienced on big days.

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[hightideshighminds]

Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego

Moved a half mile away from this break made this my go to break for the year. It’s perfect. High fast pitching lefts that hug the pier. The entrance to the beach has a nice right that breaks when there is a large North swell coming through. This beach is a special little piece of California. Heavy on localism, but there is a real interesting history here, and it’s amazing to surf.

Located in the middle of San Diego. Head west on the 8, then drive down Sunset Cliffs and turn right on NewPort. Head straight until you hit the Pier. Can’t miss it, it’s the largest one in California! Parking is easy. There’s a parking lot around the beach, and street parking a plenty. If you can’t find anything directly in front, park a few blocks away and walk down.

Quality:

Having lived here a year it goes from Crappy to great periodically. My favorite swells were the NorthWest swell from earlier this year. Huge El Nino brought some of the best waves I have seen in San Diego.  Expect nice sand bars to create some fun barrels. South of the pier is a consistent reef break that goes left. There’s a suicide right that takes you right into the cliffs there. More experienced surfers shoot through the pier connecting to a soft beach break. North pier is beachy. The city imports sand which destroys the aquatic life, but it makes it so people can lay out (argh). North Pier will break both ways, and tends to have a heavier crowd.

Season:

Hands down the best time of year is from October-April. It stays about 3-4 feet during this time. With storms in Mexico or further out in the Pacific waves easily grow overhead. If the pier shuts down, typically it’s a good sign to stay out of the water. The wave does not hold up, and your better off looking elsewhere. During summer the wave drops off. Last summer was particular rough averaging around < 2 feet. Defiantly a great time to begin learning. The lifeguards and stores start teaching beginner classes.  

Crowds:

Typical city crowd in the summer. Overcrowding and small waves build up the tension in the line up. I’ve seen arguments start up over really petty etiquette rules. Also expect to get cut off. Snakes and Kooks about. If there is a surf competition the line up is even worse as the competition will huge the pier, forcing the line up to get more beach breaky waves rather than the point.

Timing:

While I prefer mornings to avoid the crowd, the best time to surf here is mid-tide. Specifically when the tide is coming in. I find that’s when the surf is at it’s highest with few closeouts. If the swell direction is right and the dreadful San Diego wind has not started west then your in for some really fun times. This beach really shines at 3-5. And can handle up to 8ft waves. When it it gets big the channel is the only way out.

[hightideshighminds]

I will see you in 8 hours

[explore-blog]

I deal with writer’s block by lowering my expectations. I think the trouble starts when you sit down to write and imagine that you will achieve something magical and magnificent—and when you don’t, panic sets in. The solution is never to sit down and imagine that you will achieve something magical and magnificent. I write a little bit, almost every day, and if it results in two or three or (on a good day) four good paragraphs, I consider myself a lucky man. Never try to be the hare. All hail the tortoise.

Malcolm Gladwell on overcoming writer’s block – a fine addition to our ongoing archive of advice on writing. And wisdom from more famous artists, writers, and designer. 

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file under: things i needed to hear

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Literally the most important writing advice there is. All writers should take heed.

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