Surf contests are back on and the season is in full swing around here in southern California. Pier contest this weekend with a couple of clients who will be participating. Heres one practicing at the San Clemente pier where the contest is being held this weekend. Good size swell coming too. Remember the sets almost ALWAYS close out on the south side of the pier. You have to be active and EXACTLY on the peak so there will be time to set up one maneuver. The inside left also stands up close to the pier where it reforms too. Waiting for sets is not a good idea unless it is really firing and good shoulders available.
Heat Strategies
Is it best to stay busy or wait for a good set?
In Southern California beaches I personally lean to staying busy in a heat and being urgent , getting to peaks for positioning. If your staying busy but not building on small scores like 1's or 2's than you could miss a set or a good mid range wave or reach your wave count. After one or two low scores (if that's how you started) I always suggest to maybe head a little further out and find a bigger peak that has a corner.
Sometimes all you need is one turn to make the difference. Always time the sets and see how consistent the waves are. If it is very consistent or big than getting the couple low scores becomes less important, maybe just one? Will that sweep you on the inside and waste time if you do? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves
Seafest 10/6/15 and 10/14/15 Scholastic Surf Series
12 year old grom from Marco A-man and 9 year old Al surfed well at the Sea fest. Against San Clemente's best A-Man just missed making the final, finishing fourth in the semi's. Al almost made his heat in the under fifth teen age group as a 9 year old!
12 year old Zach and Max Muetzel surfed thier first contest for Marco Forester Middle school and Zack made it to the next round at Churches! Max was close but someone interfered with his section making him fall, no interference was called.