This a great artilce on surfing in Newport Beach! TK is a long time friend of ours and just a great human being! Read this great insight into surfing!
I wake up this morning and the west wind is howling. It is overcast and the surf report for Newport is calling it small with poor conditions. I call my best surfing buddy, "Mikey," knowing that he will recognize what a perfect scenario this is for one of our favorite secret spots. We call it Skate Park, but you will recognize it as the west side of Newport pier (the only secret spot that will be exposed in this article).
As the west wind blows, a local wind swell develops quickly at Skate Park. Blackie's locals have a habit of looking at the surf once and then forgetting about it if it's not good. Mikey and I love the small but powerful rights that break into the pier and make for exciting pier shooting.
Even though we are not good enough to be filmed for some surf movie, we are still treated like surf stars by the ever present out-of-state tourists that line the hand rails of the pier and stare down on us with wonder, as we vanish beneath them. They come to catch a glimpse of the famous California surf boys and we happen to be the only show in town.
Once we surf between the pilings we paddle back out in the wave shadow they create on the east side of the pier. The close proximity to the pilings make an easy paddle as the white water is diverted away from us at the last moment adding to the exhilarating experience.
Other secret spots do definitely exist in our local waters, and more often than not, they are of superior quality to this one I've exposed. The value of many years of experience in Newport waters has revealed world-class treasures when wind swell and tide combine just the right way.
Surfline cameras can't expose these gems. You are left to your own expertise to find them. Accumulated knowledge is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a surfer.
In conclusion, I would like to wise up you young guys about something. When you discover a secret spot, it is of the utmost importance that you KEEP IT A SECRET! All of us old guys can tell you about great spots that have been overrun by crowds as the result of a single magazine photo or loose lips.
It's always tempting to one-up your buddies or play the big man on campus by spewing your recently discovered spot, but it's just too high of a price to pay for a moment of glory.
Keep your eyes on the tide, wind, and swell direction and maybe, just maybe I'll see ya there.
- TK
TK Brimer is the operator of the Frog House surf shop in West Newport. Send your favorable comments to tkfrog@aol.com.
Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors. Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.
Comments(0)