The lineup was pretty crowded out there today... Lots of local boys... As in, dolphin! They were everywhere, dropping in on waves, jumping around... It was a pretty cool spectacle, with the clear blue water, sunshine, and pretty glassy overhead waves rolling through. Gotta love it! It did feel like a pack of wave hungry surfers out there, though- At one point there were about 5 or 10 circling around me and catching waves. I saw a set approaching and started paddling for the outside, flanked on all sides by dolphin. A few of them turned and burned on the first wave, but I could see the second wave jacking up way outside, so I kept scratching out. Made it just far enough to pivot around and take a super late drop on this macking wave! I didn't have a chance to look up and see how big it was, though, because I was busy watching all the dolphin scatter out from in front of me as I was careening down this huge glassy face... By the time I kicked out over the shoulder and started paddling back out, the next wave was bearing down and I could see 3 or 4 dolphin dropping into that one, a few of them punching through the surface and catching some air... What a sight!!
Speaking of sights- I watched Staurt catch some big ones today, too. He was charging, for sure! It was inspiring, and... uhhh, well... entertaining! I wish I had brought my camera out there... He caught this one set wave, and just kind of shot way out into the flats in front of it, while it was heaving this thick lip behind him. Somehow, I have no idea how, but he started to get pulled back into the wave and somehow cleared the lip and got back onto the face. At this point, he just kind of stood there, as the whole thing folded over the top of him and clipped him right in the head, sending him cartwheeling down to the bottom!! Hahaha! I'm laughing, but I'll tell ya, his eyes were pretty wide by the time he resurfaced! Nice work out there, Stu! Way to get on it!
Anyway, wish I had some pics for ya... but I've got the sights burned into the ol' memory banks, so if I ever take up painting I'll recreate them for y'all... Ahh what the heck- here's my best attempt at drawing Stu right before his head got taken off:
Stu, about to get "The Axe!"As I write, that North wind is starting to rattle the windows again... Should be a heavy day at the Lighthouse tomorrow... See ya out there!
4 comments:
Rofl! Great story
You posted on the Peconic Puffin blog that you wanted to read something about my experience with Dolphins. Here it is, edited for mistakes. Everyone calls them dolphins, but I believe they are porpoises. While down here in Florida, I have noticed them both offshore from my balcony and in the waters of the Indian River. It seems that as the temperatures have become colder, they have moved further into the lagoons through the Inlets. When I sailed at the Point near Sebastian Inlet, I saw them, but only furtively. Yesterday, I got a good look at one as he was leaping out of the channel north of the Wabasso causeway. While rigging a feeding frenzy developed amongst the bird population as the pelicans were active in a school of fish. The porpoises came in and took their share within a few yards of the shore while I was rigging. Then while sailing I noticed many of their dorsal fins popping up around me. However, one one rather fast reach I approached the dredged channel and found I was heading directly into a group of them. I wondered if I would hit one. As I came closer I saw a head appear and then dive quickly back under my board. What an experience!!!! I had a good session with a couple of nice, long effortless reaches. However, the wind died, and I was back doing that Florida slog. (A dance step so common on south beach).
Very ccreative post
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