Endless Session, Day 136: Board meetings
Day 136. Photo by Noah Patterson
I’ve frequented many surf spots in California, but sliding down the line at a brand new place is always a welcome change from the norm. Amped for a surf trip, I popped out of bed at 5:30 and picked up Mike Siordia, who I now refer to as “Coach,” and we cruised down to Newport Beach to meet ultra-hotdogger and owner of JoneSea wetsuits, Shane Jones, at a beach I had never been to. Pulling up to the parking lot, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the perfect peelers dancing towards the shore, practically calling our names. Siordia, master longboarder who is now offering training, was giving me pointers in between waves, and Shane was walking all over his board with ease, switching stances and riding the nose for what seemed like an eternity.
Day 136. Photo by Noah Patterson
Barahona slicing away. Photo
A four hour non-stop session at my new favorite place and some wiped out loggers called for a quick lunch and the journey back to the South Bay, where I proceeded to find myself at a yet another “board meeting” in the shaping room of master surfboard shaper Jose Barahona, aka my Sea Sensei.
Barahona is one of the kindest, warm-hearted, and talented people that I’ve come across. He shapes with his soul and puts everything he has into every single perfect hand-shaped surfboard, and watching him work is like seeing an artist create a masterpiece. My prize longboard he shaped only a few months ago has become my magic board, and we met today to create another treasure – a 70’s style single fin shortboard to be used in bigger surf.
Jose cut back at forth with focus, and even let me have a hand in doing some sanding and trimming down the stringer. I couldn’t believe my eyes as a large foam blank turned into an elegantly crafted retro-style shortboard. After finishing, we talked a bit about the artwork for the board, and I left Jose to get ready for his next client, excited to have my new baby go off to get spiced up with some color — and finally into my hands within the next few weeks.
