Finally, a break from the wind on Sunday-Funday.
Redondo Beach was the first destination for day 145. Finally running past past the high-rise beach apartments with my big blue surfboard, I hit the strand and my eyes lit up as I witnessed sparkling 6 foot plus sets rolling in with perfect shape – with what seemed like a thousand people in the water. It sure was grom central, little rippers all over the place, respectfully sharing waves or waiting their turn. Maneuvering around the many live obstacles made more of a challenge, but my hand shaped Jose Barahona 9’6 magic board whipped around the smiling kiddos with ease. After a short and crowded sesh in Redondo, I headed to Manhattan to play some volleyball, where I met my amazing volleyfriends, or as we like to call ourselves, “The South Bay Ball Chasers Club” (we spend more time running for the ball than playing).
The surf was massive in Manhattan Beach, with few brave souls paddling out to try their luck. While I stayed on the beach, one of those brave souls ended up being Ted Lytle, who grabbed my Barahona longboard and paddled out with no leash into the humongous sets. Everyone surfing was riding a step-up, mini-gun, or a shortboard, and was watching in awe as Ted took off on massive waves and got barreled on a board that was nearly impossible to ride in heavy beachbreak surf. I turned around at one point and witnessed him catch a 12 foot set – I’ve seen some gnarly waves being ridden at the 2012 Pipe Masters in Hawaii, and I think that takeoff on my singlefin longboard one of the cooler things I’ve witnessed.
