Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Day 14 - sessions 17 & 18
Worked from home, surfed twice, the waves were on the rise. I saw a guy from one of those contests out there. I was on the burnout, I have not gotten used to it yet.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Day 11 - Session 14
Had a good one in the fog. Had a wave that would have been an 8 for sure!!! That's what I need in the final to take down Yari! Ha Ha. I had two really solid snaps on my backhand where my tail got loose and then I finished it with a backside reverse. I've only done about 15 of those in my life, so it is pretty special. Would have scored high for sure. I need two of those in the final. Could be big this weekend in Pismo. I hope so! That is where I think I have an advantage. Big and gnarly is the edge for sure. I hope so. I need the points!
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Day 10 - Double Sesh - 12 & 13
Session 13 was awful. Worked from home and went out at lunch. Waves were bad, but I feel like I'm getting close to ready for the contest this weekend at the Pismo Pier! Me and Jay are battling!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Day 6 - Session 9
Got out there. It was cold! Gotta go now. Surfing much better, I'm looking forward to Pismo! I feel pretty good now. Hopefully that translates into a final!!! I'm hoping a number of surfers don't show, so that I can catch up since I missed the first contest.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Day 4 - Session 7
3 in the bank. It was fun this morning, but I cannot get my surfing back to where I want it for some reason. I'm analyzing everything and not just surfing, I guess. I'm really trying to change what I do to get better. Competition will do that to you. The problem is that I'm not surfing naturally because of it. It is like pulling teeth changing technique after 25 years. I'll do it though. I have another 10 days to get a consistent comfortable snap/floater/cutback combo down.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Day 3 - Session 6
My new streak is to have more than 365 sessions in 365 days. So I always have to have my sessions ahead of the days passed. I surfed 5 times on Saturday and I did not surf on Sunday. But I got out there this morning. So the total is 6 sessions on day 3 - I have 3 in the bank - a new challenge. Also, I'm committing to updating this blog every day, even if it is just to say Day X - Session X.
Surfed the contest this weekend. Got 7th again. So both my WSA finishes are 7th's. Oh well. I've gotten 4th in the Repercharge heat 2x now. Frustrating. The waves were bad, but I've been surfing poorly as well, so I'm actually surprised I made it through my first heat. I actually did so in both the open division and the masters division and got 4th in both heats following. I'm going to work hard to get ready for Pismo. My surfing has to get sharper. I want to consistently be in the final.
Surfed the contest this weekend. Got 7th again. So both my WSA finishes are 7th's. Oh well. I've gotten 4th in the Repercharge heat 2x now. Frustrating. The waves were bad, but I've been surfing poorly as well, so I'm actually surprised I made it through my first heat. I actually did so in both the open division and the masters division and got 4th in both heats following. I'm going to work hard to get ready for Pismo. My surfing has to get sharper. I want to consistently be in the final.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Power Rankings - Old Guy Surf Championship up for grabs!!!!
Power Rankings:
1) Jason Penning
Boring but effective. Well at least that is the expectation. He has 2 1/2 moves and in theory they are functional. A Snap, a Floater and 1/2 of a cutback. His style differentiates him (he has a little) and expectations of consistent top 3 finishes has Yari and his smoking buddies talking. However, the biggest disappointment on tour so far this year invites more question than answers. Unless Mike can get on the podium, there'll be no challenge to that quarterfinal finish that he posted in the NSSA College Series back in '92. Yeah, he's faced the Doonan's in competition, but that was a different millennium and he gets little credit for those faded memories. He's still leading the power rankings, even if the judges fall to sleep before he finishes his ride, chances are that he'll finish it.
2) Mike Olson
The anti-Jason. Consistency is his weakness, style his Achilles' heel. Yeah, he has added a weak open face frontside hack to his repertoire recently, but in clean rippable waves, he is yet to prove himself. Reports have him pulling off a big move or two during free surfs, but we are yet to see him link anything together on the contest circuit. When you see him drop into a long clean wall, do your best to not visibly wince as he dissects it with a machete. But, don't underestimate him, he may post a score or two if he manages to chew on a wallet long enough to ride one to the beach even if the epileptic seizure is most deserving of the credit.
3) Tom Lavia (No Photo Available at Time of Press) - the darkhorse, the wild card... This could all change with one heat. Tom's talent is known, but questions remain. Will his free surfing skill translate into success on the big stage? He likes to go for it, but pulling the big move and wrapping it with some functional surfing for solid points is unlikely according to "people in the know". Yeah, going into the ponto contest, he should have home court advantage, which argues for a higher ranking, but there is too much unknown. For instance, he lives 15 feet from the beach but all sightings have him hanging with the Jars of O-town. Why is this? Can he not generate speed on his own? Is the "3-to-the-beach" in is vocabulary? Can he stick the big move? More questions than answers at this point. His lame excuse for missing the deadline to sign up has him relegated to chancing a beach-entry. We'll wait to see if he shows before reassessing.
Recent News:
In a surprising move, Jason has opted to head to Mexico with his friends from his old work. He'll probably get waves, but at a high cost. This is how it breaks down... Mike Olson 833 vs. Jason Penning 1370 points. The minimum point total for showing up (assuming 18 surfers) is going to be 620. Jason's absence certainly heats up the two man race. 833 + 620 = 1453 after this event assuming Mike earns a last place finish. Reports lately are that Mike has been surfing shitty, so that might be a good assumption! This is setting up a for a classic showdown in Pismo 2 weeks from now as Mike goes head-to-head with his nemesis (they'll carpool but conversation will be kept at minimum). The wild card is Tom Lavia, who will likely make his first appearance on tour with home court advantage (ponto is his home break). He will not likely be a factor down the stretch but would certainly pounce at the opportunity to serve as a spoiler. Taking Mike or Jay out of a competition is certainly top of mind for him. At an infantile 34, he has the a lot of energy and staying fit by chasing around 2 kids all the time may prove to be a key to his prospects on tour this year even if he is unable to make all the events.
1) Jason Penning
Boring but effective. Well at least that is the expectation. He has 2 1/2 moves and in theory they are functional. A Snap, a Floater and 1/2 of a cutback. His style differentiates him (he has a little) and expectations of consistent top 3 finishes has Yari and his smoking buddies talking. However, the biggest disappointment on tour so far this year invites more question than answers. Unless Mike can get on the podium, there'll be no challenge to that quarterfinal finish that he posted in the NSSA College Series back in '92. Yeah, he's faced the Doonan's in competition, but that was a different millennium and he gets little credit for those faded memories. He's still leading the power rankings, even if the judges fall to sleep before he finishes his ride, chances are that he'll finish it.2) Mike Olson
The anti-Jason. Consistency is his weakness, style his Achilles' heel. Yeah, he has added a weak open face frontside hack to his repertoire recently, but in clean rippable waves, he is yet to prove himself. Reports have him pulling off a big move or two during free surfs, but we are yet to see him link anything together on the contest circuit. When you see him drop into a long clean wall, do your best to not visibly wince as he dissects it with a machete. But, don't underestimate him, he may post a score or two if he manages to chew on a wallet long enough to ride one to the beach even if the epileptic seizure is most deserving of the credit.3) Tom Lavia (No Photo Available at Time of Press) - the darkhorse, the wild card... This could all change with one heat. Tom's talent is known, but questions remain. Will his free surfing skill translate into success on the big stage? He likes to go for it, but pulling the big move and wrapping it with some functional surfing for solid points is unlikely according to "people in the know". Yeah, going into the ponto contest, he should have home court advantage, which argues for a higher ranking, but there is too much unknown. For instance, he lives 15 feet from the beach but all sightings have him hanging with the Jars of O-town. Why is this? Can he not generate speed on his own? Is the "3-to-the-beach" in is vocabulary? Can he stick the big move? More questions than answers at this point. His lame excuse for missing the deadline to sign up has him relegated to chancing a beach-entry. We'll wait to see if he shows before reassessing.
Recent News:
In a surprising move, Jason has opted to head to Mexico with his friends from his old work. He'll probably get waves, but at a high cost. This is how it breaks down... Mike Olson 833 vs. Jason Penning 1370 points. The minimum point total for showing up (assuming 18 surfers) is going to be 620. Jason's absence certainly heats up the two man race. 833 + 620 = 1453 after this event assuming Mike earns a last place finish. Reports lately are that Mike has been surfing shitty, so that might be a good assumption! This is setting up a for a classic showdown in Pismo 2 weeks from now as Mike goes head-to-head with his nemesis (they'll carpool but conversation will be kept at minimum). The wild card is Tom Lavia, who will likely make his first appearance on tour with home court advantage (ponto is his home break). He will not likely be a factor down the stretch but would certainly pounce at the opportunity to serve as a spoiler. Taking Mike or Jay out of a competition is certainly top of mind for him. At an infantile 34, he has the a lot of energy and staying fit by chasing around 2 kids all the time may prove to be a key to his prospects on tour this year even if he is unable to make all the events.
Made it to day 202!!!
Now taking some time off. Still have been getting the water though. The reality is that we have had some serious swell in the water, for a long time, so my small wave surfing is suffering!!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Day 196 - It's on like Donkey Kong
Working on my contest form... Surfing NSSA this weekend, probably going to get destroyed. You see it turns out that I don't know how to surf contests. But, I'm going to figure it out. I want a lot of heat time. The real goal is the WSA though. Going toe-to-toe with Jay and Tom.
By-the-way, I haven't been surfing very sharp. I don't know why that is. I think because now I'm analyzing every turn, every cutback and thinking comp. It is funny. I think it'll make me better. The real reason to do it? None. Just cuz it is fun...
Jason normally surfs these things well, but he's struggling to get out of the gate this year. We are both motivated and we are going to do the whole WSA series. I'm also going to do some of the NSSA's for experience. I'm surfing in the Seniors and the Masters this weekend at Goldenwest. It should be fun! My goal is to make it through a heat. But, I'm looking to be in the top 5 in the WSA! Jay wants to be there too, so we are going to have to battle!
By-the-way, I haven't been surfing very sharp. I don't know why that is. I think because now I'm analyzing every turn, every cutback and thinking comp. It is funny. I think it'll make me better. The real reason to do it? None. Just cuz it is fun...
Jason normally surfs these things well, but he's struggling to get out of the gate this year. We are both motivated and we are going to do the whole WSA series. I'm also going to do some of the NSSA's for experience. I'm surfing in the Seniors and the Masters this weekend at Goldenwest. It should be fun! My goal is to make it through a heat. But, I'm looking to be in the top 5 in the WSA! Jay wants to be there too, so we are going to have to battle!
| WSA/GATORADE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR SERIES Masters 30 - 39* DIVISION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Day 182 - So good out there today...
It has been big and good. My broken body is slowly recovering. I need some Yoga in a bad way. I need to get some flexibility back. In need that spring in my muscles.
Today showed head-high peaks that reminded me of a crossed up day at Huntington. Wow! It was good. The water was warm and my forehand tail slide was working. I had a couple of big slides today. I'm pulling them off with ease now. I cannot explain why. I'm stoked again. My frontside cutback is suffering, I think because I'm so stiff... We'll see if we can change that.
Tonight I'll certainly go to Yoga. I think I'm going to surf in a little contest this weekend with Jason. More motivation.
Amazing that Today is 1/2 of a year surfing every day. How is that possible? How have I been able to dodge any and all commitments that would prohibit this? Particularly work ones? I don't know. 5 more days until day 187 which I think marks the end of summer. I'll probably keep it going until day 200 and take 201 off. Why? I don't know because 200 is an easy one to remember, an easy one to explain. I'll admit, this thing is silly, but it has been one of the best experiences of my life.
I think I'm already lining up my next challenge. Not sure what it will be, but I think it will be more sessions than days... This way I have incentives to get out there multiple times when it is good. So, Triple sessions will be at a premium on the weekends! Double sessions during the week will be pushed for. I'll have a "Bank" and the goal will be to not let the count drop below the number of days. Yeah! This sounds fun... I'll have an incentive to build the bank up as much as possible in case I have to burn a week or two due to weather or a vacation (that doesn't involve surf) or whatever.
I plan on starting this one the starting October 10th (I have to go to TN on the 7th and 8th). I've never gone a full year where I didn't have at least 1 super long break from surfing. I always get out of shape and I have to fight my way back into it. This is no longer for me. I'm going to stay in shape and stay in surf shape as well...
Today showed head-high peaks that reminded me of a crossed up day at Huntington. Wow! It was good. The water was warm and my forehand tail slide was working. I had a couple of big slides today. I'm pulling them off with ease now. I cannot explain why. I'm stoked again. My frontside cutback is suffering, I think because I'm so stiff... We'll see if we can change that.
Tonight I'll certainly go to Yoga. I think I'm going to surf in a little contest this weekend with Jason. More motivation.
Amazing that Today is 1/2 of a year surfing every day. How is that possible? How have I been able to dodge any and all commitments that would prohibit this? Particularly work ones? I don't know. 5 more days until day 187 which I think marks the end of summer. I'll probably keep it going until day 200 and take 201 off. Why? I don't know because 200 is an easy one to remember, an easy one to explain. I'll admit, this thing is silly, but it has been one of the best experiences of my life.
I think I'm already lining up my next challenge. Not sure what it will be, but I think it will be more sessions than days... This way I have incentives to get out there multiple times when it is good. So, Triple sessions will be at a premium on the weekends! Double sessions during the week will be pushed for. I'll have a "Bank" and the goal will be to not let the count drop below the number of days. Yeah! This sounds fun... I'll have an incentive to build the bank up as much as possible in case I have to burn a week or two due to weather or a vacation (that doesn't involve surf) or whatever.
I plan on starting this one the starting October 10th (I have to go to TN on the 7th and 8th). I've never gone a full year where I didn't have at least 1 super long break from surfing. I always get out of shape and I have to fight my way back into it. This is no longer for me. I'm going to stay in shape and stay in surf shape as well...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 173 - My body is breaking...
I have pain in 5 places: 1) upper back - massive spasm, 2) Lower back - general tightness a bit of a spasm, 3) Both hips are very tight, 4) My left knee has been bothering me (right one is the one that I had surgery on), 5) My ankle that I rolled a couple of weeks ago.
Something has to change. I have to fit some yoga/other fitness into my routine. I think the asymmetry of surfing, has me hurting. I have to align a little better. Yoga tommorow, not because I want to, because I have to. It'll take some time before it helps...
I caught 4 waves today after surfing my brains out for the last couple of weeks. I need a break and to recover a little bit. The waves were really good however.
Something has to change. I have to fit some yoga/other fitness into my routine. I think the asymmetry of surfing, has me hurting. I have to align a little better. Yoga tommorow, not because I want to, because I have to. It'll take some time before it helps...
I caught 4 waves today after surfing my brains out for the last couple of weeks. I need a break and to recover a little bit. The waves were really good however.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day 168 - the day that hasn't happened yet...
I was going to go surf, but I'll admit it, I'm very sore from getting in the water a lot over the last week or so. My legs are sore, my arms are sore, I'm generally in need of some yoga or something. Well, instead of going to surf this morning, I instead decided to call up Jay and I started screwing with iChat. If you want to see the result, check his blog here: Jay's Blog. iChat rules!!! Anyway I did not surf.
To finish my thoughts from my previous blog, when I was out in the water last night my neighbor Chris was out there and he made a comment about how clear the water is. This is when he said, "It's just like a giant Brita filter with all the ash raining down on the water from the fires." I guess he could be right, but I just think it is funny. So as the ash sinks, does it collect all the particulate? I don't know, I just like visual of a giant brita filter. I like brita filters...
I'll go surf as soon as I get home.
To finish my thoughts from my previous blog, when I was out in the water last night my neighbor Chris was out there and he made a comment about how clear the water is. This is when he said, "It's just like a giant Brita filter with all the ash raining down on the water from the fires." I guess he could be right, but I just think it is funny. So as the ash sinks, does it collect all the particulate? I don't know, I just like visual of a giant brita filter. I like brita filters...
I'll go surf as soon as I get home.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 167 - The Brita Effect...
Ash in the water... Ambi I'm out - have to continue tomorrow. I have been surfing my brains out as of late. Tightening up my small wave style.
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