surf is still firing

I haven't really had the time to figure out how this new version of iMovie works on my laptop, so I took a couple of frame grabs from one of the video clips of me surfing one of our secret spots yesterday (Monday AM) on the surf tour. I just love going out on the boat early in the morning when there is a lot of swell. There seem to be waves breaking everywhere, especially at our outer reef.





I'm not sure how big it was, this wave was definitely bigger than me. There were some bombs that were a lot bigger, about double overhead. Earlier in the morning it was higher tide and mellower, then the tide went out and the waves really started to jack up and barrel. I got really worked on my last wave, a big, fast barreling bomber, I was pretty tired after three hours of surfing. I can't remember wiping out as bad as I did on that wave in a long time, and to make matters worse my rashguard got pulled off of me and tangled around my neck and over my face. I had to tear it off underwater, then it was really dark and I wasn't sure which way us up because I was so far underwater and all turned around. Thankfully my leash didn't come off so I was able to pull on it and guide my way to the surface. Luis and Rodrigo thought I was dead or something. Then the same thing happened to Rodrigo on the next wave, as if ma nature was telling us it was time to get back to the surf camp for breakfast. That was a great way to start off the week, probably really different than most people's Monday morning commutes and board meetings. I want some feeback for future advertising ideas, check out the new magazine ad that we're running in Transworld Surf and tell me if you like it or hate it, or if you could give a shit. Any feedback is good, you can't hurt my feelings. Jane Bocker took our bus artwork and created it, she is really talented as a graphic artist and a great person overall. We had to submit to Transworld today, but we're going to submit to ESM and Drift and a couple others in the next week, check it out, I think its pretty sweet.

I'm really happy that so many people have offered to bring me things from the US. I'm still needing a new laminating machine, like the one found here- https://www.laminator.com/Product_Details~ProductID~327~P~GBC-HeatSeal-H210-9.5-inch-Photo-Quality-Pouch-Laminator-.htm
I know its funny that I am requesting things like this, but seriously this thing is $79 in the US with free shipping and $250 in Costa Rica. It adds up. I will give you nachos in exchange for giving me laminator, do we have a deal anyone? :-) Bill and Emily? Shane Lincke, thank you hooking us up, we can definitely add this to your bar tab. I'm waiting to find out about the RPMs of the polisher, will let you know later today. If you guys haven't been paying attention, we're getting slammed with surf (that is a good thing by the way). There is another swell looking to hit this next weekend. Stoked. The only bummer is that my family is 4000 miles away and I'm here, but by the end of the month we'll have moved out of our rented house in SD and they will be back down here full time. I'm waiting it out, doing whatever I can to improve things at the camp and generally hold down the fort. We are opening up a tour center in the downstairs office, which is great for me as I'll get a chance to be on the floor full time now and talk to our guests, help people with advanced surfboard repairs, boat trips to Witch's and Ollie's, advice on where to surf at any given time, post more surf reports more often, make sure the bar always has enough rum and so on.
My mom sent me this photo of Otis yesterday, I thought it was too cute not to share it with the world. Call me one of those types of parents, I don't care-

I look at this photo and I say "holy shit, I'm getting old!". Otis looks nothing like the baby he's supposed to be, then I realize how fast life really goes by and how lucky I am to have such a great family. Otis obviously gets his sense of clothing style from his pops. pura vida- joe