Magic Monday
Given the consistent surf this winter, it was no surprise that there were waves
Monday, February 9, 2015.
What was a surprise, was the size, and the lack of heads in the water.
And the conditions were about perfect; fairly glassy with a nice offshore.
There had been good surf all weekend, so we ran out for a quick look to see how the swell was
holding up. It wasn’t holding up, it was bumping up.
While points north were packed by sunrise, here sat just a few lonely surfers,
taking turns on clean, organized lines. A sight you rarely see at Campus Point.
Second generation Goleta surfer Sam Harden was one of the few lucky guys on it,
and he was making the most of it.
Ain’t that purty…Sam Harden, on a day to be remembered.
More waves than surfers. Always a happy ratio.
Sam Harden again.
Duck and cover!
One by one the surfers kept coming, and soon the usual Campus high jinks ensued.
Jazz Hands!
Sam Harden.
Then the Johns showed up.
Goleta Legends, Johnny Shields and John Bircham, and they brought their guns.
They also brought their style, as always.
Johnny Shields is as smooth a surfer you’ll ever see.
John Bircham was surfing switch stance on a gun he’d never ridden before,
and taking them all the way to the bathrooms.
Stoked.
Dougie Yartz snuck in a few before running back to the shop.
Lots of beginners learned to surf at this spot, because it’s usually quite tame.
But when there’s a serious swell, this wave can be world class.
And the lip can pack a wallop.
Choosing Not to Make a Decision is Still Making a Decision.
Maverick Carey took a break from work and caught a few bombs.
Bury that rail.
The wind kept building, and Sam Harden kept shredding.
By lunch, the word was out, the hipsters and semi pros descended,
and the parking lot became a happening.
And at dawn the next day, the crowd was on it.
But the morning of Feb. 9 was like none we’ve seen in quite a while, and watching a young
Goleta regular like Mr. Harden have it pretty much to himself, was priceless.
Next page we check out this swell at a few other spots.
See all the photos from this session HERE.
All photos (C) Tom Modugno
