"The best wave is found at Flys," say the Wise. And they drive there in their 4WD Flymobiles. The never-to-be-deterred Peconic Jeff elects to drive his 2WD to the Bowl, park, paddle out, and hustle across the Shinnecock Inlet channel whilst cabin cruisers, commercial fishing boats, knuckleheads and miscellaneous water traffic come through (they're all drinking, I believe.) Furthermore fishing lures splash near Jeff's board thrown by haters on the jetty. Once across the inlet channel it's another 200 yards to the break, which is decent but not great.
"The best break this year," the wise repeat. Tiana, K and L roads, Neptunes, the Mecox launches, Olde Towne etc etc...they apparently are the worse for wear. Like Jeff I am 2WD-encumbered, so along with Christian and against my better judgement I've round trip SUPed the channel at Shinnecock twice. Even had a reasonably good time. But paddling back with Christian last week, we made the right turn to come in at the Bowl and found ourselves facing a bit of a headwind. This after a few hours busting it at Flys. We was tired. Managed to get in, but what if it had come up another ten knots? That would have sucked, methinks. Been dangerous above and beyond the trans-channel death paddle. So I've been wanting to hit some other spots and see just how poorly they compare to Flys. 
Southampton Surf Camp has been held at Flying Point, so I headed there Thursday with OG Puffin Steve. Shortly after we arrived the knee-high waves upped to thigh and the occasional waist. They became increasingly mannerly and well spaced, mostly rights but the occasional left. Then some waist to stomach sets appeared, and we had a fine time! Best ride was Steve and I sharing a long friendly waist high wave that Steve declared historic (I believe marking the first time he's had a conversation while on a wave.) There were so many waves, zero dues to pay, nobody there but us...it was my best SUP session of the year certainly. And I think the wave was better than what I've seen at Flys.
I will be returning to Flying Point, and eschewing the Trans-channel death paddle.
(Top Photo: Having crossed the uncrossable I might as well catch a few. Middle Photo: Christian wonders how many close calls he can have so near the inlet. Bottom: I demonstrate classic Puffin technique. Photos by Jeff Schultz)
look, puffins!
Posted by: bonnie | July 09, 2012 at 03:24 PM
After SUP'ing in 20 knots with Dave Kalama, I would have figured you could manage a bit of headwind ;)
Posted by: Jeff Schultz | July 09, 2012 at 07:37 PM
Did the death paddle at sunrise this morning.
Many well behaved waves to be had and an easy, chop free channel crossing.
No drunken boaters either, I guess it's a bit early for that kind of thing.
Flying Point this weekend if the conditions are right.
Posted by: Christian | July 09, 2012 at 09:58 PM
Yes Jeff, but the Dave Kalama event took place in a tidal inlet with many places to walk out if it became too challenging. The place to walk out blown away at the Bowl is Venezuela!
Posted by: Michael | July 10, 2012 at 06:58 AM
It's good to know that I'm not the only one who demonstrates proper water entry whilst paddling.
Posted by: Joe | July 11, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Whilst indeed! And I do it for the photographer. What I find interesting is that I surf regular but fall goofy.
Posted by: Michael | July 11, 2012 at 06:08 PM