SUP surfing in the waves used to be the happy answer to the question “what do we do when the wind isn’t blowing?” We’d drive to any one of a half dozen breaks (Tiana, Road L, the Cut, Old Town, Flying Point etc.) and paddlesurf to our hearts’ content.
But now, according to the people who know, the best SUP conditions require that you wade through shark-filled waters or jump off a cliff to get to them. Kind of. Unless you have 4WD you must launch at the Bowl, paddle across Shinnecock Inlet to get to Flys, Campers, or somebody Mac’s. Because THAT is where the good conditions are. The old spots (2WD accessible) aren't serving up the good waves any more
“It’s an inconvenient truth” Peconic Jeff said to me..
I hate that. But I’ve launched at at Mattituck Inlet, which is it’s own little tale of madness, and after hissing and spitting and whining for several previously avoided sessions, I finally agreed to try it with Jeff on Saturday.
I picked the wrong day. The paddle across the inlet 2X wasn’t so bad (on the risking your life scale) but when we got to Campers the wind was planable on a six meter sail. Glass we had not. I bitched and moaned for an hour or so, and just when I was ready to leave a few big sets came in. So I stayed, caught my 1.5 decent waves, and the returned to the Bowl.
Will I do it again? Probably not. Am I glad I did it? Yes.
A bumpy day on Sunday but some nice shaped waves on a sandbank just west of Tiana. Everyone left happy. Perhaps the truth isn't too inconvenient afterall?
Posted by: Christian | June 19, 2012 at 09:25 AM
Sounds convenient to me, Christian, paddling at a place you can drive to, what?
Me out of town Sunday though. Pray for wind and/or waves for next Saturday!
Posted by: Michael | June 19, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Hey Puffy - guess what I am getting? My new toy :))
http://www.star-board-sup.com/2012/product/wide-point-8-10-32
Posted by: Bunty | June 21, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Very nice! Similar to what The Wolf paddles here.
Posted by: Michael | June 21, 2012 at 10:10 AM