Part 13 - Webbed Gloves

While training for paddling in August, I found webbed gloves.  In the video, Learning to Surf, Richard Schmidt said that they can be hard on the shoulders.  They sure are, but at the time I started to use them, I wasn't working out every day.  I couldn't since I was getting sore shoulders and arms from them.

Once I started using them, even the first time, I couldn't go back.  Suddenly I went from feeling like I was going nowhere with just bare hands, to having paddles and moving immediately with each stroke.  It was amazing how much faster and how much more each paddle stroke moved me and my board.  At that time I was still on the bay, but getting psyched to know that I had even more power for the ocean with the gloves.  Just about $20.

Igor Saturday Morning and New Fins

Resting shoulders for one day.  Boogie boarding trying out new swim fins.  Heading out now.

I just realized these things are called, "Aqua Lung!"  Do you think they ever heard of Jethro Tull?  Do I really want to touch these things now?

Should be good out there today and tomorrow, cloudy here tho.

Part 5 - Soft Top Purchase

Summer '09, I was talking to my friend about the board I have and how it doesn't work for me. He was interested in water and surfing.  So one summer day we went over to Sundown just to look at different boards.  I've been there a few times as well as Bunger surf shop and all the larger boards were always $650 to $1500.  And not really having any idea what I might actually be able to use, especially coming from having a useless board, I was never willing to spend much at all considering how easily I could imagine myself not being able to surf another board!

But then there was a used soft top, $174, that I could do.   And it was 8' 7" so I was willing to go from my short board to the biggest, cheapest board I had ever seen.  Also remember that I knew no surfers and never even talked to any down at my unsurfable surf spot....

Also, the board was nicely dinged up and hard to damage and meant for beginners and I could strap it up on the racks without much additional gear.  Done.

This one doesn't sink as much w me on it - important for beginning.

Rash Guard Under Shorty

Only recently I got a rash guard because I was wearing down chest on the board.  Even tho with the spring suit, I have chest protection anyway, I just put it under the shorty suit and the top slid on way easier.  I think I'll keep wearing it this way.

Heading out now for second day to test the sandbar.

Also confused about the season changing the beach parking entry and fees.  Not sure if they're open or charging or neither or both, etc.

New Leash Looks the Same as Old One

Nothing's changed in ten years.  That's ok if it lasts as long.

Leash Broke But Lasted 10 Years

Can't complain, it lasted 10 years and didn't break on me in the water.  Doesn't look like it can be repaired.  I need a new one today.  Surf should be good with storms to the south of Long Island.  A storm will be here Friday, so I only have today, Wed. and tomorrow to get some swell.