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Captain: |
Frank Albert Westgate (Panama)
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Surfers: |
Lisa Anderson
(USA)
Caroline Saran (FRA)
Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Chelsea Georgeson (AUS)
Rosie Hodge (SAF)
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Scientists: |
Dan Reineman
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Location: |
Caribbean
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February 13th
The winds back off a little today,
finally. Jeff and Martin did the
early morning surf check and
radioed ahead to get the Indies
trader on the move with a call of
three foot semi clean waves. A
jump of excitement rattled the
boat as we headed out. As the sun
burst through the clouds the girls
were straight into the lineup, an
entertaining little show from the
tinny. Most waves ever caught in a
session award goes to Rosie Hodge,
nicknamed “grommet” she was
definitely proving herself amongst
two world champions.
After a while the wind chopped up
the face a little bit and the
decision was made to go in for
some tucker and check a right
which will be offshore. We reached
the cut, but the tide was too much
on it so we decided to shelter
ourselves in a quiet little bay.
We were told by one of the locals
that around the corner were old
cannons underwater consumed by
time, maybe a good thing to check
out when the surfs flat. It seems
these islands were like a pirates
crossing, or a sanctuary. Martin,
Sofia, Jeff and myself went back
to check the right and were
greeted with 3 foot right-handers
peeling against slightly offshore
conditions.
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The Champ, Sofia
Mulanovich
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Sofia
with a clean face.
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Part
of Lisa's tailslide snap.
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We radioed ahead and told the rest of the surfers to get there gear ready and
we were out there. Some impressive surfing went down especially by Lisa
Anderson pulling a move reminiscent of Tom Curran’s famous snap at Jeffery’s
Bay. Lunch disappeared in a matter of minutes, and contentment surrounded the
boat. But the day wasn’t over with one more surf session in mind. Back out to
the right-hander, a little low but some fun ones. The session ended with Frank
Westgate’s Panamanian walrus call and Jeff and Mike singing something about
working on the railroads. Three surf sessions in one day, not bad for day three
of trip 72. A big happy birthday to Melvin Hornbaker from the Caribbean.
February 19th
Early rise with an early decision to go check out a small island about an
hour motor away. The island in mind has been known as one of the best places
for bird watching. The closer and closer we got to the island, the more
beautiful and desolate it looked. Surrounded by water that resembled an
aquatic fun park and puzzled reefs to add contrast. Rosie and Chelsea spotted a
small righthander and decided to take the long boards out for a bit of fun. |
Lisa decided to
explore the island by foot, while the
other girls decided to try their luck at
wakeboarding again. Once on land, you
get the eerie feeling that not many
people set foot on this island. Maybe it
was because the whole island was covered
in overgrown bindies, or what other
people call pokies, or thorns, or stars,
never the less they hurt and there wasn’t
just a couple, there were bushes.
Chelsea found another little wave, but
on the other side of the island, it
would rap around a sand point and run
parallel with the beach, creating a long
little wave. Lisa disappeared around the
other side of the island and wasn’t
back till after lunch. She brought news
that she had found a wave, a small
lefthander with a similar set up as
Snapper Rocks in Australia. Eyes were
enlightened and anticipation absorbed
the boat. We decided to go and check it
out. This place was beaming with
potential, such an amazing set up; the
wave broke along a sand slope leading up
to some caves and archways. The girls
were stoked and surfed for a good two
hours, ripping up this fun new wave.
Later that night the naming of the wave
was made by Lisa, “LA point”. Truly
a true Crossing day, with a decision to
go check an island and a discovery of a
new wave. Let’s hope tomorrow morning
brings us more discoveries.
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Rosie Hodge aka
"Grommet"
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Chelsea at LA Point.
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Caroline Saran on the
latest discovery.
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