thanks for another AWSOME trip everyone.
I trust everyone made it home safe?
Post your pics and stories here.
Ok Chris where are your pictures…
Sting Rays, dophins, red fish,bluebig fish, every body out this day.
Front- clouds rolls in and swell jumps up to fun size the next day… Just needed to paddle out one more time.
STOKED !
Lavarat and unknown foamie rider get a big one-
This guy should get some kind of award. We watched as he took four big set waves on the head (we talking 15 foot faces ) and kept trying to paddle out. We were saying he'll figure it out soon and catch some white wash in. But there was a little lull and he keeps paddling out. But before he could make it out ANOTHER double overhead plus set looms on the horizon and catches him inside again. Four more on the head. But he never gives up and finally caught a left in. Then he gets to the beach and we see he's riding an ancient little 6-6 (approx) foamie. Hardcore-
I don't think these pics give yhou a true sense of how big the waves were. But if you've surfed Sand Dollar you might get an idea. Notice the waves are breaking even with the second set of rocks.
Notice the two specks towards the right of the wave in this next pic. That's Lavarat and Chris P. Lavarat said it was "peaceful" out there.
Two wounded warriors after surfing the biggest waves I've seen there-
Sneaker sets. Came in while everyone was still asleep. This is from this morning (Sunday). Actually I was there even earlier but didn't have a camera and saw the most intense purple color in the dawn light. I ran back to camp to get the camera but by the time I got back the colors had changed. Still a moody shot.
Had a great time as always. I think Ian had the SandDollar Special- the 9-6 Mair. Handled the little day and the big day with equal grace.
thanks Ian!
my pics didn't come out for some reason???
hahaha, glad you got some!
Right on Jeff!
The guy on the 7' foamie is named Deeyes (spelling???) he was there a couple years ago surfing the same foamie. He had his choice of a probably about 50 surfboards and chooses that foamie. Really great guy to talk to. About the board, he says "it's a challenge" and it "puts you really deep"… On the big day, I saw him pull in on an inside closeout after riding probably 50 yards and making sections. charging!
Bernie…note that your 8-0 Griff made it up there and out in the surf on Saturday when it was good sized…Ian even had some Griffin g10 fins (what are the odds of that?)…I got pounded pretty nicely the first time out (just two of us in the water) but then managed to catch a couple of rights on it the second time I went out. Ian rode it later… not sure who took it out Sunday?
We had a fantastic time visiting with everyone this year. It's been a while since we've attended but everything seemed to slide right back into that comfortable groove as soon as we arrived. The boards, food, drink, conversations, food, drink, drink…uh, ahem. And the SURF! Holy Smokes! We didn't arrive until Friday evening so I guess we missed the fun playful surf but boy was Saturday an eye opener. Mrs. Pato managed to capture a few good shots of the maniacs that decided to paddle out. I'll post them later. Like Lillibel said, it's hard to get a sense of how big it really was out there without seeing it in person. At one point Ian, Chris and Diaz were the last in the water. Each time a set would roll in, they'd scratch for the horizon and just kept paddling up, up up the faces. Bravo!!!
We met some new friends; Joe and Mark M.and Mrs. Pato met some new girlfriends Sat night at the fish feast. Which by the way was abso-fricken-lutely the best camping experience!!! Hats off to 'The Boys' for raising the bar a notch or three. 
Even cool/wet weather couldn't slow things down. Although I did manage to bring home a nice chest cold. Note to self (don't ever forget to bring rain gear to Plaskett.) Thanks to Ray for the emergency back up foul weather gear, poncho…hefty bag. And Mark, those chorizo, lobster stuffed mushrooms were the bomb!!!
El Patito and the real Lillibel were attached at the hip. It was good to see them pick up their relationship as if they'd never been apart. I also have to give Jeff & Sonia a huge THANKS for letting us crash their camp spot. It was just like the old days. Oh, and John M. gets huge props for offering and setting up the emergency rain fly at our camp.
I've been on hiatus the last year from making boards but now, thanks to this get together, I am highly motivated to start building again. Besides, I sold my 8 ft gun last year which technically leaves enough space for me to make a replacement and I'm sure as hell not gonna try to paddle out in that size surf on a 7 footer.
Well we did it again. I had another great time. Friday I surfed more than I can remember in one day. At least 10 different boards. Once again the food, fun and games keep improving around the camp site.
Once the surf tripled in size I was sidelined but I still had an amazing time. As far as I know my crew made it home safe and more importantly the police man that met us sunday for brunch drove home alone too. See you guys next year or sooner. Darren
Hello All,
My wife is asking for help to find a woman she met this weekend at the gathering. The person is short with long curly brown hair and a vivacious personality. She's very open and friendly but most important, she was looking for somebody to help her with her non-profit org in the Ojai/Vta area. (I believe she may be from Central Ca.) She was hanging out with the girls that were next to the 'fish feast'. If you know her or might now of someone that can help us reach her, we would greatly appreciate it. This is for a good cause and could be another Swaylocks life changing event.
Thanks for your help!
Maybe if she contacted the camp host, or recreation.gov? 1-888-448-1474.
I know who you are talking about. She was with another girl, tall thin one? I didn't get either of their names though.