October Swell From Nowhere!
An unusual weather pattern generated some exceptional October surf. While it is not unheard of to have some tropical action still this late in the year, this non-tropical swell was a bit of sneaker. The Pensacola buoy topped out with 16.7 feet at 9 seconds. The wind remained steady out of the North all day. The outside sandbar at Blue Mountain Beach was working great, so long as you could get through the punishing inside to get out there. John Cross and I put in about a mile down the beach anticipating a strong drift and were rewarded with some excellent waves. Here is a link to the shots: http://picassa.google.com/midbaymedia/2008_Oct24#
Destin Harbor Stand Up Paddle Surf Spooktacular!
| Oct ’08 |
| 30 |
| 6:00 pm |
Join us at the Harborwalk in Destin for a creepy good time! On Thursday October 30th, one hour before sunset, adventurous souls will be stand up paddling along the harbor front in full costume. After spooking the fishing fleet, we’ll enjoy the haunted house and other festivities with friends and family!
Join us…unless you’re too scared!
Video from Last Year:
Stand Up Paddle Fun Day
Filed under: Announcements, Events, Stand Up Paddle
| Oct ’08 |
| 26 |
| 1:00 pm |
Who:
YOLO Board, WAVE 102.1 & Scully’s on the Bayou
What:
YOLO Board Winter Stand-Up Paddle Series Kick Off Event
When:
Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 pm (race starts at 1:30 pm)
Where:
Scully’s on the Bayou
200 Eglin Pkwy NE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
For directions, visit www.scullysonthebayou.com.
Details:
NO ENTRY FEE! Please call 850.622.5760 to sign up your team! Divisions for the race event include: 4 person co-ed adults, 13-18 youth open, 12-under, individual shootout, short distance and buoy course. Prizes for division winners! Open demo after races.
See you there!
Memorial Paddle Out for Robbie Aldrich
| Oct ’08 |
| 6 |
| 5:15 pm |
Memorial Paddle Out for local surfer Robbie Aldrich.
Date: Monday, Oct. 6th 5:15 pm.
Location: Ft. Walton Beach Pier (East of ‘Howl at the Moon’ nightclub.)
Waterman’s Gathering / Surf Movie Night
| Sep ’08 |
| 26 |
| 6:30 pm |
Join us this Friday night, September 26th, 2008 at 6:30, for the second of our Fall Season “Waterman Gatherings.” We’ll be meeting at the Gulf Place Artist Colony, right across the street from Ed Walline Park on 30-A (map).
Bring your own guitar to pick a couple of songs for us or, if you have any surfing home video, bring a DVD to show off on the big screen. This is a family friendly event so choose your material accordingly and we’ll all have a great time. (Promo of some local footage.)
We will be featuring a presentation of the Yolo Board Standup paddle board race series slideshow. Also a presentation of video and stills from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Chandler Williams of Modus Photography will be showing some of his excellent work!
The Artists Bar will be open for business if you would like beer or wine and there are several restaurants on the property for pizza, sandwiches or fancy food. Picnic style is just fine too… there’s plenty of room to spread a beach blanket and just chill with friends!
Current forecast is for clear skies and cooler air. See you there!
YOLO Stand Up Paddle Race #5 Report
Filed under: Announcements, Events, Stand Up Paddle
| Sep ’08 |
| 18 |
| 6:00 pm |
Well, last night we enjoyed the final race of the YOLOboard Stand-up Paddle Board Race Series. And what a beautiful race it was! We could not have asked for better weather as the air was noticeably cooler and the Gulf was emerald green and smooth as a lake. The venue at Seaside was just right for this finale of races and Bud & Alley’s restaurant provided a fitting beach-side lounge for the slide show and awards presentation.
The racing was again competitive. In the Ladies division YOLO came into the race with a 9 point lead over Walton Wahines in the overall standings and three of the ladies teams were within 4 points of each other. For this race it would be Team YOLO-litas claiming the prize for first! They were followed by the Waterbabes, then YOLO, Walton Wahines and Kitty Hawk Kites.
The overall Ladies Championship goes to the YOLO women. Second place, the song I just can’t get out of my head…YOLO-lita’s! They are followed by Walton Wahines, Kitty Hawk Kites and Waterbabes. Way to go Ladies!
For the Men it has been and was again, a nailbiter! Teams Aqua and YOLO have been working hard at eachother through out the series. Aqua has placed first 4 times and second once. YOLO just the opposite with 4 second place finishes and one first. The points difference between the two teams coming into the race was only 4 points. Behind these two powerhouses in the series has been a consistent RYNO team with 4 third place finishes. Destin Health, Sunset Beach Services and Surfrider have been swapping middle of the pack honors and arrived with only three points separating the three teams.
The Men’s race was fairly evenly paced with RYNO leading the pack until the final seconds as Gary Wise delivered a Knock out punch, catching a roller for a wave ride to the finish line. If not for that wave he would not have been able to catch RYNO, the race was all but finished. We know our lifeguards have a keen eye for surf conditions, rip currents, and sandbars, but this one takes the cake. Talking with Gary afterward, he says he had spied that roller earlier and actually decided to take a wider path coming down the last leg in hopes of catching one in. Great job Gary and congratulations to all the competitors!
The spectacular finish threw the points standings into a mess with Team Aqua and Team YOLO coming out even for overall first place honors. We’ll be firing up the chainsaw to split the trophy unless a custody arrangement can be made. Team RYNO broke their streak of thirds for second place in the race but remains third in the overall final standings. Rounding out the overall was another tie. This time an equal fourth place to Surfrider and Sunset Beach Services. Fifth was Destin Health and Fitness. Sixth an absent this race Team ROV . And, Kitty Hawk Kites and Amavida Coffee tie for 7th.
This paddleboard race series has been such a success, I’m certain the next series will bring more competitors and a whole lot of fun. Speaking of which, we have several fun events in the works so check back for event postings.
Next Friday evening at Gulf Place we will have another “Waterman’s Gathering”. Again we’ll show home surf footage on the big screen and feel free to bring your own clips or slideshow in DVD format. It’s a casual, family friendly event so bring a soccer ball for the kids to play while you kick back with us and relax!
Also, start getting your costume ready for the “13th Annual Surf Spooktacular” Stand-up and Surfing Halloween costume contest! (date and time T.B.A.)!
