Sunday, May 03, 2009

Not surfing in the rain any more?

WavLOG
The Rain Topic. Rain in May?


Gosh, it is already May and it is rather strange to see the rain at this time of the year in Northern California, and also very unusual South wind pattern that goes with it. Typically around this time of the year, we start to get NW winds and fog developing. And I thought that it was going to be a short days of rain but it looks like it will continue for several more days.

It has been an on-going joke among us that if one of us would utter "I am not going surfing because it's rainy out." The usual response is that "why not, you are going to get wet anyway."

True, but I think that I am going to think about that for a moment.

The reasons why I'd not feel like going out in the rain.
  • It really still feel so much greater if it is nice, warm and sunny out.
  • It is really a hassle to change when it is raining, and when it is raining, it usually also is storming to some extent. It is nice to come back to dry and sunny situation, hang around in the parking for a while after surfing. When it is pouring, it is amazing how the towel soak up the water so fast. It is amazing to the extent to think of amout of the water that come down to a small square footage where I stand. Multiply this by the size under the rain cloud, that's a tremendous amount of water we are talking about.
  • We always worry about the run-off. Especially in San Mateo county, I am a bit worried about (but may be not 100% warranted) lots of horse ranches there and all of the stuff on their ground... At any rate, whenever it is rainy and stormy, the water looks murky and stirred up a bit.
  • If it is really pouring, we know that sewage plants might overflow....
So these are the reasons sometimes I do avoid water when it is rainy.


4 comments:

Growling Gecko said...

Well, in the main though, we are lucky it happens to be a wet weather sport!

Gloria Riola said...

I hear ya, but think it totally depends on what kind of rain it is... If it was the first day of the storm, mildly sprinkling and no wind out, maybe I'd go out (I believe that was the case last Friday?)...if I can psyche myself against the feeling of staying in during cold dreary weather. I've definitely had some good experience surfing in the rain - sitting in the warm waters of Hawaii, with a beautiful view of the island in front of me. That, I'd do again! :-)

Cynthia said...

Well, if it keeps the crowds down, bring on the rain!

Unknown said...

All right, I will post another one.