The surf I had must have been amazing this past weekend, because Karma’s been kicking my ass since.
The weekend surf session
Arriving at the coast to see the wind blowing lightly off shore; not moderately onshore, as the forecast had predicted. Chris 1 – Karma 0.
I donned my wetsuit and quickly but carefully prepped my camera gear. Balancing the need to get down whilst the tide and wind were good, with the need to make sure my camera was safe and set up correctly.
Me and my brother then opted for a shortcut across a field. The recent rain had made it mad slippy, and after a couple of falls, I arrived at the beach looking like a cyclocross rider. I politely declined the offer of a tissue from the beach shack lady – to clean my camera gear – in the knowledge that I was about to submerge myself in the North Sea. Although I’d fall short of saying this would ‘clean’ anything.
What a cyclocross rider looks like, for those who don’t know.
My first steps into the water are always tentative; ensuring my camera housing is water tight as I go. The ones which followed were somewhat faster as I hastily made my way into the impact zone.
It didn’t take long though before I was heading in the other direction; back to shore. My housing began to mist up and on closer inspection I could see water inside. Signalling to my brother, to let him know I was safe, I made my way in. It took me longer to get to the beach, than I spent in the sea.
Making the most of a bad situation
I ran back to the car and quickly switched my damp camera for a board; a bodyboard on this occasion. The session which followed was the first on a sponge in years. It was fun; there were barrels, el rolls and a bit of drop knee. The surf was actually perfect for bodyboarding; the mixed up swell and offshore wind created a natural skatepark.
After the session, having missed out on the water shots I initially intended to get, me and my bro trawled the coastline for a bit so I could snap some shots from land.
I also looked forward to the fact that I was scheduled to be back in the sea a couple of days later. So could make up for the lost swimming time then.
Karma had other plans
The next morning my car was struggled to start and the engine management light was illuminated. A day later and a lot of big words I didn’t quite understand from the local garage and I need a new engine chain – or something – so I won’t have a car for a week! No surfing. No photos. Karma 1 – Chris 1.
I knew the surf I had was good, but to be hit with such expensive bad luck, so soon after, it must have been really good!
Below are a couple of my favourite shots from the day. All, and more, are available to purchase as prints or downloads from the full gallery.
