While February started off slow, it ended with some really fun waves and surprisingly warm conditions for the season. I hadn't gotten in the water three days in a row since summer, so that was nice. I surfed alone, or with fewer than 5 other surfers in the water for most of my sessions. It's so nice to stretch out and not be crowded.
Looking back on the past two years I'm actually off to a better start in the first two months of 2017 as far as wave count and quality goes. I've currently logged 49 waves to this point and I've got more touchdowns than most of last year's total. February 24th scored me 4 rides longer than 100 yards, one for 181. Last February I had a 300+ yard ride, so I didn't break any records, but it's nice to cruise on my log for long distances. The sensation is indescribable.
I snapped a few pictures before and after paddling out each morning, I posted those in a gallery below. I'm an early bird mostly. I'm usually finishing my session when the typical NE surfer arrives to the beach. I just like to watch the ocean wake up with the sun. It's an amazing spectacle, and different every time.
Looking ahead the forecast is calling for March to have some wind on it. Not really a surprise, Winter and Spring are always riddled with onshore winds on the east coast. Hopefully I can find some wind protection and squeeze a few sessions in before work gets busy at the end of the month. I'm taking 20 students to California for a Journalism convention and competition for the entire last week. So I need to get in the water before St. Patty's day to give myself enough time to keep this streak of waves going.