Super Sunday @ The 'Con

[JonS]

Amazing how you can watch it build from 1-2' to 10-15' in a matter of hours...

http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/MT2H8938.JPG

[Cutback]

This swell just came up as fast as...

[JonS]

This swell just came up as fast as...

What? Viagra? Levitra?? :p


http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=437&stc=1&d=1203916229

[LiquidPix]

Wow Jon Wow, killer stuff you're putting up.

[JonS]

A nice little insider...

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=468&stc=1&d=1203991828

[□□□□□□□□□]

I'm just curious, what was the ratio of goofyfooters to regularfooters out on this day? I'm noticing alot of goofies in the pictures so far.

[Russell]

Looks like Blake Howard gets star of the year. That is such a killer shot and I heard from others he was the man Sunday.

[JonS]

Looks like Blake Howard gets star of the year. That is such a killer shot and I heard from others he was the man Sunday.

Never met him, but he certainly was the man of the hour.

So many images to futz with. I'll be going over them for days...

I took this one right before dark.

Solitude.

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=475&stc=1&d=1204001967

[lil' mermaid]

that's my fave ....thanks :p

[JonS]

Russell,

Can you make a positive ID of Blake Howard?

I've got this whole wave sequence -- maybe one of the best all-time at The 'Con..

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=496&stc=1&d=1204075062

[Simba]

My sources feel it was Blake Howard.

[LiquidPix]

Yeah he was unreal, all weekend as well as yesterday too.

[Frack]

http://a751.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/34/l_4be3e1ad0865fbd98f6f9dafc1aa8a56.jpg
http://a501.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/88/l_85c0c51cfafe678513ea875eb77ba44c.jpg
http://a201.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/26/l_0707c72e0a3b43ceaade856df2f9eb90.jpg
http://a921.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_968d4452b3400b7fec2bf4b6ac753148.jpg

[lil' mermaid]

very cool sequence. thanks for posting.:)

[Russell]

Russell,

Can you make a positive ID of Blake Howard?

I've got this whole wave sequence -- maybe one of the best all-time at The 'Con..

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=496&stc=1&d=1204075062

I expect Simba and Anthony know better than me but that is what I heard. I don't know him personally either I think he is pretty young. I heard from some good sources he was the man Sunday.

[JonS]

I expect Simba and Anthony know better than me but that is what I heard. I don't know him personally either I think he is pretty young. I heard from some good sources he was the man Sunday.

Thanks bud.

He most certainly was the man. He owned Rincon.


Welcome to the site Frack! Nice pics...

[carpjaws]

best to go to the source...SBSurfer, Carpjaws knows all the carpas crew, including Blake...Blake, works for Channel Islands at the factory in Carpinteria, let him claim is rightful due, hopefully...

[JonS]

best to go to the source...SBSurfer, Carpjaws knows all the carpas crew, including Blake...Blake, works for Channel Islands at the factory in Carpinteria, let him claim is rightful due, hopefully...

Cool. I need to know for sure so that I can give him credit in the next issue of BE.

[Russell]

Probably an easy way to contact him would be through Brian Aresco through the CI shop. I think Brian is still the Team Manager and they are both Carp locs so I expect Brian knows how to get ahold of him.

[Russell]

Some cool links at towsurfer.com on the Sunday swell including one that says it is Blake at Rincon. Any word on shots from the local towsurfers at Overhead or I heard they were at some cloudbreak by Mondos.

[tpl]

we were towing overhead, not outside mondos, although there could have been a team up there. Obviously it wasn't big enough to be the real deal for towing, but it was sure nice to catch 10 waves in one hour.

[Russell]

Pictures??????????

[Gebweb]

Russell,

Can you make a positive ID of Blake Howard?

I've got this whole wave sequence -- maybe one of the best all-time at The 'Con..

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=496&stc=1&d=1204075062

If I say will you cut with the rest of the sequence??

Yup that's Blake 4 sure. Spent time out there with him, both of us in awh. Just that he spent his time on top of the water while I needed a snorkle. He is an 'artsman' of a surfer. And a good personality deserving of his talent too.

Great kid - any chance you'll post the other shots

Laterz

[tpl]

G-pa is that you? Please say it is.

[JonS]

If I say will you cut with the rest of the sequence??

Yup that's Blake 4 sure. Spent time out there with him, both of us in awh. Just that he spent his time on top of the water while I needed a snorkle. He is an 'artsman' of a surfer. And a good personality deserving of his talent too.

Great kid - any chance you'll post the other shots

Laterz

Thanks for the confirmation!

I am a chronic back pain sufferer, and I'm having a dreadful time at the moment. It may take some time before I can get the shots properly edited. Please direct Blake to this site. I'd like to connect with him & CI if possible (in case they want the images)... Not only that, he is my hero. I saw him make several sections on this wave that appeared unmakeable. This was in the middle of a top-of-the-point ride to practically the call box. In my humble opinion, Blake has earned legendary status for his performance at Rincon this past Sunday...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif


I was working on this one before my back went off yesterday...

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=513&stc=1&d=1204338607

[Russell]

They're all pretty incredible but that one at the top of the Blog turning off the top is all time. Stretch that back and keep active at least walk; swim; keep it moving!

[shamgod]

Thanks for the confirmation!

I am a chronic back pain sufferer, and I'm having a dreadful time at the moment.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif


I was working on this one before my back went off yesterday...


My years on the LAFD wrecked my back and neck, makes surfing very hard. Tried massage? That's made a world of difference for me.

[JonS]

My years on the LAFD wrecked my back and neck, makes surfing very hard. Tried massage? That's made a world of difference for me.


Just had one yesterday, followed by acupuncture. I'm just one step away from bi-level fusion as all other interventions have failed miserably...

I walk and exercise regularly, go to Physical Therapy, get epidural cortisone injections, nothing works...

:-/

Thanks shamgod and Russell for your thoughts.

Hey click on the thumbnail image below ~ "Taking One on the Head"...

http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/thumb_MT2H9226.jpg (http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/MT2H9226.jpg)

[Gebweb]

Thanks for the confirmation!

I am a chronic back pain sufferer, and I'm having a dreadful time at the moment. It may take some time before I can get the shots properly edited. Please direct Blake to this site. I'd like to connect with him & CI if possible (in case they want the images)... Not only that, he is my hero. I saw him make several sections on this wave that appeared unmakeable. This was in the middle of a top-of-the-point ride to practically the call box. In my humble opinion, Blake has earned legendary status for his performance at Rincon this past Sunday...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif


I was working on this one before my back went off yesterday...

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=513&stc=1&d=1204338607

Hey SB Surfer

I'm sure you know the drill - think positive and maintain good posture in mind and body and accept a prayer from all who have suffered with back pain. Scrubbo (the nefarious but also talented 'TPL') and I will let Blake know ... in the mean time get well, those pics will always be welcome.

Blake was ruling the upper mid section, wisely kicking out before the oblivion - hadn't realized he ran the whole point with a wave like that! Simply supports our oppinions.

you take care

[Gebweb]

G-pa is that you? Please say it is.

Thanks for the kudos Scrub, and an interesting sidebite comment ... liken to a nuggie to the head for my kid. Let's hookup Blake when we see him, just don't pester him like you do ... else I'll post that Summa Cum Laude pic!
Now, to set the record straight, if it had been double that size out at the con, you would have been the only one out.

late mate

[JonS]

Here's another image of Blake I've been working on...

Seriously, let's see if we can reach an agreement on just how big it is.

What would you call it?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/jawdrop.gif
http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/_MT2H8948.jpg

[lil' mermaid]

maybe twenty....??????what say others. looks very B I G 2 me.:eek:

[Gebweb]

Ya know the saying - go figure

He is, say 5'7" (unconfirmed) = 67"

stooping over shrinks him about 6" to 61" tall, he is still reasonbly stretched out and too casual (what's he thinking ... eyes closed?:)

measure: bottom edge (waterline) of board is his heel to hairline (61")

wave max from white water below to tippy top may be the legit measure. I get 5 x this height almost exact at max crest.

that's 25.4 ft (25'5") - some 'stoop' error and I'll say it's not under 24' or 4X OH on big people.

have at it folks - this is the XXL of Rincon.
makes me wonder how big the bombora got in the later afternoon, I personally saw it up close and wet. Just a great vantage point confirmation of one similar by Simba of that same section.

I luvit

[shamgod]

Well, from my era we'd measure the backs of waves not the faces. I'd call this 12'.

[Russell]

Well before I moved to Hawaii it was an ego thing and supposedly the backs or the "swell" and we would call this 10'. I lived in Hawaii 72-82 and again a very conservative time for wave calling, in Hawaii this would have been consdered 8' back then. I have no problem with the modern call by face I just don't know how to do it. I like the OH, DOH, ETC. So what is this? 31/2 X OH????

[shamgod]

and we would call this 10'. I lived in Hawaii 72-82 and again a very conservative time for wave calling, in Hawaii this would have been consdered 8' back then.

I could go 10' on this too. And I second 8' Hawaiian.

I was always amazed how big a 4' wave could be. It could kick the crap out of you depending on the spot.

It was also typical to judge heights within a range--for example we'd say 8-10' or 4-5' instead of just 4'... Usually, not always. An imprecise science for sure.

[carpjaws]

sizing...when i was young, dumb and full of___, i read a couple of quotes (and i'm para phasing); fred van dyke said that big waves were measured in increments of fear and mike doyle said you don't ride the back of a wave...but once i put myself into those elements (in all the seven oceans i've surfed) there was another facet ominously missing, the juice...when you shake'um up and pour them out, blake should know that his accomplishments that day of riding "big" rincon will last him forever...everytime he recounts the memory, the story retold or a pictured viewed, he will get that rush, those feelings, again...props and good on ya, blake!

[JonS]

Another wave with Blake Howard. Going back again through my image files I continue to be amazed at how this young surfer looked so casual in the moment (when few others dared)...

http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/MT2H8957.JPG

[Gebweb]

"how big" results are in, looking for more
typical but provocative subject that unfortunately visits us too infrequently.

Dougie, you didn't actually put your thumb gauge reading on paper, but you read with alternate scale and offered the impact of the moment.

Well we have 8' Hawain to 4 x OH (in the bowl) which well might describe the entire ride shown in the couple sequence shots
Point taken that you can give a range to relay what is out there and what you eventually might have to contend with.
In small surf it helps you decide whether to sit outside and snag a big one.
On the other hand, in big surf, it helps you decide how far to sit outside ...

SBSurfer - are you allowed to weigh in? or doing your duty as provacateur? :p
luv the bredth of your new pic

welcome all

[JonS]

SBSurfer - are you allowed to weigh in? or doing your duty as provacateur? :p

luv the bredth of your new pic

welcome all

Well, since you asked....

One thing that has not been taken into consideration is the fact that I shot all of the images from the concrete landing where the call box is located, practically at freeway height. Had I shot them from sea level, they would most certainly have appeared much taller.

I started surfing in 1973, and when I did, the rule was that waves were always measured from the back. The problem with that system is that when the surf is big, there is not a direct relation to front and back. Notice how some waves - particularly reefbreaks - have very little on the backside (e.g. Mav's, Shipstern's), while the faces are monsterous.

In general, I find the body-heigth reference measuring system to be the most helpful. We all know what ankle-slappers look like, waist-to-shoulder-to-head-high, ...etc. Where it gets blurry is overhead.

I was at Ghost Tree this past December, and the biggest sets that day were called by the same guys who ride Todos and Jaws as 25-30 feet (70' faces). The Rincon waves were certainly smaller, but more consistent. Relatively speaking, they weren't all that far behind...

I'm calling the biggest set waves like Blake's 15 feet (at the peak height).
But then again, what do I know...?

:)

Glad you like the shots, btw.

[Russell]

Although my favorite is the turnoff the top because he has such a great style and it is soo cool, (and I can no longer do that) that one black framed off the bottom is also an all time classic!

[carpjaws]

jon, you've been sharing photographic techniques on other threads, recently, and i would like to make a request...would you post some of the Blake photos in their au natural, pre-morphing state? mahalo, just a photo junkie living vicariously through Blake and your photos of the day...i love surfing
props to all the bro's out that day at rincon and where ever, we'llremember the day...good on you mates, carpjaws

[JonS]

jon, you've been sharing photographic techniques on other threads, recently, and i would like to make a request...would you post some of the Blake photos in their au natural, pre-morphing state? mahalo, just a photo junkie living vicariously through Blake and your photos of the day...i love surfing
props to all the bro's out that day at rincon and where ever, we'llremember the day...good on you mates, carpjaws

For comparison sake, here is the same photo unedited.

Whenever you see a photo of Rincon, keep in mind that it is one of THE most difficult waves to shoot anywhere -- due to its physical orientation (SSE). Add to that the mist and haze that customarily accompany a big swell, and there you have it. The opposite, or best place to shoot anywhere on the planet would be on Hawaii's North Shore because you almost always have the sun at your back, the colors -- especially the water -- are so vibrant, and there is minimal "marine layer"... A surf-photographer's heaven with the unrestricted talent pool as well...

http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=523&stc=1&d=1204733318

[JonS]

Click on this link and then scroll through the model images through the day by hitting the "next" button.

The day started with a 5 foot swell height at 6:00 am. Withing 4 hours it was 24 feet...

Click Here (http://cdip.ucsd.edu/?nav=recent&sub=nowcast&units=metric&tz=UTC&pub=public&map_stati=1,2,3&xitem=get_model) and set the parameters to 24 Feb.

[Gebweb]

My ear is always to the ground. Check out the link below to the data behind the plots and you'll see a considerably larger readings for that So Calif Harvest model up to 32.8" @ 20 sec. Hell of a pulse.

This is great stuff
- I compared back to Big Wed and Big Fri (there's a bone of contention between buddy 'mud-duck' and I on which was bigger)

--------------------12/13/95-----------1/30/98-----------2/24/08
---------------------Big Wed------------Big Fri------------Big Sun

Harvest------------22.4' @17 sec------24' @ 20 sec------32.8' @ 20 sec
(CDIP Peak)---------------------------hand recorded

Pt Conception------27' @17 sec-------24.3' @ 20 sec-----27.2 @ 17.4 sec

East Buoy---------16.6' @17 sec-------no record---------17.4' @17.4 sec
-------------------------------------------------------dropped from 20 sec

check out Harvest history and plug in dates and times, look under Hs (cm) column and see the peak in centimeters (2.54 cm per inch). The spectral plots (above post) from Scripps which are derived off the CDIP data seem to average down the reading to 24.8' - who knows why or which to confide in ... but no matter, just is.

http://cdip.ucsd.edu/?nav=historic&units=english&tz=PST&stn=071&stream=p1&sub=data&xitem=product14&xyrmo=200803&xwait=2


PS: high tide was ~11:10 am @ only 4.1'. I'm certain to say if the swell peaked then and the tide was instead a 6-7' it would have been much bigger in the line-up sunday rather losing so much out at the bombora and much much more destruction on the coast - most don't realize this.

more fun

[JonS]

For comparison's sake, it would be interesting to throw in some of the more recent swell events to your analysis such as 12/4-5/07, 2/26/04, 1/19/05, 12/21/05

[tpl]

G-pa,
we need to go visit Mud-Duck one of these days. Maybe this weekend we'll cruise over his house with some suds and talk story.

[JonS]

Very interesting comments today on my blog. I don't mean to be obsessing on this swell, I just want to give credit where it is due (in historical terms). Check it out:

3/6/2008 10:15 AM Don Campbell wrote:
My friends and I have always used the
69' swell as a benchmark for Big Rincon. I think this swell was bigger
(and larger tha 83'-84' or 98')because
the "Bombora" outside reef broke more
consistently and even washed all the
way into the break which I don't think
has ever happened. I was 17 when I
paddled out for the 69' swell but I
decided to pass on Sunday. Steve Johnson, Jeff Boyd and some other long
time Rincon guys did it though. Good
job Blake, I saw you shredding. As for
size easy 15' faces with Blake on some
18-20' faces. I am sure if I was caught
inside on a set it would have felt like
25'.

DC

and

Jason Campbell wrote:
Check out these and see for yourself, bombora coming all the way through on the first one.
Look at the size of the cars in the foreground compared to the wave at tarpitz. it even looks bigger than the pier. you need to copy and paste in the address bar for each.

http://photos.surfline.com/view_image.php?pid=28505

http://photos.surfline.com/view_image.php?pid=28503

This last swell was amazing. Just look at the aerial shots of the 3rd reef Bombora at Rincon in the above link...

Also take a look at this image...
http://santabarbarasurfer.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=531&stc=1&d=1204869923

How long until you see this happen again??

[Russell]

No better authority than D Campbell, he was there in 69 and still out there most good days. He was 17 in 69 I was 14 so if he says this one was bigger I'm not arguing. Those shots by Jason are also classic, never seen the Tarpizs from that angle before.

[GRINDER]

The Swell Of 69 Was Big And Strong.
C St And Mondes Has Not Been The Same Since.(moved Alot Of Sand)
From Looking At Pic's Of 08 Storm It Looks Bigger.

[shamgod]

Great thread. The past, the present, it's all here...

[Gebweb]

[QUOTE=SBSurfer;2472]Very interesting comments today on my blog. I don't mean to be obsessing on this swell, I just want to give credit where it is due (in historical terms). QUOTE]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jon - Keep obsessing, these events are all too infrequent.

Donny shoots straight and and I'm so glad he offered his "give" on THE swell. In '69 I was a Jersey shore pinhead of 16 yrs and just picked up my first surfboard.

those air shots are shocking and really highlight all the evidence.

Scrubbo - let's visit mud-duck and check his pulse adn rev him up.


This is a marvilous graph capture from Sunday that is not archived - I'll have more later
Look at the timing of the top 2 graphs:
1. the faster waves (20 sec) arrive first
2. the size grows from that point of 20 sec arrival and stays awhile at 20 sec.
3. but during the rise in wave height, the period deteriorates to 17sec before the wave heights peaks at 10+ meteres (32 ft+):eek:

it is typical that height 'post peaks' the period ... it's just great to see it confirmed this way.

late folks

[Gebweb]

[QUOTE=SBSurfer;2472]Very interesting comments today on my blog. I don't mean to be obsessing on this swell, I just want to give credit where it is due (in historical terms). QUOTE]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jon - Keep obsessing, these events are all too infrequent.

This is a marvelous graph capture from Sunday that is not archived - I'll have more later


Well, super sunday got me goin - data junkie and all that. You may want to print out these graphs and try to strike a memory on these swells that hit our channel since '94.

I remember big wed '95 and big fri '98, I'm trying to remember 12/16+17/02 and just came back from Hawaii for 2/26/04 but can't pin an event on those two.

save these charts if interested - they're not rendered anywhere else...
(when printing go to page setup, above "print" and set all margins to .25)
laterz

[JonS]

Do you think this would make a poster anyone would want to own?

http://photos.surfline.com/albums/userpics/12387/BLAKE_2.jpg

[lil' mermaid]

Absolutely!!! great pic shafer!:cool:

[Gebweb]

- you softened the pic compared to your previous post ... maybe I like a compromise.
- although this is a better structured shot, I like the other labeled shot to impart that 'large effect'
- a local archive audience might like Blake's name ... but to a broader set of people it may be better to footnote him instead. I'm sitting here checking out the framing of the "Hawiian Classics - Sunset Beach" as a template.
- what are your thoughts on venue? - poster, bumper sticker, t'shirt?

have to show the wife - she's a graphics gal

fine shots, we're fortunate you were there.

[Russell]

For what its worth I agree with all that re gebweb.

[JonS]

- you softened the pic compared to your previous post ... maybe I like a compromise.
- although this is a better structured shot, I like the other labeled shot to impart that 'large effect'
- a local archive audience might like Blake's name ... but to a broader set of people it may be better to footnote him instead. I'm sitting here checking out the framing of the "Hawiian Classics - Sunset Beach" as a template.
- what are your thoughts on venue? - poster, bumper sticker, t'shirt?

have to show the wife - she's a graphics gal

fine shots, we're fortunate you were there.


Thanks for the feedback.

I always appreciate high-fidelity candor.

I was just thinking about a poster, but maybe also a tee now that you mentioned it...