Colorado Climber Needs Surfing Help From Ventura Climbers

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Messages 1 - 19 of total 19 in this topic

BigRob

Trad climber

Louisville, CO

Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 14, 2008 - 05:46pm PT

I am heading to Ventura for the week of Thanksgiving to visit my wife's family and I need some help/ advice. This is my fifth time out for this purpose and fifth time hoping to get out and surf every day of that week. Though nice folks, her side of the family does not participate in the activity?! I have a wetsuit but need a board. The only thing that appears to be for rent at the local shops are the standard foam top boards. I would like to rent/ pay-borrow a long board for the week. I thought about buying one and then selling it when I leave but the logistics of selling it from afar seem difficult. Any advice/ help is appreciated.

pyro

Big Wall climber

Calabasas

Nov 14, 2008 - 07:09pm PT

just get yourself a Robert August surf board. then you can surf anytime.(just kidding) that's what i want.
don't buy anything from Patagonia (not a good surf name).

go to Malibu surf shop they have a dozen or so for sale. (long boards for about $300+/-).

and remember the saying "you should have been here yestarday".
later dude, see you in the line up.

rockermike

Mountain climber

Nov 14, 2008 - 08:22pm PT

The surf shops I know (in the Santa Cruz area) all rent real hard top surf boards if you ask and are willing to pay the price.

But truth be known, California has a law against Coloradians surfing here. good luck.

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Nov 14, 2008 - 08:27pm PT

Good luck! I would let you borrow mine but it has already been taken by April to Baja Mexico.
If I were you, just go ask at the surf shops, patagonia and real cheap sports to see if anyone is willing to let you rent/borrow theirs. One thing for sure, Ventura is a friendly town so someone will come through.
AF

Double D

climber

Nov 14, 2008 - 09:06pm PT

Surfing Ventura...Rubican and possible not real fluent in the game?

If your right-handed, work hard on your left hook!

AllezAllez510

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, CA

Nov 14, 2008 - 09:52pm PT

Rubican? Ya mean 'Rincon'?

Hah, don't bother. If that place is firing over Thanksgiving you'll be competing with the best surfers in California.

Try demo-ing a board. It's more expensive and you have to pay for repairs, but you'll get far higher quality boards than foam-top kook sleds.

Good luck, you'll need it.

AllezAllez510

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, CA

Nov 14, 2008 - 09:55pm PT

Don't buy anything from Patagonia? Por Que? I've got one of their boards and the thing performs swimmingly.

Don't buy surftech popouts. Support the craftsman and buy AMERICAN!

BigRob

Trad climber

Louisville, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 16, 2008 - 12:02am PT

Thanks for info folks and the well wishing. Keep it coming. Are there any climbers that actually live in Ventura?

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber

San Francisco, Ca

Nov 16, 2008 - 02:40am PT

It's easy to get waves at Rincon. Most folks are so scared of pi$$ing off a local they don't realize there are really no locals there. Rent a board, paddle straight out to the best peak, enjoy. The real locals will get the best waves whether you are there or not and don't care whether you are in the lineup or not. At the other spots, if you are over 16 there is nothing to worry about. SoCal "localism" iza joke (except at PV- proceed with caution). I may be down down there with family too and will shoot you an e-mail if I am. Otherwise, Have fun!

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Nov 16, 2008 - 08:41am PT

Rincon is a great place to learn. The waves are softer, water more shallow, etc. The only thing is if your feet are not tough to handle the rocks, get some booties.
:)AF

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Nov 16, 2008 - 08:46am PT

There are a few climbers. I personally use to live there and I still visit often. Can't help it. Most of my favorite people live either there or very close by...
AF

east side underground

Trad climber

crowley ca

Nov 16, 2008 - 11:37am PT

"C" st is a much more friendly place to surf for beginners, If there is swell, and a low tide, Rincon can be very hollow (because it is shallow) and it is dangerous because beginners think it's a good place to learn.

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Nov 16, 2008 - 11:51am PT

I did learn at the Ricon. I know the sands have been retreating pretty badly over the years. The rivers have been damed, so the natural source for beach sand is no longer available to replenish the beaches. It is the reason that Ricon is getting so rocky, making the shoreline disappear. It also causes the waves to get a bit rougher than when I was a kid. I didn't know it was a "bad" place to learn. Then again... I also learned on a long board makes everything easier.

Anyway, to save Ventura's local beaches is just another reason why the Matilija dam needs to go.

Steve Grossman

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 16, 2008 - 12:47pm PT

Thank God for the rock, otherwise we would all be surfers- David Lovejoy

flamer

Trad climber

denver

Nov 16, 2008 - 01:26pm PT

Rockermike wrote:
"But truth be known, California has a law against Coloradians surfing here. good luck. "

That's funny because we have a law in Colorado against californians climbing here.....

josh

BigRob

Trad climber

Louisville, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 30, 2008 - 10:27pm PT

Thanks to all for the verbal support, particularly Anastasia. Let me know if you find yourself in Boulder. We'll show you around. I ended up buying a used board from Randy at Wavefront Surf shop, had a blast surfing all week despite some less than ideal waves. It turns out that Ventura also has a quality indoor gym called Vertical Heaven, possibly enough to keep a person occupied while they wait for swells.