May, 2002: Surf Ugly @ OB




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May, 2002: Surf Ugly @ OB

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El Rollo Boogie @ OB

One of my mantras is "Surf Ugly!" There are several reasons for this motto and attitude in the ocean:

  1. There are a lot more ugly waves in this world than beautiful waves. Surf the ugly ones, and you will get more sessions, and more waves.
  2. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Surf ugly, and you'll do better when you encounter perfect conditions
  3. Crowds suk! Lots of folks avoid ugly waves, leaving them for the hardy surfer. Like uncrowded conditions? Learn to surf ugly!
  4. It's good for the soul! Shredding in ugly conditions will make you feel GUD!

Frontside major Ugly


One day in early May, I cruised the Great Highway through The City, and stopped to take some pix of some ugly surfing at Ocean Beach. Cold, windy, choppy, small, crowded, man it was a heapin' can o' bad surf! And my buds think I surf ugly! I got nothin' on the surfers in these pix.

Boogie is Best to the Left


Ain't Dissin' OB

Ocean Beach has many faces and moods. I don't mean any disrespect to the place, which has its share of good waves and conditions. This particular day was just as you see in these pix. The boogie guy seemed to be doing the best out there.


Closeout Left


In fact I have nothing but admiration for these surfers. They worked damn HARD for the crappy waves and rides you see in these pix. Sure wasn't EZ out there!

Nice carve going Left

Try it, You'll Like It

Next time the conditions threaten to send you home dry, try surfing ugly! Let me know how you do, and if you feel better for it. It's not for everyone, but if you can get into it, it'll open your surf horizons for sure. Send your surf ugly stories to the DogMan, and I'll include them in part II of this column in the near future.

Caught in the act.


CU Out There,

DogMan


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