On Safety:

The purpose of this slowly accumulating dump of knowledge is to help my fellow riders enjoy the stoke.  We are one community and I genuinely believe we have something amazing and unique with our sports which brings us together in a camaraderie of sorts, and that’s why I don’t want to see anyone get hurt because of information I provided.

It is important to know your own limitations as a rider and stay in situations you are comfortable with.  Always keep and eye on the conditions up here as they can change in a matter of minutes from placid and warm to chaotic and frigid.  The water temperature and proper gear is also something to pay close attention to and make sure you are always equipped for a swim just in case.  We have all had gear malfunction or other circumstances which put us in the shit, and the best thing you can do in that moment is have prepped before it comes.  Some of the spots I am going to list will require a sketchy launch technique or have other unique quirks to them and please heed my warnings.  Keep yourself safe at all costs and be comfortable with your self-rescue and other necessary skills to ensure we get to see you again and share the stoke and laughs.  None of us are immune and we are all here to help each other, so get out there and shred it responsibly!

On Ratings and Information:

I am going to paint with a really wide brush here in terms of wind directions you can ride as well as rider capability levels and such.  Some wind directions I will list may be sketchy and I will try and put optimal directions first.  When I hunt for spots on maps even the topographical overlays can be deceptive so when I get there I will try and feel out what different terrain seems to be doing to the wind and water and pass that along, but sandbars move and shift so always be cautious. I don’t care if you can do tricks or a quadruple mctwisty fly swiggy back slap, my ratings are based only on the spot and how effectively you can get from one place to another not your flat water pond prowess.  I have defined the levels of capability I will use below:

Beginner: Someone taking lessons or fresh out of lessons who is working on staying upwind and smoothing out transitions.  Requires someone else to launch and land you, but is proficient in self-rescue and other safety protocols.  If you are a beginner you should not be solo riding period.

Intermediate: Someone who stays upwind and transitions easily with a moderate understanding of water and wind patterns and how they react to different inputs.  Is proficient in buddy launching and landing, possible self-launching and landing, and well versed in safety protocols and exit strategies as well as equipped for the water and air temperatures should a long swim become necessary.  I still do not recommend intermediate riders going out alone but there are some spots you would probably be fine.

Advanced:  You can reliable self-launch and land be it utilizing drift launching techniques, a rig, or any of the other available options out there.  Your gear is consistently checked and maintained at a high standard and you have ridden many of the varying wind types we see up here in inclement weather conditions with sometimes poor visibility.  I shouldn’t even have to mention this but staying upwind is not longer something that requires that much thought even at a place like Rooster on days where the current wind are aligned and it is still blowing 40+.  You have a thorough understanding of wind patterns, tidal patterns, oceanic trends and feature input on both wind and water movement as well as remedial rescue and experience in double overhead or above surf.

Professional:  If you are reading this and don’t know if it applies to you it doesn’t.  The bees knees my dudes, the wild men and women who push our spot and eat mega-loops and seventy foot airs for breakfast and shit darkslides during their moonless night sessions using only their supreme knowledge of the wind and waves to guide them across the hammering surf.  If you have ever been overpowered and decided to sew two ikea bags together and head out on the 2x4 to throw boogie loops over a jetty because you just had to kite that day I am talking about you.  I can’t imagine any spot I would restrict you lot from because I am not a professional so not qualified to say anything.  Shred on brave Children of Poseidon.