Thanks to the Tropics
When you turn on the weather channel or tune into your favorite local weather person, we can’t help but notice the blobs of thunderstorms swirling around in open waters.
The first glimpse of organization and a projected path get nerves fired up and twitching. Even though these masses of tropical energy wreak havoc, surfers are always extra curious to see how close it will make it to home. Personally, I like the excitement and unpredictability of a storm in the Gulf.
Last month, the flat spell haunting Galveston was finally broken, thanks to a couple tropical systems that developed in the Gulf. Tropical Storm Lee traveled north into Louisiana, sending a bit of swell our way with a lot of wind as well. The surf was less than ideal, but it was ride-able and gave us a chance to get our gills wet. The strong northeast winds pushed a small swell down the beach in the waist high range and followed with strong north winds blowing it flat the following day. Mid-September saw another small storm swell traveling off the coast of Mexico and blessing our coast with a clean, green and fun groundswell lasting about three days.
The difference between the two storms was the proximity of each to our island. Lee was much closer, which enabled the winds of the system to wrap around and blow the surf out. The second storm was much further away and its winds did not affect the waves at all, which is ideal. It simply pushed clean swells up the Texas coast, making for classic, small conditions.
September is always the month that flips the switch on our hurricane season and the tropical machine gets to turning. Hopefully we continue to have activity in the Gulf that stays clear of our coastline. The only thing we want from storms are waves, and maybe a touch of rain. Fall will continue to bring wave consistency as cool and cold fronts make their way south and begin sucking up an onshore breeze. I’m excited to get much more water time and knock the summer rust off.
October has a couple great events happening in the surf world as two surf contests kick off this month. The Johnny Kicks Cancer Surf Contest begins its waiting period October 1 and will have the competition the first weekend with contestable surf. Rather than put a date on the event and risk surf quality, the contest will take advantage of the earliest and best wave conditions. The JKC Foundation is a tremendous charity supporting cancer research and is in memory of a special young man who is constantly remembered for his courageous spirit. Johnny Romano will always be in the hearts of the local community and beyond.
In addition, the TGSA (Texas Gulf Surfing Organization) will hold the second stop of the season October 14-15 in Surfside. This will allow many local surfers to compete with surfers from around the state and try to bring home some chrome. It’s always a good time when you can surf all day and have a weekend dedicated to surfing and the beach, so come out and support your local surfers. Check www.tgsa.org for event status, as the date is tentative depending on wave conditions.
Until the next swell, watch the blobs and pick out your best bet for surf. Stay stoked and get wet when you can!
