A way long time ago, I had to memorize something, for some class I was taking in school.

When: I can't remember.

What class: It wasn't math or science.

What school: Who cares.

WHY did I have to do it: For the grade.

And the worst thing is, why do I even remember this one line, from something:

"Cripes, what do mine astonished orbs descry, is that ghastly specter the old man?"

Anywayzzzzz-

Old men seem to be on my mind pretty much - maybe it's because now, I am one?

I was thinking -

What if a Moses type surf character - the ghastly old man - wandered the beaches of the world and passed out surfing's version of the Ten Commandments?

Kinda like:

1. Thou shalt not desecrate the holy places - the beach, the ocean, the parking lots, the bathrooms.

      1a. Honor thy Father and Mother Ocean.

      1b. Remember thou shall keep any day thy surfs as a Holy Day, and thank God that you are able to surf.

2.  Thou shall learn to swim in the ocean, and how to body surf and how to recognize dangerous water and surf conditions...

      2a.  Thou BETTER learn how to recognize that advanced surfing skills are needed to surf successfully at certain beaches, and thou shall learn how to surf at beginner friendly beaches, for example:

the hawaii channel.com:

"Big surf with waves up to 16 feet pounded the south shores Wednesday and that kept lifeguards busy."
"It was fun conditions for experienced surfers, but caused some hairy situations for rescue personnel, and bodysurfers."
"For us, it means: please, no beginners out there. We want experienced people,' lifeguard Bill Goding said."
"Lifeguards conducted 350 rescues on the South Shore and another 75 on East Oahu shores."

3.  Thou shall learn how to paddle around the take-off zone and not through it.

      3a.  Thou shall learn how to hold on to ones board, and become strong enough to never (or hardly ever) bail the board during the paddle-out.

      3b.  If thou is paddling out, and a surfer is taking-off on the same wave that is getting ready to break in front of thee, rather that paddling for the shoulder and getting into the path of the surfer, YOU oughta learn how to take the wave on your head - kinda like take it for the team -

4.  Thou shall learn that if the waves are good, there will probably be a group of good surfers in the water. This group may not be as understanding regarding foolish behavior in the water as the group of beginners with whom you came to the beach.

5. Thou shall understand that one does not take-off in front of his brothers, especially if the brother is already up and riding across the face of the wave.

surfshot.comsez (my comments in bold italics)

Breaking all over the beach with consistent sets on the two main spots, south and north of the parking lot.

Very long rides, sometimes sectioning, but very fun 1-3ft sliders.

Waves size: Knee high

Sets size: Waist high

Sets Interval: 4 to 5 min

Surfers Out: Over 30 guys

Wind: Calm

Weather: Mostly Sunny

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6-25-03
The best place on the coast - please go here - stay here!

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* All of the tales I'm spinning are based upon facts of some sort.
* Most of the tales will be at least 50% factual.

1. It's an easy way for me to organize my "autobiography" so my kids will know a bit more about me.
2. I find this computer and internet stuff fascinating.
3. I was lucky to be able to start surfing - at least in my opinion - in the "Golden Age" of surfing - I do have some yarns to spin regarding those times.
4. This is an efficient way for some of the old guys to touch bases again - I've received a few e-mails from old (err, long-time) friends I've haven't seen in forty years or so - I think that's way cool.
5. I'm still surfing almost every day - and, at least in my opinion - that's a pretty "boss" thing to write about.
6. I think it will be nice, in a couple of years, to maybe look back at how good - or bad - the surf was in any given stretch of time.