Around The World In 80 Waves

I really like Santa Cruz. It is definitely my kind of place. Very chilled out, the weather is lovely and warm with loads of people going for a run or a cycle along the sea front. Epic surf right in front of the town. A big town but still retains a seaside charm.

It is also where they filmed ‘The Lost Boys’ the brat pack vampire film. Do you remember them hanging off this bridge?

It was also where Duke Kahanamoku’s 1st surf was enjoyed on the US mainland in 1910, and it is also where surfing was first seen in the US 25 years earlier when 3 Hawaiian Princes who were studying at a nearby military college decided to fashion some boards and practise their art so far away from home.

It is Surf City USA and there are skateboards everywhere, with all ages cruising down to the beach on them. Just about every surf stereotype you can imagine and then some more people who are all a bit out there. Crowds gather on the cliffs to watch the surfers ride by on the Steamer Lane breaks, and this huge stautue stands watch over the scene. A wonderful spot

My first impression of the hostel is that it is a gorgeous collection of little cottages and everybody I meet in my own cottage. (Stella from Germany, Hannah from the Netherlands, Sam from Reno in Nevada and Sophie from Australia) is up for a drink as soon as I arrive, so we all go out for a burrito and then on to a bar called 99 bottles (www.99bottles.com) where they serve 99 different beers. Drink all 99 and get a Tshirt and a placque on the wall. Ordinarily it would be a challenge I am up for but time is short in town and I don’t think my thirst will stretch that far in my short stay. I score 3/99 on my record card. Very poor!

The next day I visit the surfing museum under the lighthouse at the point which is the first section of Steamers Lanes, Santa Cruz’s most famous break. Inside the museum I am staggered to see that there is a local shaper called Bob Pearson who has shaped Mavericks competition winning boards (under the brand name of Pearson Arrow boards) and has been inducted into the shaping hall of fame. Laird Hamilton, all round board sports legend, is even one of his sponsored riders! Bob was also rated the number 2 pro surfer in the United States back in 1976.

I have to go looking for the bloke and soon find his surf shop but sadly have just missed him. His nephew gets him on the phone but a family function prevents him from joining me and talking to me about boards. He sends his best wishes for my trip and missing him is probably a blessing in disguise, because I would only have wanted to buy a custom Bob Pearson surfboard from him and I dont need two boards for this trip. Instead I treat myself to some Pearson surf merchandise which just has to be done. I do however know where my next board will be shaped! 🙂

I wouldn’t have had room for it anyway because my roof rack issue is still not sorted. It was tiresome in San Francisco now it is just an annoyance because I want to set the bug up for long term travel and I cant do any of that when a board is taking up all the space in the car. Over the phone when I called from San Francisco the hostel said it would be fine to mail something here before I arrived or indeed even before I bought the part I need. I then gave the hostel address that was suggested to me over the phone to the supplier, only to arrive and be told that I should not have been told I could mail stuff and that they are not willing to check their PO Box because I shouldn’t have sent something there even though they are responsible for it being there!! They have one more day to produce the part whereupon they will see what Arsey with a capital A is. I am warming up both barrels. 🙂

I didnt feel like going surfing today but enjoyed watching the locals for hours enjoying the fantastic point break which is Steamer Lane. After a while I went up the coast and stumbled across a marine research institute which has a small aquarium at the front, where I was invited to stroke a couple of Swell Sharks (so called because they suck in water to make themselves swell up and look bigger when threatened.) They are not so tough. I reckon I could easily have them. Quite a busy day in the end and am glad of turning in. Good night folks.