SurfingHainan.com

So I was wrong about our destination. Simon, Pete, and I headed to Shimei Bay, which is about 30 km south of Wanning, and only 100 km from Sanya. Shimei Bay is probably the best known break in Hainan, getting exposure last year during the 720 Surf Competition. This years competition, which started yesterday, was meant to be in Hainan, but about a month ago plans were changed, and it was moved to somewhere in Shenzhen. Not exactly sure why, as Shenzhen is well-shadowed, and can't possibly get the waves Hainan does, save for a freak typhoon swell. As it turns out, the waves in Shimei Bay today were garbage, and I'm sure Shenzhen even worse.

After having a few decent sessions at Longlou over the past few weeks, it looks pretty flat for the weekend. I think a few of us willl head down to Xinlong, east of Wanning, come Saturday morning. I haven't been out that way yet, but have heard great things abut it. There are some proper point breaks, which are meant to have really long rides.

I've been keeping myself busy in the absence of waves. Got a new crank wheel set for my bike, and finally found a store with some record players for sale. I ordered a Midi keyboard off of taobao, and thus should put the finishing touches on my home studio when it arrives.

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

??????????????????????????????????

I was a little dissappointed on Friday. I was hoping for some overhead surf, but I think the swell from Paeng had already started to fade. The surf was still pretty good. Had a few head high bombs, but nothing was lining up that well. I took the bus down to Wenchang, and then another to Longlou, after work on Friday. I met up with Jose, Hiroshi, and Hirsohi's friend Yohei, visiting from Tokyo. After they left, I got a room at the hotel so I could surf Saturday as well.

Paeng has weakened, which is good news. She is predicted to hang out in between Paracel and Pratas for a whle longer, before losing strength and moving southwest towards Vietnam. So not only will we avoid what could have been a nasty direct hit, we should also see some really clean surf. Her rain arms most likely won't even hit us. Head high for the next few days. Have I said yet that I am in love with Hainan?

Looks like Longlou will be the call for me this weekend. Or I might get a ride with Hiroshi down to Wanning. Either way, looking at an even better weekend than last. Stay stoked.

Sunday wasn't as big as Friday, but still fun. Better beach day in general, with the sun making more of an appearance. Pete drove a few of us down. He is opening Haikou's first legitimate traveller's hostel, which should be ready for business within a month. www.haikouhostel.com

A short clip from Sunday

?????????????????????? ???????????????

Yesterday after work I went down to LongLou with Hiroshi and his wife. Good waves. Shoulder high on the set, thick and crumbling. The kind where you can have a cup of tea during the pop-up. I didn't get too many pics because my camera died (of course), but did get this short video. As you will see, my left bottom turns are crap. You should have seen the one right I had!