Is It Spring Yet?

This Winter has seemed to drag on endlessly. Even though we have'nt had to deal with much snow (except this week!), it seems like it's been frigid since early December.

I'm definately ready for a change.......

Some of my travelling buddies are away for yet another sojourn to the warmer climates. It leaves me thinking....... this time of year in the Caribbean can be fickle but you can also get some unreal surf. The trades start to return to their normal SE direction and also start to diminish. The days start to get dramatically warmer........ the tourists leave! The slow life seems to get even slower......... What am I doing in NJ?

Unfortunately it's also the time to start to gear up the store for the upcoming Spring. New gear is just beginning to arrive. It's time to spruce up the joint.......

We're getting our Surfboard orders organized for their Spring deliveries. We've added lots of new designs to the Surfboard section in our online store. There's some new Epoxy technology from GSI...... SLX construction........ the strength and durability of epoxy without the excessive stiffness and lack of feel. The SLX will be available in the McTavish, Walden, and Webber models. Go to www.surfindustries.com for more info. If you're thinking about getting a new board for Spring, now's the time! We have orders in with Erie, Local Motion, Hank Warner, as well as GSI....... we're more than happy to talk with you and hopefully design that "magic" board for you!

Be sure to stop in and pick up your "Locals Only" card for 2009. You can save 10-15% on every purchase this year including Surfboards, Bodyboards, and Wetsuits too!

We're very aware of all the difficulties in the present Economy..... it's been very tough for us too! That's why we're making even a greater effort to bring you only the best products and best prices. As always, don't hesitate to ask us to help you with that Special Order or hard to find product...... the Staff is here to listen and help..... if not, please let me know!

Don

dt@easternlines.com

Sunday September 28th L Jetty Avon

After a pass to the east by Hurricane Kyle as it made it's way quickly North, we awoke on Sunday morning to a foggy, glassy large ground swell. Early the Surf was still a bit unorganized with more close-outs than not. Several groups tried to hit it, but it didn't appear many waves were being ridden.

Afternoon found a lower tide and more organized cleaner conditions. It didn't take long for the masses to realize that locally Loch Arbour and the L Jetty would be the call.

At Shark River Inlet sets were breaking completely across the Inlet, making for some crazy boat action trying to get in and out. To the North at the L big peaks were breaking with bigger sets frequently catching everyone inside. A few brave souls actually paddled out the Inlet rather than risk the inside section.

Many great rides were had...... Tip O'Neill, Justin Brahn, Shaun McGrath and Terry Tagliarini were all getting some of the biggest ones

Brian Dalton and Mike Griggs showed up on a ski and got a few good tow-ins..... their first attempt ever! Brian got one of the mackers way outside and rode it for nearly two jetties!

Monday June 4th...............

Thanks from a quick pass-by of the remnants of TS Barry, we were treated to a clean head high swell late this afternoon as the Sun came out and the wind went offshore.

The crew at 18th Ave were pleasantly surprised by a guest appearance of world class NJ legend Dean Randazzo. Of course Dean turned everyone's head as he continually caught the best waves to roll through. Dean has been around our parts frequently lately. Hopefully he'll continue to show up when the Surf gets good!

O'Neill Braggers Cup April 29th Casino Pier Seaside Heights........ 17 of the very best shop surf teams in the Northeast duke it out for the Braggers Cup Crown!

Eastern Lines Team

Brian Dalton

Jack Murphy

Brendan Buckley

Luke Mitchell

Check it out!

Big Monday April 16th, 2007

My good friend and travelling partner, Admiral Stockdale told me that early Monday morning was probably the largest ridable surf he's ever seen in NJ. In fact the waves in OG were brushing the bottom of the pier. I took this shot of 18th Avenue later in the afternoon when the tide had begun to come back in. I was told the pier in Belmar was crowded due to the easy access of paddling out the Inlet. Even though the Surf became smaller throughout the day, the wind also slacken, making the surf much glassier...... It's really a shame the water temps are still in the low 40's!!!!!

Back in NJ!

After nearly a month in the Tropics Our lowly band of travelers has pretty much returned to cold old NJ...... The surf for our trip ranged from days of flatness to solid overhead North groundswell which lasted for days.

My good buddy and travelling partner, Admiral Stockdale had the highlight of our trip occur at Apple Bay in Tortola. After arriving in St Thomas, the Admiral was in the water within an hour, catching those thickies........ After two days we ventured over to Tortola, hoping the days of surf had quieted the crowds. We arrived at 10am to solid head high to overhead sets and light offshore winds, and only 9 guys out! Within minutes we're on it, immediately right in the pack, but getting into the set waves. After a bit two guys paddle down to Bomba's and a dinghy pulls up and picks up the remaing surfers (all on a boat from Dominica). We look around and we're suddenly alone. We don't say a word to each other but set up to trade off the set waves......... After numerous waves and still no one else out, I paddled over to Danny and said "So what do you think?" Danny replies, "This is fucking insane!!!!" as he paddles into yet another overhead wall. The frenzy continued for about two hours, when a couple other guys finally paddled out. To be honest, it was the perfect ending...... I couldn't really even paddle anymore, so we went in for lunch and Red Stripes!

Welcome to the Tropics!

The leaves on the trees are beginning to to show us those beautiful colors that we surely know will soon lead to cold & snow. That means it's time for many of us to begin our annual pilgrimmages to the lower latitudes. Crazy Michael, Santa Claus, and Big Bruce have hit the BVI and I've returned rto my usual haunt in St Thomas. There are no waves yet, but hopefully the deepening of the Cold Fronts will signal good days to come. Just prior to our arrival, the entire area was deluged with up to 8" of rain from a tropical low that just refused to move for nearly a week.

The large amount of rain has caused a mosquito feeding frenzy. No going out without some bug protection!