January was an amazing month for waves along California’s coastline. After what seemed like an eternity of flatness, the charts finally starting showing some color, and surfers shook the cobwebs off their boards and paddled out. These are some of my favorite moments from January.
The Real Winter Wonderland: January in California
Before the marathon session of swell arrived, it was extremely flat with sunny skies. The free diving was great, especially when it provided dinner. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Conner Coffin at Rincon. The lineup was mechanical perfection for days and gave plenty of time to set up and enjoy. After doing 15 turns on each wave Conner kept paddling out saying “that was fun.” Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Jimmy Gamboa at Rincon riding his trusty single fin 6”8 Klaus Jones, having a flashback to surfing heavy Kirra for the first time while ducking under someone going past him over the falls. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Life is temporary. I love how all these reflections and shadows are unique and completely related. Derek Hynd and I once stumbled upon a band playing in the streets of France at night. He turned to me and said “Any one of these guys could stop playing music at any time and it would NOT affect the music.” There was no synergy, it was chaos. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
This wave looks like it's having a good time. I love it how the mass of water turns into tiny drops. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
The grace of a pelican flying through the lineup catching waves we can't ride. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Dolphins graced the Rincon Classic this year. The kids on the beach were especially intrigued. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Surf Check #43. Yeup, it’s still rideable. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
No Hassles, no worries.Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Paddling back out and the swell keeps pumping. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
This make me want to paddle back out and get inverted on a long high line drift. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
A warm sunny day at the beach is a like a vacation to a dream land. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
I love riding bikes. Before surfing BMX biking was everything. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
A good pintail and a hollow wave are a wonderful thing. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Conner Coffin surfs so fast I had to guess where and when he would appear on this wave before he was gone to the next section and the next one after that. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Dane Reynolds perfecting the double arm drag to stay high and low. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Lakey Peterson power snapping with grace and finesse. She reminds me of Andy Irons and Tom Curren. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Sean Woods. Rumor has it in Huntington that Slater claimed Sean is one the best under 18-year-olds around. The control he kept while spinning through this turn sure did help back that up. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Sean Woods and a couple of good friends sharing the session and looking to see what the next set brings. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
Trevor Gordon surfs more than most people I know, and his casual style is much more precise and connected to the waves' speed than the average bear. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
My wife Val, paddling back out into the serenity. Photo: Aroyan/lowtiderising.com
