I love Thanksgiving! A real holiday for a surfer. The idea of showing up and eating has hit my core values. Although our waves on Thanksgiving have been a bust over the last few years (6 it's been reported by local sources), I have scored great waves over the years on T Day. There are some rules, decorum and to do lists to survive this day with success.
From Surfline
LOCAL NORTH SAN DIEGO SURF FORECAST (Surf sizes are face heights of the front of the waves)
Thursday 11/26 SURF: 1-2 ft - ankle to knee high occasionally 3 ft. and poor to fair
conditions.
Friday 11/27 FAIR TO GOODSURF: 3-5 ft. - waist to head high and fair to good conditions.
Possible, new WNW swell builds in; Thanksgiving according to Wetsand, But Surfline is telling you to bring out your log.
Who Cares either way, you have to surf this day! I have successfully surfed almost every Thanksgiving since I was 13 years old and done the family thing too. Here are the rules:
1) Do not leave San Diego
(Pic from National Lampoon Vacation)... unless you are going to a surf destination. We live in San Diego if your relatives need you to come to dinner with them in Kansas they have things backwards. The last time I left on Thanksgiving it was 4-6 foot and 80 degrees and I got in a car with my 1 and 3 year old boys to drive for 8 hours to Nor Cal OUCH!
2) Pick your time of battle.
Most Thanksgiving meals start between 3-5 meaning you have to surf before noon, which brings us to rule 3.
3) You need three hours to surf.
My coaching is that you go from 8-11am. This gives you time to get up early and do something before you leave..offer and complete three chores before you leave (watch the young kids, get out the tables, go to the store..etc.) You can still be back by 11:30 showered and ready to help.
4) Do something.
You should know how to make some dish. Don't do the Turkey that is advanced and too time consuming. Make mashed potatoes, or a green been dish or some gravy. Have one thing you can do that is conspicuous and keeps you from getting the look like you have not done anything. If you can't make something bring something good. Buy the expensive wine, spirits and real Coke (not Diet) for the kids.
5) Manners!
I Know you have been up since 5am and surfed three hours, but this is one day you can't plop on the couch holding the clicker in the fetal position with your blankey over you. You have in laws and relatives you only see once a year. They will talk fondly of you during the year to your spouse. This investment is golden like you shorted the bank stocks in July. When your wife calls her relatives and friends to complain that you spend your weekends on the couch post surf with blankey they will stand up for you. Make a good impression, offer the older people drinks right away, hold small children.
6) Be interested not interesting!
No one cares about the good left you got at Cactus Wall this morning! Really! Save it for Friday in the lineup where your friends will understand. Logan told me he started his first year of Middle School trying to hang out with his old pals from Elementry school However once he found the surf team, why hang with anyone else when you are 12 years old. His team mates will be able to tell tall tales of surf and surfing over and over again to eachother with the same stoke as we used to. Your family does not want to hear it again. This day is a great dayto keep your family stories alive.
7) Drink Early not often.
The buzz you get around 4:45 will keep you going until 7. But you can't get hammered. This is bad form especially with children and the parents around. Not being able to hold your liquor is like bailing your board while paddling out on a small day.
8) Let the Family Feud Go.
