Back at work after a long weekend spent in Tofino. I have to say — I’m a little bit sunburnt, very sore, and I still haven’t had a chance to wash the salt of the ocean out of my hair yet. But I feel great!

Here are some photos from our trip…

We stopped by Second Wave and the Sitka store in North Vancouver last week… Allan is looking for a new surfboard. I’ve heard both bad and good things about the Sitka surfboards (because of where they are made, in South America even though they are a Victoria-based company)… but I was pleasantly surprised by their new designs this year. Looking good!

The new Sitka store in North Van has lots of clothing and their famous hoodies of course. I love my yellow Sitka hoodie! Their entire store is made from reclaimed or recyled materials! Go check it out.

After the long ferry fiasco on Thursday — Oh BC Ferries, you suck — we headed out on the long drive to Tofino. By now we are used to it, but I remember when I used to get car sick from the twists and turns and how long it felt. Now, I love it!

There was snow on the highway on the way to Tofino. Brrrr… an indication of cold things to come. Surfing while there’s snow still on the ground.

In Tofino, the park’s always hilarious (but useful) Wave Hazard sign alerted us that the waves were “EXTREME!”. It just meant big waves for us. This weekend definitely had some of the bigger waves I’ve surfed in Tofino in a long time. Or maybe it felt that way because I hadn’t been back in the water for a while.

I was really stoked to drop into about 3 of the biggest waves I’ve caught yet on Friday at Cox Bay. Cox was definitely going off. There were some really pro surfers in the water, so definitely intimidating, but I still had a great time. It was great riding down such a steep wave. Surprisingly good conditions for Tofino.

Saturday it got even bigger and we headed to Cox again, but the waves were a bit messy. I got pummeled quite a bit, but I managed to catch a couple waves. Need to work on those paddling muscles… snowboarding all season doesn’t help those And it was cold… I needed my winter suit (5 mil) with gloves, boots, and hood just to stay warm. I could only stay in about 2 hours before my feet and hands went numb. They didn’t thaw out until I got in the hot tub. It usually takes about 30 minutes before I start feeling pins and needles in them again…

We had a nice cabin rental in Tofino, which is always great this time of year when it is super cold. This is the view from the living room, you could also walk down a wooden bridge and get into the hot tub at the end, overlooking the inlet. Gorgeous!

The weekend was filled with cooking, playing Settlers of Catan, Taboo, and relaxing in the hot tub.

Kim brought her dog Kona out as well, and we also played with her quite a bit on Chesterman’s. Chesterman’s was a bit small and not very exciting surf-wise when we were there, so we just hung out on the beach.

I was surprised to see so many tourists with rental boards out so early in April!

Didn’t see too much wildlife… just a few birds here and there, and a seal in the ocean beside us. In the summers you can usually see deer, bears, and lots of water creatures.

Long Beach was also blown out, but you can kinda see what the waves looked like this weekend. A bit messy, big, but still surfable. Long Beach is my favourite beach to surf at in the summer.

I was also glad that the weather pulled a fast one and stayed sunny from Thursday to Saturday. Sunday it got a bit dreary and rainy but we really lucked out.

Spring is coming, and soon the surf trips will begin in earnest. I can’t wait.

In other news, the Canucks start their playoff series against St. Louis on Wednesday and I am very excited. One of our friends is a very big St. Louis fan so there’s a lot more invested in this series than just the Canucks! We have to slaughter them. Wednesday I will begin my jersey wearing until the Canucks are out of the playoffs.

Stinky jerseys, here I come!

All this sun and lack of snow (and a lackluster snowboarding season in terms of snowfall) is making me ache for the ocean again. It feels like it’s been a long time since November, and I’m dying to get back into the water.

I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get to go surfing this winter. It just didn’t factor into the finances and snowboarding was on my mind. I am planning to go later this month or early April, so the freeze factor will definitely still be there.

Although I definitely consider myself a winter lover… snowboarding… ice hockey… skating… and Christmastime… there’s still a part of me that looks forward to spring every year. The sunshine, the Canucks in the playoffs, and the excellent surf.

I miss Tofino.

I have to admit I’m looking forward to the summer this year…

Heading to Tofino… one of my favourite breaks and lookouts, Flo Bay..

I purchased my first surfboard a year and a half ago… I love my 7’10″ Red Al Merrick Water Hog. Now it looks all used and covered in wax… but it’s still my baby and it’s still beautiful

I love surfing with friends in Tofino… I love Long Beach… especially when it is big surf and just right in the spring…

I love building fires on the beach…

I love all the beaches, even Chesterman’s when it is small and easy and fun in the summer…

I love the peacefulness of the inlet…

I love heading out to the water a few times a month for several months, getting out there when I can… even though it never seems like enough.

I’m looking forward to getting better at skimboarding…

I love finding free hidden spots to camp in the woods…

I love surfing road trips with friends!

I still remember one of the first waves I ever caught… it was super tiny at Long Beach and all I could catch was the white wash. But it was still fun. And so the adventure began!

I DO NOT miss lining up for the ferry every weekend. Oh, if only I lived on the Island…

I love the sunsets off the back of the ferries on the way home… even though it never quite feels like I’m at home when I’m away from the wildness of the Pacific Ocean and Tofino.

—-

On a completely unrelated note, I just reserved my copy of Resident Evil 5 for the Xbox 360. YES! SO EXCITED!

Photo Credit: Capcom and Microsoft