Visiting the Big Island brought a lot of Hawaiian history to my attention. First piece of history we saw were the Kailoka Petroglyph Fields. Actually, we were staying in a condo right on the fields, so it was easy to walk to. These fields were all over the place, and there was even a 32 mile horse trail filled with petroglyphs.
I enjoyed figuring out what the pictures represented and walking in the volcanic ash. It was totally like walking on another planet!
Happy Saturday readers!
So surfing can be a very selfish sport. I mean, I check the surf report multiple times a day, adjust my schedule to tides and pretty much obsess about my next surf session.
So I found this meme today I wanted to share with everyone from hotswell.com
Happy Valentine’s Day!
So this past week, my husband and I took a vacation to The Big Island in Hawaii. We were also there to celebrate my birthday, which happened to be a BIG birthday. I guess it made sense to go to the BIG island. We decided to stay in Kailua Kona, which is full of lava fields, and it pretty much felt like a different planet.
The Big Island isn’t known for it’s surfing, but you can surf there, I mean there is a coast. It’s just not lined with surf shops like Maui or Oahu. It’s mainly rocky which isn’t a difference for me being a Santa Cruz surfer. I did have something interesting happen to me on my birthday, which I wanted to share. The surf report wasn’t that big, so I wanted to go to our local beach break. It’s a beautiful inlet with somewhat of a beach and comes equipped with lifeguards, so I went to talk to the local surf shop. Now, this isn’t my first time surfing somewhere else, and it’s not my first time surfing in Hawaii. I know the rules, and I’m well aware I’m a guest, but usually I don’t have an issue. I just make casual conversation and mention I’m a Santa Cruz surfer, and that breaks the ice. For those who don’t know, Santa Cruz surfers have a reputation of being SUPER AGGRO. Well, that didn’t work this time. They were pretty much turned off by me from the beginning. They were worried about broken boards and the rocky terrain so they wouldn’t rent me out a board (they also denied others), and just to put icing on my birthday cake, told me to go to Kauai where the “surfer girls” go. Surfer girls in this context was said in a negative way.
In the past, I have written on how “surfer girl” could be a derogatory term if used in such a way, but in the past year, it’s also become a term I really enjoy. The people I surf with use it as a term of endearment, and as multiple FEMALE surfers have said, we have all been called much worse in the water. Needless to say, I didn’t surf on The Big Island, and I wasn’t going to rent a board where I’m not welcome. Now, I didn’t let it ruin my day, and sadly this won’t be the last time I run into this, but it makes me appreciate ALL the surfers I know who believe men and women can surf.
But hey, I can still cross step and noseride on my board right? 🙂
Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
I was nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by Crafty Surf. I always enjoy reading this blog and learning creative ways to enhance my surf life. As per the instructions, here are the rules and explanation of the award copy and pasted below. Thank you again to CraftySurf.com for nominating me!
What is a Mystery Blogger Award?
The creator of this award, Okoto Enigma, says “It’s an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion.
The Rules.
Three Things About Me:
Here are my questions from Crafty Surf:
Coke or Pepsi?
Usually, Coke but on the one made with real sugar. I also prefer bottle as well. Unless, it’s a Slurpee from 7-11. Then cup is fine.
Miami or Orlando?
Miami seems more fun. I also can relive the Will Smith song “Miami” while driving. This is a plus!
Apple or Samsung?
Well, it’s Samsung now because I married an engineer who likes to program his own things. Used to be Apple. I am literate in both technologies, and pretty much a geek.
Chips or Chocolate?
Chocolate, not much of a chip person. Now if there are pretzels in a room, that’s my go to snack.
Sand or Snow?
Definitely sand! Surfer Chicks Unite!
The Nominees:
My Questions:
This is my favorite post, not necessarily a good one 🙂 Wipeouts, Workouts and Warrior Poses
*I am not a yoga instructor, just a practicing yogi. I added links to Yoga Journal and Yoga Merge to explain poses.
I have been struggling for a while to find a studio that fits my needs. Most of the studios I have been finding around me, I’m just not clicking with the instructors. Of course, they are top notch yogis, but it hasn’t been working for me.
After a couple of months of trying out different studios, this week, I finally just gave up for a while, and decided to indulge in home practice. I decided to start this morning, as I was in desperate need of a yoga session. This past surf session really tightened up my hamstrings, and overall just sore.
To start my home practice, I always start in Hero Pose or Virasana. Now, this pose never came easily to me until I started to make an effort at it. I started by sitting on blocks, and now I can sit on the floor, without them. It was definitely a long process. Then I moved to Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B today. I didn’t feel like more floor movements, I wanted to get up and stretch out my legs. I also did not do full Chaturanga’s today, my shoulders are sore from surfing, so I find that knees-chin-chest, is just as good.
After my Salutations, I went to Lizard Pose. Now, this for me, is a pretty intense hamstring opener. I do like to stay in Lizard Pose for a while. I then moved to my handstand, which I just like doing because it’s fun.
All in all, this was about a 30 minute practice session for me. I would love to know what poses y’all like and dislike?
Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
So, as most of you know, I’m a Santa Cruz surfer, which means the water is about 50 -58 degrees. A wetsuit is a must because of things like hypothermia. What are not always used are booties and gloves, your feet and hands might get cold but nothing extreme will happen.
So the other day, while I was doing some yoga stretches and dry pop ups it dawned on me; I can feel every part of my foot. I haven’t surfed without booties in Santa Cruz in a long time, and my booties tend to be extra thick and padded. Great for ankle support, but not great for feeling your feet.
So, today was a surfing day. The swell was fantastic! 5-6 feet and most beaches, long period swell ans chunky powerful waves. We’re gonna get hit with an XXL swell by end of the weekend (maybe even Mavericks will happen next week). With the weather 65 degrees, I decided to go without booties. I wanted to see if it hurts or helps my surfing ability.
Guess what? Totally did better without the booties. Of course the water was freezing, but I could really turn into the wave. And not to mention after surfing my feet were freezing! Guess that’s why Uggs were invented 😁
~Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
For years, I have been storing my surfboards in not great locations in our homes. Against walls, one the ground, in bags, and the places go on and on. I even kept one in my car for awhile.
I desperately needed a surf rack. My loving creative husband decided to build me one instead of buying an expensive wooden rack.
He took some spare wood we have (he’s making a table), built a box against our garage wall and presto surf rack.
I put insulated cardboard on the bottom on the box to keep my boards safe. I still want to add sections to the box for each board and secure it better to the wall (you know earthquakes) but it’s working for now!
~Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
We’re going to Hawaii! I’m celebrating a milestone birthday, so what better place to celebrate than Hawaii. So excited to surf, hike and snorkel. I’m probably most excited for the surf to be honest.
To get myself ready for those Hawaiian waves, I have been surfing as much as possible. I have also stepped up my cardio and yoga for strengthening.
Readers, do you exercise prior to get ready for vacations?
~Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
Well, this holiday didn’t really go as planned. My husband and I were supposed to be on our way to the mountains, but since our puppy got sick, we stayed at home. At least, she is doing much better!
We decided to redo our holiday plans by relaxing at home, cooking and baking holiday food, and we treated ourselves to some holiday shopping.
Yesterday, I was treated to a holiday surprise from craftysurf.com! See the pic below 🎄🎁
I love surfing Santa’s this time of year!
Wishing all my readers a very happy holiday!
~Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
Every since I was little, my mom and I would have movie marathons. These were the days before “binge watching” was popular. Our movie marathons were usually actor based; John Cusack and Anthony Edwards were always at the top of the list, but needless to say, my love of movies started young. I guess that’s also why I got my B.A. in film and video technology, but that’s another story for another day.
Now, there is nothing wrong with holiday movies. I already watched all the ones I wanted to; Home Alone, Scrooged, Gremlins (yes, it’s an x-mas movie) and Christmas Vacation. Since I ran through the holiday movies, I decided to have a surfing movie marathon.
Now, not all the movies I would classify as “works of art” but fun to watch at least. I started with my go to favorites Blue Crush and Chasing Mavericks. Blue Crush is awesomely bad, but the female surfers are fantastic. Oh, and I might have watched Blue Crush 2 as well 😁
Chasing Mavericks is another favorite. It was actually filmed in Santa Cruz, where I surf, and it is a biopic of Jay Moriarty and Frosty Hesson. I always find is amusing to watch movies about locations I am familiar with. Fun fact: I actually met Frosty Hesson about a year ago surfing Pleasure Point…cool ain’t it?!
After these two movies, I decided to watch a movie I had never seen. I watched The Endless Summer by Bruce Brown. Amazon put it on Prime since he died, so I figured as a surfer I should know this movie. What I found so fascinating about it was Bruce Brown was shooting surf footage just like people capture on their GoPros now. Pretty revolutionary for a 1966 film maker.
I finished my marathon with Point Break, the original with Keanu Reeves. Another awesomely bad movie, but fun at the same time.
What types of movies do you like to marathon?
~Namaste
Scrappy Surfing Yogi
Scrappy Yoga 