"It's like the mafia. Once you're in - your in. There's no getting out."
- Kelly Slater, Pro Surfer -
Am I an insider? Am I "in?"
It takes a little while to be accepted as a "regular". After hanging around "Old Man's" for the last five years, I think I have almost made it. At least, the guys I see there most days treat me well.
It takes a while to be accepted.
Image courtesy of Lance Asper and http://unsplash.com
Many of the regulars are retired.
"I've got Monday off" I'll say, "it's Labor day."
"We don't get it off anymore" someone will respond, "we're retired."
I see Glen almost every day. He has been a real friend to me. When another friend gave me a used surfboard, Glen gave me an old leash to hook it up with.
"Good work, R.D.!"
My friend R.D. has been bringing his grandson out to surf every once in a while. "Get them started early," that's what I always say!
Dan is a young muscular guy who is a real artist on a long board. I am amazed at the waves he will go for and get. He has a cute puppy dog named Foca, which is Spanish meaning "Seal".
Dan’s dad Keith is a fireman.
His schedule lets him spend some entire days at the beach. He has always had kind and encouraging words for me.
Chave shows up rarely from somewhere up north. He is a Christian and we’ve had some interesting discussions.
Then there’s the kayakers.
They are a nice bunch, many of them active or retired policemen. For the most part there is an attitude of "live and let live," no matter what kind of device you may be riding. Bill even let me use his kayak one day, and, amazingly, I caught a wave and rode it!
"Get them started early."
Image courtesy of Lance Asper and http://unsplash.com
Those are just a few of "The Guys."
I wrote this story some years ago, when we all used to surf at "Old Man's" just south of the Carlsbad power plant.
I wonder how my guys are doing these days?
FIN
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