It was a dark wintery solstice morning. Upon leaving the house, I check the wave app – Mmm, looks like an average tide. So, I decided to go to a very nearby beach, easy and possibly find some sanderlings. I gathered my camera bag, put on my knee high welly boots, and made my way down to the beach. It was dark enough for my headlamp. As I walked down the path toward the beach, I could hear the waves, smell the sea air and see the misty horizon. The waves and sand were full. I thought to myself that It would be a good surfer’s morning. Heading eastward down the beach, I only traveled about 30 meters before noticing a quiet fast wave come past me. My initial thought was that perhaps I should just stay and not trek on… But instead, I continued. I decided to follow the path of a local surfer who had just walked by.
The waves were full, but manageable as I tried to stay close to the high tide area where the sand met higher rocky terrain. I reached a beautiful point near the surfers. There were only a couple at this point. I’m not good at estimation but could tell that the waves were unusually high and yes… just beautiful. Just as I was thinking of getting the camera out of my pack, I saw water out of the corner of my eye – a quiet yet fast moving high surge. As I scattered toward the higher rocks, the wave caught up and surrounded me on all sides. All I could think about was my backpack with my camera gear – but the thought had occurred that I could actually be pulled away into the ocean. I shoved my hand into the rocky incline and braced my body over the rocks in hopes that the camera bag could be saved on my back. With the surge upon me up to my ribs, I stabilized both feet and hands as best I could and hope that the back wash did not take me with it. Well, I made it, completely soaked but still on land. With my wellies filled with water, I did my best to slosh my way up to dry rocks. My gear bag was still on my back sandy and wet but protected from the elements. I guess this is why I like a good bag (Thank you Shimoda!) – well work the investment!
I knew I could not stay in this location. Besides, there was no place to empty my boots and my hands were full of sand – no way I could even touch or open the camera bag. So I started back toward the beach access point. It took quite a while but eventually made it back, emptied my boots, took off my gloves and wiped my hand with a rag from my bag. I was planning to go home, but one peer at the ocean caught my attention. It’s too beautiful to go now…. So I decided to cautiously take out my camera and just take 1 or perhaps 2 images. I stayed for another 1.5 hours.
Surge days are beautiful, but need to be respected!
Enjoy your solstice season and longer days ahead!