Outbreak, the Rogue's notes.

8 a.m. Castles (38th). Plenty good clean fun to go 'round. 6/28/2015

   Finally happened. After weeks of small surf, a semi-strong front combined with fifteen knot southwesterlies brought an outbreak of waist to chest barrels that loaded the break up and down the O. City shore. Sunday AM (that's right, another early morning) saw me scoping the traffic jam at Castles. Sweet A-frames met my blurry eyed gaze, and it didn't take long to find myself set in the lineup staring at the horizon.

"What's so good about surfing? It provides an opportunity for people

 who have never met to talk to one another and share experiences"

  -Chris B., Florida

That many out there, it isn't hard to strike up conversations in between sets. Anywhere from a job managing a marina pumping gas, filling slips, catching the local fish tales, to "with the strong rips, why isn't it modified today?" to a sarcastic "sharks, everywhere sharks!" Yeah, days like yesterday come with rip currents that prove a convenient fast clip to the lineup. And, recently the Shore got a scare with a few shark sightings including a 10 foot hammerhead that cruised the surf and ended up in the bay. Add it all to the fresh attacks down in North Carolina, and everyone's a bit antsy. Didn't keep me (or the rest) from slicing across a few frontside walls. Didn't stop the Atlantic's hands from shaking the $hit outta me a couple of times either. I reckon it all goes with the territory. Oh, and the water's now in the low seventies. Less rubber. More flex. I like it. All of it. Good times.

Last week's remnants. Knee skinners at 47th. 6/25/2015

   A couple of badass brews to raise a toast with this time around. Baltimore's Raven Beer pulled over from Nagold (that would be Germany); Tell Tale Heart IPA. A citrus lovers beer full of the hoppy grapefruit notes that good IPAs are known for. Easy malt start and a better not bitter bite to the finish. 50 IBUs proves out the robust flavor. 7.25% ABV will cut your ass down if you don't pay attention...so says Edgar. Pours a deep red-amber with a finger and a half head. Thick lacing. Rated an A-.

 Michigan's Bells Brewery has an American Wheat well known during the Mid-West's summers. Oberon Ale. Aromas of lemon and oranges in a wheat field. Spicy, citrus- orange peel taste with a light hop re-fresh on the tail end. Pours a cloudy light orange with a white one-finger head. An excellent choice to finish the day's club battles with. Rated an A.

"All good things in life start with
's'...summer, sun, sex, beer..."
-J. Wisenhunt

Not a cool sight to paddle out to...10ft, 800lb. Hammerhead in
 OC's surf earlier this week.      -Dispatch photo.