Flo' Rider, session notes from the Rogue.

Ridin' the whip; outer bands of Hurricane Flo'. Feelin' the groove of the 47th Street break, 9/12/2018.

Ride baby, ride
Hold on tight
'Cause you finally get your chance
To ride the whip tonight
-Trixter
   No more rakin' the knees. Time to rip into it. Tuesday was the day. Waited until Wednesday. Never know until you go. Still had three to five foot swells. About chest high consistently. Could argue whether the waves were semi-clean or not. Some were. In between the chop. Hurricane Florence, the sixth named tropical storm of this year, on a course towards the Carolinas. About two to three days out. A dozen or so in the lineup. Between a waning low tide, and a rip...easy trip out. No localism, no real fight. Plenty to go 'round. Water still in the mid-70's. Air in the 80's. Very comfortable night. Swell was more of a point break. Equidistance shoulders both left and right. Found myself going after the faster rights. Still not the most comfortable on the backside. That was my regret for the sesh...no backside grab. Yeah, big fail. Hurricane season seems to have awakened. There'll be another chance.

Until the next chance.

   A prayer to those in the Carolinas that must face the fury of Florence. A drink to the heroism of the peeps who make the go voluntarily to provide safe haven and rescue to those in need. Founders Brewing released Barrel Runner. Mid- July. A tribute to life in the Tropics. Sometimes relaxing. Sometimes raucous. This time of year, unruly. An Imperial IPA hop bomb, exploding at 55 IBUs. Dense, finger plus, tan head. Heavy lacing. Hazy, almost opaque, dark orange pour. Aromas of oakey rum, orange, and mango. Could taste the rum. Boozy, but not too. Sweet, warm vanilla with citrus and more mango. Strong at 11.1% ABV. Definitely not a pre-surf toast. I really liked this one. Rated an A.

   To settle things down, Kona Brewing poured their brand of "liquid Aloha." Memories of Kauai's north shore. An area we spent limited time in, and I did not get to ride. Hanalei Island IPA. A definitive session brew at 4.5%. Golden blonde pour with a fast dissipating finger and half, white head. Smelled of the advertised passionfruit and orange, but in taste, very bitter. The 40 IBUs really showed...like an English IPA. More grassy pine than citrus. Like my experience in the surf hamlet of Hanalei itself, I felt like I missed out. Needed to smooth out, like one of the rides H-Bay's waves were givin' up. Rated this a C+/B-. 

"I like a good beer. Of course, I'll

drink a bad one too."  -Tom Petty