Anyone Ride Samoa Dunes?

Sparkplug

Sparkplug

Location
Red Bluff CA
I searched samoa on this site through google and got nothing. I just got back from riding there yesterday. It was my first time ever riding the ocean. Let me just say this, you guys that ride surf everyday, my hats off to you. That is probably the most intense rush Ive ever had in my life. Literally can lose your ski in an instant, and have to be on your toes the entire time.

Just wondering if this area is normal as far as surf condtions. It seemed a little extreme to me, but definitely could get used to it. I am going back for an entire weekend on the 31st with friends and have some questions I hope can be answered.

How the hell do you start consistently? The incoming tide never stays the same, it will come in far enough I think it will float, Ill then wait for the next one, and it never comes. Sometimes I would think I was good to go, hit the gas and step on, and it would suction itself to the sand. How long does it to for your eyes to adjust to saltwater burn, because it sucks. Am I just going to have to deal with it since Ill only be able to weekend ride the ocean being I live a ways away? Do I ALWAYS want to hang on? I did every single time but once, when I went way bigger than i was expecting and got scared and threw it. I remember reading if you cant start the ski in time and get out, to get on the back, grab the bars, and jsut hang on. I did that one time and I went under, and upside down for quite some time. I held on, I was expecting to hit the bottom. I didnt. Should I have bailed or did I do the right thing? Is it just something that you learn with time?

Sorry for the newb questions, but just wanted some tips. Also, there was almost no people on the beace, so even though most seem to say no, Im going to zip tie my lanyard while Im out there, I dont want to be fiddling with it, I only had maybe 2 seconds between waves and it was pretty intense trying to plug it in. i got some vids, but I dunno if they are even worth posting, its just me on a stock 701 ski for the first time in the surf. This is th eonly pic I got on my phone right now.

e95e2d10.jpg
 
227

227

Its all about the surf!
Location
Oceanside, CA
I searched Samoa on this site through Google and got nothing. I just got back from riding there yesterday. It was my first time ever riding the ocean.

Where exactly is Samoa Dunes? Never heard of it. Is is called another name?

Let me just say this, you guys that ride surf every day, my hats off to you. That is probably the most intense rush I've ever had in my life. Literally can lose your ski in an instant, and have to be on your toes the entire time.

Yes that's surf riding, that's why it's fun, it's a constant challenge that doesn't get old.


How the hell do you start consistently? The incoming tide never stays the same, it will come in far enough I think it will float, Ill then wait for the next one, and it never comes. Sometimes I would think I was good to go, hit the gas and step on, and it would suction itself to the sand.

Start in Knee to waste deep water like anywhere else, if you're so close to the shore that you're riding where the water is 6 inch deep and the wave action recedes to bare sand you're just riding to close to shore. Stay in waist to chest high depth minimum.

How long does it to for your eyes to adjust to saltwater burn, because it sucks. Am I just going to have to deal with it since Ill only be able to weekend ride the ocean being I live a ways away?

The salt water usually doesn't burn your eyes, it's usually your sun block that being washed into your eyes that causes the burn. If your one of the few that the salt does bother, be patient you'll get used to it.

Do I ALWAYS want to hang on? I did every single time but once, when I went way bigger than I was expecting and got scared and threw it. Is it just something that you learn with time?

NEVER, I mean NEVER let go in the surf, I don't care how bad you get rag dolled. If you do get separated it should be because the ski was literally ripped from your hands, everything worth doing takes practice


Sorry for the newb questions, but just wanted some tips. Also, there was almost no people on the beach, so even though most seem to say no, I'm going to zip tie my lanyard while I'm out there, I don't want to be fiddling with it, I only had maybe 2 seconds between waves and it was pretty intense trying to plug it in.

I zip tie off my lanyard also, it's a personal preference thing, many will disagree with me but the 100-1 times its saved me has far outweighed the times its hurt me

BTW, riding a day with guys already accustomed to the surf will teach you way more than you'll ever pick up on here.
 
Last edited:
227

227

Its all about the surf!
Location
Oceanside, CA
Sparkplug said:
Samoa is in Arcata, Humboldt county, far Nor Cal coast

Thank you for the info
Click to expand...

Ya, just Googled it. There's most likely a crew that rides up that way. Lets see if anyone from that area posts, if they do go ride with them, they'll get you dialed in.
 
D

dudeitsart

Location
Texas
just make sure you don't get a ticket,
i heard a rumor that in mavericks, which is a popular tow in surf spot, they banned all PWC except on those HUGE days (Im taking jaws status )
 
Last edited:
chriselmore_1

chriselmore_1

high on resin
Location
san jose ca
That spot is a long ways away from mavericks. and pwcs are never allowed in mavericks. From Cambria to bodega bay is a protected marine sanctuary. Tow in surfing is even illegal.
 
Sparkplug

Sparkplug

Location
Red Bluff CA
According to the BLM its totally legal to ride. And its an OHV park, so you can drive your truck right up to the water. The drag mark is because I was with my girlfriend man, and I dont own a beach dolly. I only had to drag it about 20 feet. It was slid out the back of a truck onto a dry area of sand and drug out to the water. Very easy to do if you have the strength to handle the ski in the water.

So can some people that have actually ridden this spot please post up?
 
wavewarrior

wavewarrior

Location
sarcastomento
I've seen that your capable of building stuff. Just make your own beach doly so you don't have to drag the ski to launch in the surf. Get some surf time in and hit Pismo in Oct for JK Freeride.
 
Sparkplug

Sparkplug

Location
Red Bluff CA
Yes, I am definitely making a beach dolly. My buddies want me to make one that is part hitch hauler, part beach dolly. I have an idea in the works.

Thanks for the positive input man, Im going to try and make some ski events this year and next. Hard to right now because Ive been tied up in other things for so long.
 
wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
i went to school in Arcata and that was the first place i rode a standup in the surf....it can get very very heavy there....super strong riptides and currents....id stay as far away from the jetty as possible...thats where guys surf and its also where the rips are the strongest....basically if you get caught in one you are done for...you cant swim against it....

the day you were there looked pretty mellow (it is summer after all).....there is nobody that rides up there that i know of so be careful...ive surfed all over the us and mexico and that beachbreak can be one of the most humbling places...in the winter when the water is 52deg and the surf is 10ft you wont last long struggling with a broken ski...

when its big it will break inside the harbor and that might be a better spot to ride...there is a little launch ramp acrossed from the entrance to the ohv area and there is a wave that breaks right in front of it when its 15ft+ which up there is often...the is another wave that breaks inbetween the jetties...its called "obituaries" and can be very sketchy...if the tide starts pulling out there is no way to get back into the rocks...heres a pic of obituaries...like i said be careful...at least the coast guard station is right there

photo_surf_USA_California_Humboldt_.jpg
 
Sparkplug

Sparkplug

Location
Red Bluff CA
Thank you. I didnt know about the launch until I called BLM and they told me I could use that if I wanted. I will be going with friends next time. Im not going to be riding out into the ocean, Im only going to stay close enough to shore to hit waves. I understand rip tide does what it wants. The surfers were about 3 miles down from me.

The waves were pretty big even though it was summer, Not like that pic, but definitely some decent ones I was way to afraid to try and launch off. That sucks that no one rides up there. I kind of thought that was going to be the case. I didnt see a single jet ski in Humboldt county, not even couches. O well, me and my buddies will hit it up. Thanks alot again for the information, its really appreciated.
 
wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
no problem... definitely check this out before you go and id avoid it when its big....

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/WestCoast_inset.shtml

make sure u have a 5/4/3mm wetsuit with a hood and good surfing booties..i used to wear 7mm booties...the cold will can really suck the energy out of you fast if you are struggling with a broken ski...

the good news is you will get good quick riding up there..you have no choice but to learn fast...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom