When I walk outside these days, there’s a bluster in the air. It’s not often warm. Sometimes… I shiver.
It wasn’t always like this. Just last month I could run around town in shorts. There was no chill, no shivering, only heat and sweat. Times have changed, and so has the weather. I’m left feeling nostalgic.
To indulge this nostalgia, I’m sharing with you an account of the time I spent earlier this year representing the SCA at the US Open of Surfing. It was late July/early August. The sun was high and the waves were higher. Equipped with an iPad and an android phone, my mission was to craft a series of 140-character dispatches that would let you, the reader, feel like you were right there on Huntington Beach, cheering on SCA spokeswoman Lakey Peterson as she attempted to triumph in the country’s largest pro-surfing competition.
Can you smell the sunscreen? Can you feel the sand in your toenails? Not yet, my friend, but read on. WARNING: You should probably don some shades before you click here to read my full coverage of the 2012 U.S. Open of Surfing.
For those of you who forgot your shades today, here are a few highlights. You’ll have to make do with squinting:
Our #goLakey banner just got a shout out from the announcers! @the_sca @lakeypeterson twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 1, 2012
Lakey poses w/ fans after her round 3 win at the @usopenofsurf. @lakeypeterson @the_sca twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 1, 2012
First ever trip to In ‘n Out Burger, everything ordered “animal style.” twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 2, 2012
17 yr old Brazilian pro Gabriel Medina rides a wave in rnd 3 of the @usopenofsurf. @the_scainstagr.am/p/N1XooTs2TH/
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 2, 2012
Well, I just rented a surfboard. The release I signed at the surf shop has me thinking I’m in for sun, fun, and certain death. @the_sca
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 2, 2012
Our very own Surfer Joe @mrjoethurston gets a little help zipping up his wetsuit. @the_sca twitter.com/EvanEscamilla/…
— Evan (@EvanEscamilla) August 3, 2012
Lakey in action! @lakeypeterson got a HUGE 9.83 on this wave! @the_sca is beaming w/ pride! #goLakey instagr.am/p/N4TKshs2WC/
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 3, 2012
Tobias points out that @the_sca can’t #savetheplanet w/o help from the world’s surf fans. @usopenofsurf @lakeypeterson twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 3, 2012
#Conservation is trending at the @usopenofsurf. @evanescamilla shows off @the_sca goods: twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 4, 2012
Desert eagle surveyor & @the_sca alum Craig Dicht’s family joins us for fun, sun, & service at the @usopenofsurf. twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 4, 2012
#Cleanupthebeach service project at the @usopenofsurf has begun! @lakeypeterson helps #savetheplanet w/ @the_sca: twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 4, 2012
Samuel & David help surf fans keep the beach clean w/ @the_sca at the @usopenofsurf. #cleanupthebeach #savetheplanet twitter.com/mrjoethurston/…
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 4, 2012
And the win goes to @lakeypeterson! Big congrats from @the_sca on your @usopenofsurf triumph! #goLakeyinstagr.am/p/N9cKg0M2cV/
— joe thurston (@mrjoethurston) August 5, 2012
One last thing: To celebrate our involvement with the Open, we teamed up with Lakey to give away a surf weekend in her hometown, Santa Barbara. Read all about the lucky winner here.