Among the many reasons I don’t surf–fear of drowning, dislike of spandex bodysuits, fucking sharks–the need to get up early to catch waves is high on the list. Pavement is always there and asphalt is available on your own schedule.
That said, certain runs are best skated early in the morning, before traffic starts. And once you’re out of bed and gassed up with coffee, dawn patrol can be quite pleasant. The air is cool and the sun is low in the sky, so everything looks a little different.
If you’re in school or have a 9-5 job, a good session makes the rest of the day bearable. If you’re funemployed or have flexible hours, you’ve got several hours of scooter- and little kid-free hours of skatepark time to mash some grinds in before it gets all crowded.
Early-morning drivers on challenging canyon roads tend to be sports-car yahoos who want to get their kicks before the Highway Patrol has had their coffee and donuts. This kind of situation–heading into a corner all packed up with a car approaching–is why you learn to footbrake. That’s Griffin in the foreground.
Different styles on the sixth of seven miles. As we head into winter, daylight is getting scarcer and afternoon sessions have to end sooner. Fight seasonal affective disorder by skateboarding as much as possible.
Bump draft from the camera man and a peek behind the scenes.
I understand these rocks ruined someone’s day.