Good morning from #SteamerLane #SantaCruz. It is the calm before the storm. Expecting up to six inches of rain and strong winds in the next few days.

Just a couple of photos from the recent Cold Water Classic surfing competition at #SteamerLane in #SantaCruz. One is of Team O'Neill watching the proceedings from their command post and the other is a shot toward the judges table. Sorry, no shots of surfing at this time. Maybe later.

Kid gets pitted in surf contest. #SteamerLane

#Otter wrestling for the Costco foamboard, and winning. #SteamerLane overlook, #SantaCruz. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CukJI9WMyIN/

I saw the board-stealing #otter at #SteamerLane, chilling on the tail end of a foamboard while surfer treaded water on the other. It even caught a small summer wave. Looked funny, had no idea it was a thing. #SantaCruz https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-12/a-renegade-sea-otter-is-terrorizing-california-surfers

Dude got some air! #surfing #surfingphotography #SantaCruz #SteamerLane

Pretty strong south wind here at #SteamerLane #SantaCruz this morning. A small flight of geese were trying to fly around the point, but were barely making progress. At one point they were about ten feet from me long enough to make eye contact & seem to want to say “Can I get a little help here?” Could have taken a picture, but my phone would have gotten covered in gale-blown salt spray. But, it’s fun to come out here, lean against the wind & look out on the big, white-cappy choppy ocean.

More #waves than #surfers yesterday at #SteamerLane in #SantaCruz. Here is a big one with nobody on it. The spray was making pretty rainbows.