I had a weak year. The 75-mile one way drive to the beach keeps me from getting into the water enough on the shortboard to improve on it. I did get in some good time on the longboard.

1. Mid-May:
   Good go-out at Ponce Inlet after picking up the check for two boards sold on consignment. The shop owner, whom I hadn't seen in years, invited me down to the inlet to surf. He, his son, and one of his shop managers and myself had a stretch of beach to ourselves for awhile. After I got a nice ride, he said, "It's a great day to be a surfer." Yeah, buddy!

2. Early June:
   Good go-out at A St. in St. Augustine. A punchy shoulder-high late afternoon, turning a little choppy at the end. The most power I've had the longboard out in, and found at that size, I didn't need the side fins.

3. Oct. 23:
   UF Alummi Challenge. The last push from Hurricane Jose. I got in some wetsuit-rippling drops on headhigh groundswells while bodysurfing between heats, and the Kodak disposable didn't leak from the action in the impact zone.