It usually happens around this time of year, when the ocean water temperature drops below 60 degrees. Some surfers refuse to wear booties no matter what the water temperature might be, but most surfers are …
January 11, 2017
While Russell is a native of Southern California he did not begin surfing until he was 45 years old. His "real" job is as an SAP Business Systems Consultant. Russell tries to write his surf stories from both the outside looking in, and from the inside looking out. He resides in North Pacific Beach and has no intentions of ever leaving.
Articles by Russell Goltz
It's bootie time
No one is responsible
A couple of CVS shopping carts made a mysterious appearance at the pump house at the end of Loring Street in Pacific Beach. They showed up a couple of weeks ago, down at the bottom …
October 26, 2016
Most surfers pee in their wetsuits
The standard wetsuit for fall and winter surfing is a 3-2. That means that most of the wetsuit is 3 millimeters thick and some parts are only 2 millimeters thick. That normally is warm enough …
October 12, 2016
The awkward and dangerous Tourmaline crosswalk
A couple of years ago the city put in a crosswalk at the entrance to the parking lot at Tourmaline Surfing Park. That is at the intersection of La Jolla Boulevard and Tourmaline Street. When …
September 21, 2016
Noah’s Ark in Pacific Beach
Sure, we know that things are changing in North Pacific Beach. Every time a house is sold it is torn down (except for one small wall so it can be called a “remodel” instead of …
September 14, 2016
Should I wear a leash?
Because all beginners should be wearing a leash, going leashless gives a surfer more credibility in the line-up. It is a statement that says, “I am a good surfer, so don’t drop in on me.” …
August 24, 2016
Trawling for locals-only discounts in PB and MB
There is a This American Life podcast called “Good Guys.” It is about always asking when you buy something if you can get the “good-guy” discount. As Ira Glass says, “You know, you’re a good …
July 13, 2016
The advantage of Wavestorms
Several years ago most new surfers at Tourmaline were groms. Nowadays most beginners appear to be adults that bought their Wavestorm boards at Costco for $99.99. A fiberglass longboard is big and heavy. Going “over …
March 30, 2016
Should I surf today?
The surf is big today, scary big. Surfline.com says it is six to eight feet at Tourmaline Cove, with some sets double overhead. At P.B. Point (False Point) the projections are for over 10 feet, …
January 20, 2016