à Paris et au pays basque

The trip ended over a month ago, and it's taken that long to catch up on everything left behind and to let the experience sink in.

Quick backstory:
I lived in France form 1986 to 1987, doing a typical junior year abroad, and being an English teacher's assistant at a Paris high school. Since then Basque country has been a bit of an obsession. The coastline, mild climate, lush countryside, and cool little towns all intrigued me. Mind you, this was all long before I surfed.
Fast forward to today:
The intrigue evolved to obsession. so as a a belated birthday present to myself, for turning 50 back in March, I said what the hell and bought tickets and made reservations.

'Basque Country' in Basque - done in the official Basque font - go there you'll know what I'm talking about.

What was it like?
Imagine a far off land, half-remembered from a dream, but somehow you know the language, and you know your way around. That's what it was like. It's one of those trips where everything works out well, and you know it and savor the smooth sailing.

Surf?
Sacre bleu! Tonnere de Brest! Careful what you wish for, the power here is unlike anything ever surfed before. Dare I say there's more punch here than in California. I always knew this was a legendary part of the surf world, and the Basque Coast did not disappoint. It took some getting used to, but by the end of the trip the Franco/Basque surf and surf culture had charmed yet another Gringo.

But it wasn't all surf
Paris was as splendid as ever after almost 30 years, and Basque country has so much to offer it was overwhelming. Plus now I can add Spain to another country on my small but growing list.

More detailed posts to follow, but I didn't want any more time to pass before sharing pictures and ideas.

Musclecar Monday: Sting Ray vs. Stingray

Ever wander what the difference was between Sting Ray and Stingray?  Me niether, but the obvious difference is Sting Ray is spelled two words. They ruled the streets for only 5 years ('63-'67), where as the Stingray (one word), lived for 7 years ('69-'76). A lot of people don't know that there are actually two types of Stingrays.

Most people think of the big fendered Dirk Diggler model when they hear the word Sting Ray.

'Chopes from above

Teahupo'o, Du Ciel from SURFING Magazine on Vimeo.

Filmed by Eric Sterman & Brent Bielmann

Produced by Peter Taras

Edited by Sean Benik

Music by Brigitte Fontaine "Le Goudron"

Thunderbeats - Amazing Garage Rock from Russia

trip to the Basque Coast

"John, it's time to stop dreaming and start doing."
            - advice from my father.

"Claim that shit!"
            - advice from a good friend.

Well after 30 years of dreaming about this trip it's time to claim that shit - this is actually happening in a few weeks.

There will be a few days in Paris, then a trip on the TGV Atlantique to Bordeaux, where I pick up a loaner-log (merci mille fois, Jeffrey) and drive to Saint Jean de Luz.

It won't just be surfing, The Spanish border is 15 minutes away, so a trip to San Sebastián is in the cards. Hopefully a day hike in the Pyrenees will happen as well. It's a two week trip so it won't be a mad rush to cram everything in.

Basque Flag

Air Chance - err France in Boston

Mid-Summer catch up

Howdy y'all,

Hoping your all enjoying a great summer. Two heatwaves, water temps in the upper 60's, enough 2' hero waves, good company, and plenty of dramatic sky-scapes have been the hallmarks of the summer of 2015.

Here are some photo highlights:

Visitez la Côte Basque - Good Idea?

Howdy surf brethren and sistren,

Mid-September I'll be taking 2 weeks off, and I'd like to go someplace epic to surf. I turned 50 recently, so time to stop dreamin' and time to start doin'.

I'll be travelling solo (pathetic... I know), but at this rate hell will freeze over before I meet "the one" to take a cool trip with. So screw it, I want to go someplace, I've worked hard and earned it. I don't care about how much of an a-hole I look like by myself, life is too short.

Basque country has always intrigued me. No, I'm not harboring any dreams of hooking into Hossegor bombs, or getting shacked at Guéthary, or hanging with the beautiful people in Biarritz, but it would be cool to score some fun waves after the August euro-hordes have thinned out some. I'd rent a car and explore around a bit, do the Hemingway thing like in The Sun Also Rises.

I lived in France from '85 to '87 teaching high school English in Paris, and can still speak French reasonably well (no Spanish, sadly). This was long before I surfed, so I never made it down to the Côte Basque.

There are some other areas of France's Atlantic coast which look cool too, around La Rochelle and Brittany. Brittany is a spectacular area but a bit remote.

So has anyone been there? Any recommendations for me (besides playing in the traffic)?

Thanks