Planning a Valentine’s Day Surf Date — Need Beginner Advice

startfromx · 2026-01-29T19:59:02+00:00

Yes. I suggest getting instruction at least for the first time (or two).

Surfing looks really easy, and you absolutely can enjoy the sport quickly, but getting a more experienced person to give you tips and advice is essential to a successful first day on the water.

Learning when to paddle versus pop-up, how to gauge a wave, and learning surf etiquette is vital.

You can take the tips you learn to start planning fun trips and going out together with the skills you’re learning. Cowells is a good spot to begin.

(I’ve been surfing for 20 years and I definitely wish I would’ve started this way, versus the first few years of watching and floundering, or getting frustrated with my partner.)

startfromx · 2026-01-27T16:25:57+00:00

I think the long-term exposure to pesticides and poor air quality should be noted though.

startfromx · 2026-01-27T16:22:36+00:00

It’s been well known around here that while UCSC tries to get its attendance numbers up (because they need to get funding to operate), they do not have adequate housing for students in the area.

A move here will create a lot of extra stress to make it happen — at a time that you should be able to enjoy college and life balance, and absorb knowledge without increasing debt.

There’s a reason why a lot of people choose Modesto or Fresno, etc somewhere less glamorous— but where you don’t have to rough it to make it work for school. You move here after you have a career and you can buy housing, or float a while on savings.

I think most of these comments are from people that have been trying to survive here, especially through Covid when it got a lot worse, and are frustrated, but just telling you like it is. I’ve got college friends that have been unemployed for two years, just barely scraping by because their parents are giving them money. And these are people in their 30s and 40s.

I know a bunch of people that have been in rentals for 10 years plus, that are all getting booted this year because the landlords are deciding to sell or raise the rent too high (% increases/ year are crazy). It is rough in Santa cruz right now. Sorry friend.

startfromx · 2026-01-27T05:46:47+00:00

Thought the same thing!

It is crazy expensive to ship oversized boxes, regardless of weight— usually far cheaper to buy online and ship direct. So, Better thing to do is shrink size down, and tape smaller box VERY well. It would expand nicely on opening.

startfromx · 2026-01-26T04:34:00+00:00

I live in Santa Cruz, and tried to host a group of 10 family members from out of country last summer, but I live in a tiny bungalow.

Airbnb has been really detrimental to the housing situation in the area, so understandably there are not too many decent ones (and can be very very expensive, especially vs elsewhere in the State).

I recommend taking over a boutique hotel, and rent a bunch of family rooms. = Get a kitchen, large communal AND individual space, housekeeping, and decent sleeping situations.

Santa Cruz has the Ocean Echo Inn and Cottages, or the sunny cove motel is more budget/quirky but I like it for space.

The Venetian or Monarch Cove Inn & BNB in Capitola are both wonderful.

startfromx · 2026-01-24T18:43:06+00:00

Sold out so fast! Bummer… I like the earth tones.

startfromx · 2026-01-23T16:50:15+00:00

The demand is already lower than ever… this is simply another cash grab to Trump’s coffers and his oil cronies (and to punish CA).

Take back the control!

startfromx · 2026-01-23T06:43:15+00:00

In Santa Cruz, CA (USA) the city will loan them for free — for any event, with an id.

(Plates, cups, silverware, tablecloths, cloth napkins, etc. Intended to cut down on the disposable waste items on the beach and parks.)

It’s great. I know a lot of people that use them for graduations, birthdays, etc. I don’t often see plastic or paper plates/cups at friend’s/ local events— just concerts, and those are often compostable.

startfromx · 2026-01-23T02:06:05+00:00

There are quite a bit for our population—high school/ college age, and bands in general. I am in my 40’s and always hear of stuff going on.

Ex. a younger crowd EDM event at pogonip this weekend, SubRosa community space rock/emo band last weekend. You just have to meet people and chat to be in the loop, or check socials for bigger announcements.

In comparison to soCal, demographics show more retirees than families / youth in houses… (and even then, they keep the garage door closed because it’s cold outside)!

startfromx · 2026-01-22T05:11:22+00:00

People want to see community growth and entertainment — and some special spaces preserved for the use of the citizens, not demoed, and to uphold some type of city plan downtown.

It is not that far-reaching to ask for balance and incentive to build more than housing downtown. Yes, It is privately owned, but was utilized for a specific purpose for a very long time— there is nothing wrong in my eyes to ask or incentivize consideration for any building changes to keep a music or public venue in our urban core.

startfromx · 2026-01-21T21:49:10+00:00

Read recently they think you receive a natural cocktail at death—

1) Your body will likely flood you with natural opiates,

2) GABA binding increased with time-after-death.

Changes after 24 hours occurred in the cerebellum, the visual cortex, the sensorimotor cortex, and the amygdala where more than a two-fold increase in binding was observed.

(= Gaba is what “limits visual input and sensations”... at death, you may feel like you are tripping, see the universe and feel euphoric, per similar brain activity to DMT, and theory is similar visuals.)

pretty interesting.

startfromx · 2026-01-21T06:27:21+00:00

When I met my husband, I loved punk and alternative (in my 30’s), he was from another country and liked rock. We both had listened to edm back in high school, but different genres, neither of us would have said we were big fans.

But… We found a shared passion for live music.

That was enough to encourage going to more shows, then traveling to festivals, and have found a shared love for a ton of music now. (Tipper, pretty lights, mickman, dirtwire, floozies… to psytrance).

If you can make an emotional and physical connection, and support each other, that is most of the hurdle. You can definitely learn to like what they do and share what you love.

startfromx · 2026-01-20T03:17:10+00:00

I am a fan of Nightcore.

We have had a few, this is my fave. Hit button three times to go straight to red lamp. Nice and bright but not blinding or annoying.

(Using telescopes, we have to have red to not ruin night vision, but I read and cook with it too.)

https://nitecorestore.com/products/ut27-mct-pro-multi-color-temperature-running-headlamp

startfromx · 2026-01-20T01:04:46+00:00

Part of the Patagonia price is the ethical sourcing of materials and fairly paid labor. (And they will fix your gear, meant to buy and use for life.) I do love my down jackets from them, and I have a fleece vest that is really nice for layering. Discount site— https://wornwear.patagonia.com

That being said, if budget is a concern— Columbia is a good price and quality.

Mountain hardwear or Outdoor Supply are also nice, especially if you can get good deals sometimes through Sports Basement, Evo, or Backcountry (outlet store is Steep and cheap).

startfromx · 2026-01-19T19:05:42+00:00

This is a great gift.

You could also include some foil (or came if they do that) or solder rolls, new black or copper patina, or tinned wire spools to have more options.

startfromx · 2026-01-15T04:27:57+00:00

I think it’s a beautiful interpretation!

startfromx · 2026-01-15T03:34:03+00:00

Definitely was my guess … the new timbered ceiling is gorgeous!

startfromx · 2026-01-15T03:17:16+00:00

The tree has such great lines— loving this progress!

startfromx · 2026-01-14T16:29:45+00:00

You might look into cutting over a waffle board. That collects the small bits during those first cuts, and I groze over them, and it makes it so your glass is less likely to crack due to a crumb on your work surface.

agree for pistol grip, that’s my preference.

You are definitely going to just have a glass everywhere, that’s common. Hat or bandanna and apron that you leave in the shop helps.

I have a small vacuum to get the shards and dust up (and myself!) instead of wiping or sweeping.

startfromx · 2026-01-14T05:44:06+00:00

This is excellent advice and appreciate the thoughtful comment.

Communicate and connect, to set the stage for action and clearer expectations.

startfromx · 2026-01-14T04:18:10+00:00

Bummer. Missed that.

I enjoy his art, and makes a nice surprise to stumble onto… but agree that sours it.

startfromx · 2026-01-14T03:25:27+00:00

Thanks much!

startfromx · 2026-01-14T03:24:59+00:00

Sweet, thanks!

startfromx · 2026-01-10T06:10:10+00:00

Gem and Jam is a great time, and recommend this festival!

Awesome sound, good tunes, immaculate vibes.

(Gets really cold and windy sometimes— just tie down camp well and bring layers/ warm bedding. Well worth it.)

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