Bye bye from Jamie... On to the Big Apple

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So, as Jamie McClellan and Phileas say their goodbyes we can get the lowdown on what went down from Jamie:

Buoy Dodging - Photo: Rincon Surf Photography

Phileas arrived during an unusually flat October. One surf in two weeks is all we got. Every wave a closeout. This place can be very frustrating. 

Then a blip on the long range charts prompted a message to Graeme. Despite strict instructions, "Two weeks and pass", I let G know Phileas was going to have a little change of itinerary. 

Hurricane Gonzalo passed just north of Puerto Rico on the morning of October 14. Tatum's birthday was the next day, so we were going, hurricanes be damned. I had planned the trip months in advance. I finally told her what we were doing 24 hours before we got on the plane.

"Oh, and by the way, there's a hurricane that might hit PR while we're
trying to land..."

We landed in San Juan at noon, grabbed our rental and bolted to the NW coast. The swell filled in that afternoon and didn't let up for days as Gonzalo slowed it's forward speed and grew to an intense category 4 storm. Bermuda got a mauling.

Puerto Rico got 7 days of fantastic surf.

We got lucky.

October is early season for the Caribbean tourist mill, so crowds in PR were thin and mostly local. Light south wind meant the entire north coast pumped, spreading crowds even more. I surfed at dawn every day and again most afternoons in powerful reefbreak surf in the head high to double overhead range. Phileas handled really well for the power behind the swell. We flew in the early morning glass before the wind turned on each day. The afternoon winds caused some interesting cross chop across the long, pulsing walls in Rincon.

We stayed in a treehouse, hiked waterfalls and lived on cafe conleche, fish tacos and coco frios.

It gets harder and harder to leave every time we go.

Jamie's Artwork

And so Phileas heads onwards up the East Coast and into the Big Apple, courtesy of Tim Darwish.

To be continued...

G

Report from Rincon (no not that one.. the other one)

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We've received some intel on Phileas, courtesy of Ron Ditmore Rincon Surf Photos, Puerto Rico. It would appear that Phileas and Jamie are having some fun.

Word from Jamie too:

“Well overhead to double every day since we got here Tuesday. Today finally came down to around 4ft w overhead sets.
I am sunburnt and tired.

Rode Phileas every surf. Surfed 6 or 7 different reefbreaks. Mat went very well for the size and power in the swell. Great trip so far.”
— Jamie McClellan

Well, nobody can grumble about that. Phileas is enjoying an unexpected detour and all is well. More shots and perhaps some footage to come.

Check out more from Ron on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RinconSurfPhotos

Cheers

G

PHILEAS HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED!!!

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Word from Jamie McClellan. It seems that he has gone renegade, abducting Phileas out of the country! Interpol are on alert. Here is the message from Jamie:

" G, since there's not been much surf on Hatteras Island of late, we're lighting out to chase waves in the Caribbean for 10 days. Phileas has been kidnapped,

The project will have to go on hold until when/if we get back.

Sorry Tim in NY but you will just have to wait a little longer.

Jamie"

So all we know is that Phileas is going to be somewhere in the Caribbean. Worrying times for sure. Lets just pray for a safe return. And some waves. And some pics. And some footage.

On second thoughts... Get on it Jamie!!!

Cheers

G

Jamie's Carribean Quiver 

Phileas hit the Outer Banks

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Phileas by Jamie McClellan

Word from Jamie McClellan in North Carolina. Phileas has been getting a look in. One session in and Jamie says:

"...two sessions, every single wave a closeout. Mat went great despite it all."

I asked:  "Any decent stills prior to your trips to the bottom? Taking one for the team?"

"Surfed alone." came the reply. "Soon though."  

Can't wait.

G

Outer Banks Dumpers Photo: Tatum Clements