Skimming in San Francisco

[Khoi]

I am going to be in San Francisco for about a week. I am leaving June 8th, and I was wondering how the skim was there. I am thinking of bringing my board out there too, and I am going to be riding a plane there. I'm wondering about some good skim spots there, if it is worth it to bring my board there and skim. I already know about China Beach and Fort Point, and I was wondering how good those places are. Even more spots would be great too! My transportation is rather limited though, since I am staying at a hotel (Hotel Milano I believe it is called). I may even resort to walking to the beaches if it is worth it and within a 3-4 mile radius.

I am relatively a beginner-intermediate, quite new to wave riding etc. but I am a quick learner. Think these spots would be good for me, or too much?

also, I am going to be needing tips on transporting my board. Should I buy one of those bags for my board and pad it up inside? Or even carry-on luggage? I am afraid I may damage my board (obviously). Wetsuit would be a definate too, because it will be quite cold in San Francisco apparently.

Thanks a lot

[didj prophet]

china beach usually doesnt have much to work with, at least not when ive been there, you're better off going to baker beach, just on the other side of china towards the golden gate, as for fort point, you probably wont want to bother, it is fickle, you have to catch a big swell at just the right time for it to be working, and the rocks make it unskimmable a lot of the time depending on the tide, if you're not going to be able to make it out of the city, baker is probably your best bet, although it doesnt hurt to check china

these spots shouldnt be too much for you to handle, just know your limits if it is really gnarly when you're out there

as for the temperature, it's not very cold anymore, might as well bring the suit just in case since you're coming from florida, but it's really not that bad

[Teddy Parker]

http://www.cramikskim.com

[Khoi]

oh alright thanks for the info.

anyone know about transporting the board though? Anyone every transport a board via airplane?

[Teddy Hartford]

i have....i did it the poor mans way and it came out fine. I got a box from a bicycle shop dumpster and then put alot of bubble wrap around the board especially the rails using duct tape. and stuck it the box and then duct taped that. It worked pretty good.

[SkimSF]

The biggest issue is if your airline lets you take your "boogie" board on the plane for free. A lot of airlines have changed their rules recently to fuck you with extra charges. Since you can't take it carry on I would just buy a bag. It will make the decision to take your board on your next vacation easier.

As for conditions and temperature (from Florida): unless we have very small swell while you are here you might be overwhelmed by Baker and definitely need a full suit. Unless 54 degrees is ok with you.

[dlux]

Teddy Paker -> what beach is that picture of on cramikskim. Im heading down to norcal in august and might make it as far as sanfran.

[didj prophet]

well my name isn't teddy parker, but that is baker beach

i laughed my ass of when i saw that picture last night, anyone who frequents baker would probably get the humor in that

[dlux]

is baker beach on the bayside or the ocean side of the golden gate?

[KrisStone]

They have some sick tow in videos from san fran dont they?

[didj prophet]

baker is on the oceanside of the golden gate

and yeah, they do have a tow-in video, and it is sick, go here (http://cramikskim.com/Videos/videos.htm), and click on the video on the bottom right

[SkimSF]

i laughed my ass of when i saw that picture last night, anyone who frequents baker would probably get the humor in that

I did too (more like cried after skimming last night.) I don't know if it was the PODs the last two days or the weather, but I saw more skimboarders at Baker yesterday (when it was shitty) than the last 5 sessions when it has been good. Were you out there didj?

[didj prophet]

nope, i was in santa cruz yesterday, and judging by that POD im glad i was, 26th was pretty fun