2005 Tofino Wrap Up
The last week of 2005 brought lots of rain, strong off shore winds and swell to our local beaches. A big south swell, peaking at a little over 5 meters on the morning of the 30th, combined with one of our highest tides of the year to make beach access a little tricky or down right dangerous. When we went down to check the conditions at "N" and the water was surging up the paths, and logs were floating and careening off of each other in the surf all along the shoreline. There was no one out.
We walked over to Mackenzie and found about 10 people in the water and more scoping it out from shore. Conditions there were pretty much the same, big, sloppy and flooded.
The swell held through the day and when we went back to check "N" at mid tide it looked like a serious paddle to the outside. There were only a couple surfers in the water and a few others heading out. Sepp Bruhwiler was out, sitting alone on the outside. From shore it looked like he was sitting about a two thirds of the way to Lennard Island. While I was there shooting he tore into a few of the bigger set waves.
The last day of 2005 brought more of the same. Our morning surf check revealed that the swell had dropped but the waves looked great. Double overhead sets were still rolling into "N". Just as we arrived the sun broke free of the clouds and an amazing light fell over the beach. I shot for about an hour and just as we were getting ready to pack it up the fog rolled in. Perfect light and timing for the last shoot of the year.
Stephen Mayor |
