Sometimes it’s sunny. Being a California beach, more often the day starts overcast and cool. Surf City (north) is a busy place. From Santa Cruz’s boardwalk with its arcades and carnival rides to the main surf attraction, Cowell’s and Steamer Lane, opportunities in this California beach town are as vast as the people who play here on the weekend. There really is recreation for everyone. In the 1960’s Cowell’s, the close in beach, was the focus for all things surfing. Long boards, tandem surfing, and the new surfer pop sound on the radio with the likes of Jan & Dean the Beach Boys and the Ventures were the rage. The close of the 60’s brought with it shorter surfboards to catch the bigger waves and extended the beach to Steamer Lane where the surf is regularly six feet plus. Largely abandoned, Cowell’s returned to a family place again which is largely remains today. Fast forward to the 2000’s and the surf culture has to share the space with Stand Up paddle boards and kayaks.

It is safe to say that everyday people line the cliff to watch surfers and paddle boarders. The view from the cliff is spectacular on a day when the surf is big. The curious, the wishers and wanna-to-bes, the tourists, photographers, and the just-out-of-the -water or soon-to-be-in-the-water observers are all there. For a sea level view, a kayak is a great platform for getting an up-close view of some of the surfing activity. Stable, enclosed, and small, it provides the opportunity to be at the same level as the action. With its enclosed decks, a kayak is also a safe way to transport the camera and lens you really want to use.

This first portrait not only shows the lucky guy who caught the wave but gives us a peek into the rules on the water. Our gal with the orange top is looking to see if she gets to join or not, in this case not. Two heads closer in the frame echo the missed opportunity of an already taken wave.  He cliff in the background shows one of the reasons the surf is so big.

In addition to SUPs (stand up paddle boards) the surfers are joined by kayaks, sculls and outriggers, small power boats and the growing population of sea otters in the same area of the cliffs at the edge of the big surf.

Sometimes referred to as the puppies of the sea, weasels in the water, and a few other things, the otters are plentiful. What ever you call them they are cute. Once hunted nearly extinction for their fur, they have rebounded in the past twenty years thanks to legislation targeted at saving the species. From the ocean surface it’s impossible to see them diving to find the shell fist that make up the majority of their diet. But it’s not hard to see when they found their prey. Frequently, it’s the clanging of a rock against the outer shell that reveals their location floating among the kelp. As pretty cleaver little fellows, they pick up a rock to help them open the closed shell and feast on the fleshy animal enclosed inside.

Whether hanging out in small rafts or groups of other otters or teaching and protecting their young, they always have an eye on the sea for predators and opportunities. Floating among the kelp or purposefully wrapping their body in kelp to help their midday floating naps, they hang out all over the fringe of the Steamer Lane surf zone. You don’t have to ask them to say cheese, just wait for a glance in your direction. This pup is probably just about ready to strike it out but like all moms, it looks like she’s having a problem cutting the apron strings.

Ahem, just another Saturday morning paddle in northern Monterey Bay. Wait while I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.