Gnarly

It's not humid anymore. Or even warm for that matter.

This afternoon at the beach the wind was howling, the sky was menacing and the ocean was just plain gnarly.

Despite the foul conditions, there was a good turnout for nippers today. This is my girls second season with the local surf club. Despite the majority of their groups opting out of the ocean swim today, they both decided to have a crack at swimming around the cans (they are 9 & 10), which may have been overly optimistic. I don't think anyone actually managed to make it to the first one - getting through the surf break was tough and there was a fast current that pushed everyone down the beach. It was, in a word, gnarly.

The fact they even entered the water, is testament, to the confidence and water skills they have gained in the program which is run entirely by volunteers (as are the majority of life savers patrolling on Australias beaches) There was plenty of water cover - the board paddler on the left is a life saver on water cover) and I know they will disappoint the kids determined to go in if they deem conditions dangerous. But challenging can be good practice. The ocean is not always our friend.

I was torn on images today. I ended up going with this one because I felt it captured the atmosphere best, but I also liked this one for a topical shot. I'm still wondering if I made the right choice.

Have a great Sunday wherever you may be :)