Is this one of the most cold California winters we've had in over a decade or is it me? 

Even though SoCal would be considered as having decent temps for year round surfing compared to Northern Cal or in Rockway New York, it's cold and the water feels pretty frigid right now. 

Today as I was scrolling thru the surf report, it was 59 degrees the water temp is around 53F (13'C) . That's cold if you ask me!! 

I felt compelled to google was that considered to be cold water?  On weather.com they posted "according to the National Center for Cold Water Safety that when the Ocean temps get between 50 to 60 degrees become very dangerous." I know Surfers who would legit try to make fun of it,  giving back in the day stories of when there wasn't wetsuits. 

So I just wanted to add some legit context. Personally,  I already knew what it feels like and have almost got hypothermia a few times for staying in too long.  

Once I remember, smoke was literally coming from my head while the water felt like being in a bucket of ice. It was at that moment thinking to myself "Am I having fun in these conditions?"

So now I have a set point at what temps I find enjoyable to paddle out in no matter how warm my wetsuit is. But I still need the extra help and maybe you do as well to keep extra warm.

So I made a list of some of the things that I have but also on my Wishlist of super useful necessities that help your winter surf sessions be more comfortable... 

1. Lather up in Shea Butter or Coconut Oil. I learned this trick from my Photographer who was taking photos of me in the water. He was a retired Navy Seal and said that he used petroleum jelly to stay warm when entering the water. 

That was absolutely genius to learn although not eco-friendly or sustainable so I've personally used shea butter and coconut oil because both solidify in cold temps which locks moisture in and keeps you warm. It really works. 

2. Ear Plugs. Ear plugs are a major necessity for winter sessions. These save a lot of "surfer ear" problems in the from cold water  which can  get trapped in them resulting in  ear infections and possibly hearing loss. It can take 4 - 8 weeks to heal. 

3. Surf Booties. Even if you have the warmest wetsuit, those feet dangling in that 56f is going to make your body temps drop real quick so surf booties are hands down the first thing I would get if you have to choose only one of these. 

4. Vest.  Some vest come with hoodies on them or alone, then there are also long sleeve top pieces you can buy at a fraction of the cost for another wetsuit. There have been a few years, I just put one on under my spring suit and it works just fine. 

5. Surf Gloves. I haven't taken the gloves out of the closet in about 6 years but I'm definitely packing them this week. 

6. Surf Hoodie. This is the top choice right here. Surf Hoodies are going to help your over all body temps as well. 

7. Portable Tea Kettle.. I've never heard any surfer talking about this but I just ordered one because trying to get warm after surfing is brutal for me. It heats up by using the cigarette liter charge in 10 minutes so you can have a cup of soothing tea while you get dressed.  I've never been fond of the cold anyway so I'll make another post to tell you how it went. 

8. A Portable Shower Rinse Kit.. Filling up a bottle with hot water so about the time you get out the Ocean, the water is still nice and warm feels heavenly after your temperature has dropped. It's the best. 

Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but finding the right place to stay can be a challenge.   Hostels and Hotels are two of the most popular options, but they offer different experiences. I had never heard of a Hostel until a few years ago when I went on a hippie surf adventure where we were traveling to different cities every couple of days.  To my surprise, they are much more popular in the  Europe and other Countries than here in the US. 

We stayed in a few surf themed ones that were actually pretty cool. It inspired this post today since this is around the time that most surfers  travel to  to warmer climates to catch some waves.  I wanted to share some of my pros and cons of each. If you've never stayed in one before, I hope this help you make an informed decision when planning your next trip. 

The Pros of staying in a Hostel:

• Budget-friendly. Hostels are generally cheaper than hotels, making them a great option for travelers who are trying to save money. They typically range from $15 to $30.00 per night in some Countries. The cheaper options have anywhere from 4 beds to 10. They do offer double rooms as well that you can be usually double the price of the others but still under the budget you might spend in a hotel.

• Social Scene. Hostels often have communal areas, such as lounges, kitchens and common rooms, where travelers can socialize and meet new people. This can be especially appealing for solo travelers or those looking to meet other travelers. 

• Location. Hostels are often located in more central, convenient areas than hotels, giving travelers easy access to popular attractions, public transportation, and local nightlife.

• Great for Backpackers. Hostels are great for backpacking adventures where you'll be traveling to several cities or countries, want the ease of checking in and out quickly to travel to your next destination. 

• Crowded. Hostels can be crowded, especially during peak travel seasons. You may have to share a room with several other travelers, which can be a challenge if you're someone who values privacy. Also, it's best not to bring your valuables, it may or may not be a place to keep them so asking in advance can help you make a choice if that one is right for you.

• Noisy. With so many people in one place, hostels can be noisy and disruptive especially at night. 

• Basic Amenities. Hostels typically offer fewer amenities than hotels, such as room service daily housekeeping and private bedrooms. There are shared bathrooms and no bathtubs. 

The Pros of  what I love when staying in Hotels are:

• Comfort. Hotels offer more comfort and luxury than hostels, with features like comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and room service. 

• Privacy. With private rooms, hotels provide a more private and peaceful experience for travelers who value their alone time. 

• Amenities. Hotels typically offer a range of amenities, including fitness centers, swimming pools, and on-site restaurants, making them a great option travelers who want a more indulgent experience. 

The Cons of staying in Hotels

• Expensive. Hotels can be significantly more expensive than hostels, making them less budget-friendly for travelers on a tight budget. 

• Lack of Community. Hotels can be more isolated and less social than hostels, making it harder to meet other travelers and form connections. 

• Location. Hotels are often located in less central areas, which can make it more difficult to access popular attractions, public transportation, and local nightlife. 

Ultimately, the choice between a hostel and a hotel will depend on your personal travel style, budge and preference. If you're looking for an affordable and social experience, a hostel might be the right choice. If you're looking for comfort, privacy, and a range of amenities, a hotel might be a better option.  By weighing the pros and cons of each, you can find the perfect place to stay for your next trip. Have a great time. 

If you're new to the beach life, this post is for you. I've met a lot of new surfers over the past year and you might be still trying to figure it all out. Well there's an art to being a Beachy Babe or Bro.  

 In my opinion once you become apart of this lifestyle, it's highly recommended that you date your compatibility because ain't nothin worse then someone asking you every week  "Are you going to go surfing again this week? Like what!?!  

Especially during our "Cali Winters" which is more like fall on the East Coast but still, it gets a little nippy towards the evenings. No one understands like People in the Coastal Culture. 

We spend our evenings before or after dinner watching those beautiful sunsets which are so amazing but when that wind starts to sweep in it's irritating. 

Most guys seem to not mind the chillier temps, but some of   us women like a more comfortable temp on the warm side.  

Here's a small list that will mean so much in the small details mean so much" of it all. 

1. Beach Tent. Blocks the wind and it's got an intimate appeal 

2. Hot Water Thermos (bring a couple of choices of warming Herbal Teas like ginger, cinnamon, peppermint and white tea) 

3. Beach socks (warm feet will feel really nice in the cold sand)

4. The Beach Blanket is the bare minimum I didn't have to mention this one. 

5. Bring beach tennis paddles or volleyball to play together. That'll keep you warm too. 

6. Re-usable utensils to go with your lunch or dinner you picked up. I just mentioned this because either they didn't put the fork in the or it dropped. 

7. An extra Sweater/Hoodie (for the lady of course). 

In conclusion, nothing beats great conversation but to a true beachy babe or bro, this is going to hit that spot. Thank me later. 

If you like getting video footage when you're in the Ocean but want to keep the budget under $60 when buying a water camera,  this is the post for you.  I've purchased a lot of these types of cameras throughout the past 9 years that I've been surfing to monitor my progress as well as document my journey.  

It's a good way to see what you do wrong, what you do right, learn the patterns of the ocean and let's not pretend we are not trying to get selfies. I've see People at the beach all the time renting a surf board just to take some pics with it. That's just where we at in social media now, lol. 

Is a $60 dollar Water Camera worth it? 

 In general, buying different cameras have always been apart of my professional hairstyling career to get video or photos of my models for various hair shows.  Since I was technically challenged and didn't know how to edit back then, the cheaper brands were my first choice. 

I figured they would be more simple to operate and if I broke or lost it, I could get another one right away.  So this is for those who were like me who need easy functions, good quality, resolution, battery life  and are they worth your 60 bucks ..  It's still money so we are not out here just throwing it away. 

Here are some of the action cameras I've owned so lets get into the specs, features and if it's worth buying: 

• Campark

• Cross tour 

• Crosstour Native

• HLS 4K Ultra HD

• Meerveil T899 4k

• ODVRM

• SJCAM

• YI Discovery  4k

Some of them I bought 2 -3 times after losing them in the Ocean.  Mainly because I really loved the quality of the film.  Other times are because of the construction of the water casing  being cheaply made.

  Once I was sucked into the rocks from a strong rip current. If I had not turned the surfboard quickly towards the rocks which resulted in crushing the mounted camera, I would have been seriously injured. I was able to get out of it when the tide pulled back and no dings in my surfboard. 

A couple of these water cameras are no longer sold on Amazon which is where I got them. I'll provide a link below. I'll start of with the ones I didn't like. 

2 things I do have to note about all the $60 water cameras are 

Pros

• the housing allows it to pop up and float in the Ocean (where as Go Pro sinks straight to the bottom with casing alone)

• they had tons of accessories to use in a camera carrying case 

• the batteries all have lasted longer in the Ocean allowing me a full session with hang time (vs my go pro which is why it took me so long to get one due to the numerous complaints about the battery). 

Cons

• All the battery doors suck. I've had to mix and match some thru the years or keep tape on the bottom because they are made very delicate. 

YI Discovery 4k was very generic to me and although very easy to operate, it was too simple with not a lot of options  (if that makes sense). I wanted to try it because it was Sony technology but I couldn't tell.  I returned it after testing it out a couple of times.

Campark 4k came with 2 rechargeable batteries and accessories in a sturdy camera box you can take with you. Video would come out grainy on sunny days, it worked well when it was cloudy but that's an aesthetic I wasn't trying to have all the time. Since purchasing, I've seen they have upgraded to a native so maybe it's better but I give it a 2 out of 5. 

Meerveil action camera is no longer sold. The cons of going with an unknown brand is some of them quickly disappear after you buy it so if you need a repair or questions, it's gone. 

Crosstour Native accessories were cheaply made and flimsy with the camera. They weren't the right sizes in the package to work with them. Also you had to work it a certain way for it to turn on and off that the company at the time noted once you purchased it. I returned it because I didn't have time for all that 1 out of 5 Stars.

Here's where I get into the specs of my top 3 water cams 

ODVRM is not sold anymore except you might find some old ones on eBay but it was a good camera with good quality resolution. The box, the casing and accessories it came in though were really good. I still use them all since buying back in 2017. I would have given it a 4 1/2 out of Stars for the quality with the price. 

SJCAM has moved up to the GoPro status in priciness with their line of water cameras they sell on their website. You can sill find the 4000 Series that I had on Amazon for $60 (it'll probably go up thou). Its a 4k 30FPS with image stabilization (maybe they upgraded that because my film would be shaky at times as compared to my go pro), 6G fisheye lens and 170 degree wide angle to capture every thing around you when surfing. 

There's a microphone but sounds muffled when in the case which is the same for all the water cams honestly. It's easy to operate, a ton of good accessories to use with different activates and the battery life is decent. I really loved the water casing, it's one of the best of all the cheaper models. Some just flip right open if you're into extreme sports. I purchased this one about 3 times. I loved the image quality but if it was cloudy outside, there was a lot of graininess to the film but worked excellent on sunny days. Some of the cameras are the opposite. I give this one a 4 out of 5 Stars. 

Crosstour Action Camera (not to be confused with the native above) is a really good responsibly priced camera. I bought 4 of them throughout the years because of the quality, resolution at about 1080 to 3k  and image stabilization. The batteries had very long life (60 minutes) and easy to operate. I didn't like the casing though. They tended to need fixing. Also was good in cloudy days but if there was too much Sun, my face would look darker when I went to edit them.  Some of my most viewed videos were with this camera. I still have one that's lasted for a few years now, it works randomly because I have used and abused it a lot in the rough Sea. I still give it a 4 1/2 out of 5. It's not sold on Amazon any longer but can be found on their website. 

HLS 4k Ultra HD has lasted the longest, the image quality and stabilization works good but the water casing design is my least favorite of all the cameras I've had. It's not that sturdy when in larger surf but I changed it out for an older camera's case. 

It supports 4k/30FPS, 1080/60FPS, 20MP image Resolution. Its also 170 wide angle, comes with a remote control (I've never used),  and 3 rechargeable batteries that last for 90 minutes. It has a slow motion, time lapse loop recording and WIFI  mode. When it's cloudy, the video footage comes out a little dark and grainy sometimes but I've been able to clean it up when editing..  Good new, they've upgraded to a newer model as well as it's $20 more but I'm sure it's worth it. The company also has good customer service.  Overall I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5

 I hope you'll find this list helpful and be able to get some good use of them as well.