Vampire Day
Peace and quiet is hard to find sometimes, especially in a popular surfbreak in the middle of the summer holidays. Therefore us devoted and committed madmen venture out as early as possible to try to beat the crowd, score some waves and enjoy the silence and solitude of the ocean before the onslaught of the masses. Being particularly keen, I had arrived earlier than early, before any of the others. When the full moon is out we habitually get together and surf by moonlight, often at times of day or rather night that may well be considered ludicrous, insane or just downright stupid by people more grounded and with less salt water obsession between their ears. When the moon is running, so to speak, I usually get up at 2.45 am to make it to our home break and be on the water by 4. With a bit of luck we get a good two solid hours of surfing in the night by silver light before the less deranged crowds come strolling down our beach. On this day however, t...