SURFING SOAPBOX: Spring fever swells and Lapus beckon

Is there anything better than daylight saving? Well maybe a couple of things — like a good swell, north or south, it doesn’t matter. I’ll take a straight closed-out west swell for that matter. This year has to be the flattest of my aging 38.

In surfing years, I’m like 105.

There are two guys who know every swell of every year and actually keep records of it. One is Dennis McTighe, who’s like a walking encyclopedia of wind, weather and swell.

The other is Ray Williams, a longtime Laguna surfer who keeps records while waiting for his next game of volleyball.

I’m not sure what’s better than daylight saving time, but I do know anything’s better than it getting dark at 5 p.m. I go absolutely mad during the early sunset months. Ah, yes, spring fever is in the air. An extra hour of light. Bring on the warm water and warm weather.

OK, so the warm water is a few months off.

Unless of course it’s an El Niño year, which I don’t think it is. Better get back to Dennis and Ray for more on that.

Speaking of warm weather, has anyone seen the newly finished Royal Hawaiian? It looks great. I love the new look with the palms, and I hear the food’s good.

My dad even mentioned it to me.

How classic would that be, Dad and I drinking Lapu Lapus at the bar.

Speaking of Laguna establishments, I popped my head into the Lumberyard and, wow, they did a fantastic job remodeling it. Pretty dapper, to say the least.

On another note, if you ever find yourself in Anaheim like I did last week while attending the Natural Products trade show, I suggest staying at the Menage hotel.

It’s a great place where Vegas meets the beach with style. I loved it.

Till next week; maybe I’ll see you at the Hula Hut.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com