The day before yesterday I arrived at the little paradise of Rodiles, and at first I didn't feel like going in. Quite a lot of guys out there at the peak and considering their size, the waves were actually pretty steep and fast. Not for me on my backhand. I took some photos with different lenses, made some food and played with Djinga instead.
In the afternoon at high tide I got in and had the wave completely to myself, thus could get used to it. So, the next morning I gave it a go at low tide when it's best. Again, it was quite busy and one guy soon paddeled up to me (quite friendly actually) and told me that the outside would be somewhat of a regulars' table where strangers are not really welcome. So I'd better sit a bit more on the inside. At the end of the queue. Where it's never really your turn actually.
I understand that they don't want to loose their predominance at this epic spot to anyone. But by all means - ten or more locals and one visitor, does it matter to share every tenth or so wave with him or her? It surely does! Because everyone has a better time if we do! RESPECT THE TRAVELLERS (that have sometimes come thousands of miles to share good times) could be a bit of an update to the square and meanwhile widely accepted 'respect the locals' shibboleth. I got a few pearls anyway and the bit of pressure actually made me do alright on them. At least it felt like that.
The day's been so sunny that I had lunch barefoot with t-shirt, then continued my reading of "Sophie's World", repaired the tail of my board (again) and rang up my brother in law for his birthday. The eucalyptus trees spread their lovely scent in the warmth, and the coo-coo of the pidgeons and smiling families passing by my little camp made me quickly forget about the somewhat tense vibe in the water.
In the arvo I hit the road to Gijon since I read about some promising spot east of the city that works on all tides and holds a big swell. Bingo! Clean 3 m ramps rolling into the bay, and as the guy I met in the carpark put it: "If you go you'll be three out there". What a session. Soon we were only two, a guy about twice my age on a longboard and me. Sunset. Solid sets with no sections, my board bouncing at that speed. Lefts and rights, long turns, big smiles. Loads of waves later, arms tired I walked back up the hill to the van. The offshore wind felt unnaturally warm now and a quick glimps on the thermometer made it clear that the temperature had gone up to 19 °C!
T-shirt time in a starlit night, a big yellow pancake full moon rising, and a fancy red wine (1,25 Euro the bottle) candle-light dinner in the van, which I parked atop the bay, overlooking Gijon by night. Nice and levelled. And with a lighthouse in sight of course.