The Local Break

Use caution.  Read the signs.  Know what you are surfing in.

I am usually glad to say goodbye to winter and see spring roll on through. As far as good quality, consistent, clean, not to crowded winter surf and bearable temperatures many locals are calling this the best winter for surf we have seen in 5 or 10 years.

What is better than a great surf session? Catching a great band at the coolest club in town. The Indestrcutibles played the Shorebreak last week. See you on the dance floor when they roll back through the Pier Beach in April.

 Interesting article….I am hoping for a good surfing season this fall! dave

 Study claims height of east coast waves increases in summer
In a study published in the recent issue of Journal of Coastal Research,
scientists note that there has been a rise in significant wave heights in
the past few years.  The study examined wave heights during hurricane
season, June 1st- November 30th.  Between the years of 1996-2005 extreme wave heights were both higher and more frequent than 30 years before.  The study notes that both intensities of hurricanes and increasedfrequency of storms contribute to this wave height rise.  The study also notes that increased wave height creates greater hazards to coastal communities. 

For more information: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23695692.

Here are a few pics from the website launch party

Aloha and happy 2008 Surfrider friends!  After many years and countless meetings to discuss the future of the chapter, we FINALLY have a new and improved website.  Yes- a new, fresh look to the chapter for the new year.   No swell today?  Get comfy and take a look at the new site and please give us your feedback.  (It sure beats getting in and out of that winter wetsuit after the holidays! )

Check back often.

(As overheard at Blue Wave Pizza one night) “New website, new year…perfect excuse to celebrate!”  Stay tuned for details on an upcoming party in February.  dp,cl,jp

Recently there has been a lot of talk about the potential of trying to harness the energy of the ocean and waves to meet some of the state’s energy needs. This conversation stems from Governor Carcieri’s desire to provide a significant portion of the state’s electricity using alternative, sustainable energy sources and reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels. See the recent article in the Providence Journal.

Representatives from the RI Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation met with officials from Oceanlinx (formerly Energetech), the Australian-based company that works with wave energy conversion, back in the late spring of 2004. At that point in time, there had been rumors circulating about the company looking to place a pilot wave attenuator off the breakwater of Point Judith. The RI Chapter had initial concerns about the placement of the pilot project, its potential impacts on the wave resource, and other environmental impacts. Since that time, the technology has completely changed and Oceanlinx has returned to RI with a renewed interest in harnessing RI’s wave energy.

The RI Chapter will continue to stay involved with this hot issue and seek out smart, environmentally-responsible solutions to our state’s energy needs. For more info on wave energy, click here. So what are your thoughts on the topic of wave energy?

Is the RI Chapter of Surfrider represented at the RI Energy Office Stakeholders meetings on the siting of wind turbines in RI State waters? If we are not already present we should try to get a representative to the meetings that are planned over the next month or so.I think information can be obtained from the RI Office of Energy Resources, perhaps calling Julie Capobianco who heads their renewable energy division (or email her).

The state is looking at one to three small wind turbine farms inside the 3 mile limit just offshore from Block Island, Watch Hill, and/or Little Compton.