Hot sun, hotter sand, overhead break and 2-stroke mist; drop anchor, you made it to the semi-annual Joe Kenny Pismo Freeride. This year’s Spring Break special was held March 13th through the 15th in Pismo Beach, California and once again brought together the ultimate in riders and freeride skis in the industry today. With everything and everyone on hand, Pismo’s hospitality didn’t disappoint. Arriving Friday morning, the break was holding solid with calm winds, clean skies and a piercing overhead sun.
Saturday proved to be heyday as most rolled in, set up a quick camp and got their piece of action in the surf. The common late-morning wind stayed away, the tide was low and conditions couldn’t get any better. Being too hot for a wetsuit, many chose to ditch it on the shore and tear it up in a pair of board shorts, proving to us all again why we come back every year during the winter.
TC Freeride was front and center on the shoreline Saturday afternoon throwing down a full scale, massive BBQ lunch for anyone that wanted in. On display were rows of Rickter skis in all varieties, with the new “Edge” being demo’d. Late afternoon riding on Saturday proved to be epic as the waves stayed mellow and spread apart, giving a technical surf riding aspect to them.
With a camera-blowing sunset falling into the big blue, it was Liquid Militia that hosted a taco dinner special provided by their team riders. After that was inhaled, LQM had a raffle for one off, custom made swag. Sitting around the ever-growing group fire and watching raw aerial footage of the day’s riding on a big screen revealed we are never alone out there, as a great white shark was caught on film.
Sunday was laid back, weather holding hot and calm, with surf up and overheads almost every set. It was all about checking out and seeing what the variety of skis available could do in the water. Krash Industries had their new “Reaper” tearing it up while a newcomer to the Freeride, RHAAS Products had a custom one-off, insane 550 that was old school at a glance with new school technology hiding in the details.
All in all, this Pismo three-day getaway had everything: killer surf, the best weather many have ever experienced there, a takeover of Mile Marker Four’s camp site and good people. Waiting seven months to do it again in October can’t come soon enough.
All images courtesy of Brandi Rademaker and unaltered originals can be purchased HERE.
