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Olympus Stylus 790 SW at Georges in Cardiff

I sold all my old electronics on Craigslist to fund this really cool Olympus camera. The Stylus 790 SW is a shockproof, waterproof digital camera with a 3x optical zoom that can store photos up to 7.1 megapixels in resolution. After seeing the photos by Neal Miyake here, I was sold.

My main concern at first was how to hold the thing while paddling around on a surfboard. I’ve used other bulky, semi-disposable underwater cameras and they typically have a velcro strap that wraps around your wrist. I never really liked this for obvious reasons, and luckily Brian pointed me in a different direction to surfcamera.com. Their camera pouch attaches just below the collarbone on any wetsuit.

I tried the camera out yesterday and it was a blast. Both the pouch and the camera are incredible. It’s roughly $325 for both (camera + pouch) and you can’t beat the quality and convenience.

Unfortunately, the camera can only store ten seconds of high quality footage, but that’s usually enough to get some good surfing footage. Lower quality settings let you record up to thirty seconds.

Here’s the footage from Yesterday.

Pipes

Hayley and I drove up the coast to Cardiff and I surfed just south of Swamis at Pipes. The wind picked up but the surf was still ridable.  After taking a few nice lefts and a good right I paddled in to pick up Hayley.  Overall, it ruled. 

San Elijo Campground

2005-11-19 – I camped out in Cardiff at the San Elijo campground.  The night of the 19th was a total bust as the reports predicted surf much larger than the sets I actually saw.  After a fun night (not recommended when you plan on getting up at 6:30 the next day), we woke up to glassy conditions and 3-5 foot surf.  It was an absolute relief and incredibly fun.  I found my own little peak and I was surfing lefts and rights for hours.

I walked up the coast afterward and got a few pics at Pipes.  For more, go to http://www.michaelscottweber.com/picture_pages_engine.php?dir=2005_11_20-Cardiff_Surf