Well That Just Happened - an Advanced to Expert Waco Trip

During the Waco Beginner's Trip last August, I had the opportunity to try out one of their new Barrel waves. Just prior to that, they released an amazing set of videos showing that same wave looking like an easy takeoff, setup, and ride through to the end. 

I should have known better. 

The surfing world is very good at marketing. And the general formula is - get a pro to rip on video or in a photo, and then watch as we all buy what they are selling. 

Like I said, I should have known better. The initial video of the pro surfer taking off on said wave barreling wave profile looked incredibly easy. I promoted it as a great way to learn barrel riding - a warm up to Surf Ranch - take your barrel riding to the next level. 

Oops. That's really all I can say. Because when I tried this new wave profile in August during the Beginner trip (with advanced to expert surfers), I realized the reality of this wave. It was not an easy takeoff, nor an easy set up, and no, it would not be a warm up to the Surf Ranch barrel. But it was incredibly rewarding when you made the wave. And a bit punishing learning it. 

So I called an emergency meeting with the advanced to expert group that signed up to come ride this wave profile. The original plan was to run it in almost all of the private sessions. Our meeting was to inform them that the wave was more difficult than originally understood; and that if anyone wanted to back out, they could. And if we all deemed it not as fun getting whomped for four hours over the weekend, we could change the plan and surf other wave profiles.

I'm always so grateful for my clients in many ways. And in this instance, I'm just so thankful of how open-minded everyone was. No one backed out, and everyone was down to at least try it - and pivot if it wasn't quite their cup of tea. 

Alterations to the original plan were made, and we ended up surfing three different wave profiles across four private sessions - two barrel profiles and one advanced profile (twice); and throughout the weekend I surfed a total of five different profiles (including the public sessions). The alterations we made created an incredibly fun time with a great crew of surfers. 

Surfers were pounded, bruised, and we even had a fractured bone. But the smiles, joy and experience gained were (dare I say) worth it. 

Once again, the highlight from this trip wasn't from the surf sessions we had, though they were plentiful and amazingly fun (between the four privates and the multiple other publics). The true highlights were those in-between moments.

A few friends we knew just happened to show up that same weekend - laughs were shared and great conversations had. Waco locals showed their hospitality in the lineups, their aloha emanating all the way through the weekend. The staff were incredibly helpful and stoked for us. And of course the informal get togethers we all had were some of the most memorable. 

On our last day, four of us were left - me, my son (the "intern"), and two other surfers. Upon our goodbyes we gave the customary hugs and my son wanted a group bear hug with all of us. One of the most classic lines after that iconic squeeze will be eternally burned into my brain.

Coming from one of the surfers, in a dead-pan kind of comedic delivery, he said, "Well, that just happened." And then he walked away. Nothing else needed to be said as we cracked up. 

Big thanks to all who trusted me and were so open to the new adventures. Also huge thanks to Rob Henson who provided the best quality videography while we were there. Thanks also to our "intern", who got his waves too. 

Let's do that again.

Currently I am planning a April/May/June (dates WIP) 2025 Intermediate to Advanced trip. All are invited to join in the weekend of fun around the private sessions we book, but if you are interested in joining in the four private sessions (two intermediate and two advanced wave profiles), please let me know.

And I'm always looking for 2-3 others to split the expert privates while I'm there - anyone up for a beating? I mean, barrel? 

Video and photography by: Rob Henson Surf Shots, Flowstate, and the "intern".