On Competition

Marty was a much better competitor than I.   Going to Orange Coast College was probably just a ploy so he could room with his Guru, Corky.  He had the desire to participate in contests despite what Mikki would say.  He formed a contest strategy and used it pretty effectively.   I was a more of a reluctant participant and mainly surfed in local contests.  Marty and I rarely competed directly against one another.  One summer we did in a double "A" event held at Sunset ( not to be confused with Sunset Beach, Hawaii). We general surfed State Beach at the bottom of the Santa Monica on a daily basis unless Malibu had swell.  Marty would daily act out the role of the coach, plying us with compliments and subtle hints about what was "good competitive behavior".  He was are resident "best competitive surfer" and he relished the role.  He loved to act as if he was above the fray.  He would have made a good benevolent dictator.   So, the appointed day roles around and Marty had been telling me that: " this could be your contest", meaning I was a regular foot, who liked going right, at right point breaks.  It was all designed to soften me up.  My friend, my fellow team member, the guy that would do me no wrong.  We make it to the finals.  " It's me and you, Rob", he says, "We're going to win this thing".  It was typical weak, inconsistent, contest "must go on" type surf.  Marty new my short comings, like, I was not patient in waiting for waves.  A set comes and he says: "This one is it.  I'll give it to you, Rob.  Go!".  And go I did.  Of course Marty had played me, and he got great satisfaction out of it, the better wave laid outside.  He won I lost.    Marty you're forgiven.  All kidding aside, I love Marty and we always laugh about all this stuff. 
Thanks Marty for the memories. 
Mahalo, Robbie