A perfect tanker surfing adventure begins with perfect conditions–calm seas and calm winds. So far this season, those elements have eluded us. Records have been shattered pertaining to persistent wind, rain(lack of) and now temperatures. June has now been recorded as being the hottest in history in Galveston. A religious zealot will exclaim “end of days”! Personally, I subscribe to the “it’s just the weather” theory.

When Jimmy and Angela Mooney booked a tanker surf charter some months back, none of these weather phenomenons had materialized. All they knew was that their 10 year Wedding Anniversary was upcoming and they wanted to celebrate it right! Both longtime surfers grew up in the Houston area but were now living in Cajun Country–deep in the heart of Lousiana. The date was set and the charter booked.

As the date approached, Capt. Fulby kept in touch with the latest weather reports—windy. Oh well things are still a go anyway. Low and behold an early Tropical Storm is brewing in the Southern Gulf, far enough away to not be a threat, but close enough to possibly generate some swell??

Day 1–the lovely couple pulls into Galveston to witness the arrival of a 3-4′ groundswell with green water and light winds—WOW.  The decision is made to take advantage of a very rare summer ground swell on the beach and postpone tanker surfing. Risky, as winds could pick back up and blow their chances (pardon the pun) of getting some tanker love.

Day 2-perfect surfing conditions continue along the beachfront—this isn’t happening! Chest high ground swell—green water again and even less wind. Hey, whatta ya gonna do? More great surfing along the Seawall, with tanker surfing a “GO” on the following day.

day 3–5:30am arrives. Dead calm! These guys have scored a perfect 10 surf experience for their landmark 10 year anniversary and the boat hasn’t even left the launch! Within 10 minutes of departing, Capt. Fulby had the stoked surf couple doing the boat jump and paddling into their 1st tanker wave.

For the next 6 hours, winds remained light to non existent. The tankers were abundant, as were the waves, but the big ones eluded us. They both netted long rides and experienced the thrill and challenges of tanker surfing, a perfect way to cap off a surfing adventure they will remember forever and a perfect 10 Year Wedding Anniversary.