I took off on a foamball double up, intending to have the corner-crumble push me out onto clean face. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was a paddler caught inside the flats right in front of me with the "deer in the headlights" look in his eyes. My options were to either run him over or grab the rails, roll over and take a beating. I chose the latter. When I flipped over,  the board was ripped out of my hands and the next thing I felt was the impact to my nose. I think I got hit by the tip of one of my side fins.

 

I have been using Diamond Tips on my boards for years. Maybe now it's time I start using Pro-Teck fins as well. I have been surfing for nearly 40 years, but you are never too old to learn how to do things a little bit smarter.

 

Here are some pictures of the damage and of happier moments. (surf photos by Joe Ewing)