Surfers and Dolphins

The day after Thanksgiving was clear, bright and unseasonably warm in Virginia Beach. It brought the surfers out in force; a convoy of Jeeps, Hummers, and pick-up trucks rumbled along the ocean road, halting in front of the stilted houses that line the beach. Surfers of all ages jumped out of their vehicles, slid into wet suits, grabbed their boards and headed over the dunes to the sea. The waves were breaking in a rolling surf -- drawing cheers, feet running faster toward the water, diving in and paddling out to the point where the waves began to form. Reaching an invisible line just past the break, in unison they waited, watching the waves gather strength, swell and race landward. At some just right moment, the boards turned, arms reaching out, splashing to propel the boards and surfers forward. The wave catches them and then with the power of gymnasts, grace of dancers, they were standing, gliding along the white crest of the surf. Every twist, turn seemed effortless yet purposeful. Closer to the shore, they jumped off the boards, did an end zone dance and turned to paddle out again for the next perfect ride. And this time, while they waited, a pod of dolphins leapt out of the water, surfing the swells and swimming amongst the humans in communal delight on this gorgeous late November day.

It just doesn't get much better than this.

Photo taken on Friday, November 28, 2008 in Virginia Beach, Virginia