“As Good As The Cove Gets” ft. Bobby Martinez, Mikey Feb, Barron Mamiya & More

Even the most seasoned of us know better than to expect a quality late-season swell.

If one does come through, it sure does sweeten the arrival of spring. The weather is balmier, the water a little warmer, and the wind has less bite. That step-up in the back of the van — with its glassy, autumnal wax job you thought you wouldn’t ride until later in the year — is already indented with the contours of your feet, familiar once again.

When the ocean decides to grace you with another offering, you take it. And thank your lucky stars.

As if clean, fun, late-March Rincon wasn’t a good enough treat for Britt Merrick and CI’s Global Team Manager, Brent Power, the swell also coincided with the presence of some of the triple hexagon’s upper-echelon team riders. Among the blessed were Mikey February, CTers Barron Mamiya and Bella Kenworthy, locals Bobby Martinez, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Eithan Osborne, and Stab’s wetsuit tester Josiah Amico.

Come inside to see the designs they were testing, including a first glimpse of an M-Feb shortboard still in the works — though it might have already made its debut at some tour stops this year.

And, how giving local break tips to visiting pro surfers might backfire.