[dropcap]R[/dropcap]esident surfers in the Bahamas are hoping March yields less of an onshore flow— February produced a stream of frontal systems and accompanying northerly winds—and some of those epic days that a Bahamian winter can produce. March is generally the last month to feature a steady winter pattern and you can expect plenty of swell. As always be on it when the wind goes light or offshore because it may not last long. Focus on breaks that work on north and northeast swells.
Depending on what El Nino has to say about it, by the end of the month water temps will begin to climb. In mid-February we were seeing some very cool water temps as the jetstream dipped down into the archipelago, and according to my friend who tunes into Cuban radio (and speaks Spanish), that island even experienced some record low temps. But as I write this, it’s a blue-clear day, sunny and the air temp is hovering in the mid-to-high 70s, with water temp in the surf about the same. Not too bad for one of our “colder” winters of late. To summate, bring a wetsuit top if you feel the cold.
Also budget for at least one day or night of Eleuthera’s annual ‘All That Jazz’ festival beginning March 30 at Rainbow Inn and then onto Governor’s Harbour. This year they are adding more Bahamian musicians to the lineup and if you are on, or near, our island it’s something for the ‘To Do’ list. Pray for surf and until next time enjoy our wild Bahamas!