The Dawn Patrol

Yeah Been a surf dude for ... let’s just say I started surfing in the summer of ‘66. Danny don’t surf. Where/ what the hell is “ Shrinks”. Call the f#%¥ place what it is....Swarmis. Used to be Swami’s since it’s near the “temple” but since the break was taken over by swarms of blacksuited boobies, hence the name Swarmi’s. Also, Dan , if you think you can pull that leash off in a really big wave wipeout...forget it. They make leashes with a ring pull device to release the cord and da board from your leg in that tight situation .The Velcro strap stays on ur ankle. Also we call it “tombstoning” not “ headstoning”when the board while still attached to ur leg rope makes it to the surface but u don’t. Also, a 5 ft leash would be way too short. You’d put your eye out with the board snapping back into ur face. Kono’s breakfast is way better . I lived on the Crystal Pier. U need a key to work the gate to make it open and when the waves get huge the entire Pier sways like an earthquake drill. Please employ a surfer to proof read ur jargon . As far as I’m concerned ur a kook!

Don Winslow is a gifted story teller - I enjoyed this one a lot. The back story on the history of surfing in Southern California was really interesting. The only reason for the missing star in the review is the extemely low probability, IMHO, of the characters in the Dawn Patrol actually being such good friends. But maybe anything is possible in the ocean...

Stands alongside the best of hardboiled detective fiction, but with a splash of Southern California sunshine and a sympathetic squad of surfer compatriots.

Captures the SoCal surf culture perfectly. Gripping and fun.