My boat, and Rick was miles away on his boat. I braved the current of the inlet alone and resisted the overwhelming temptation to ask one of the many passing jet skis or powerboats to give me a tow. It was a matter of pride to try to make it on my own. And I ultimately did make it through without embarrassing myself too much in front of the fishermen on one side and the rock-and-roll beach crowd on the other side.

Just another comment -- and hint for ultimate success. Another Wave was coming in the channel at the same time, and he did get a tow from a powerboat. Unfortunately, he had the powerboat release him from the tow right on the up-current side of the bridge. He was then in danger again of being sucked back through the bridge by the current. He was there fighting it for quite some time before he was able to make it back to the beach. So the moral is, if you get a tow, make sure you are well away from the tidal drainhole before you release from your towboat.