February 9th, 2010, 7:51 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer
It seems many of the world’s best surfers are experimenting with their equipment more and more these days.
Some guys are making conservative changes with shorter, wider and thicker boards, while others like Channel Islands team riders Kelly Slater and Rob Machado are going pretty extreme.
Just recently I came across a photo of Machado’s latest creation on the Channel Islands website. It’s called an“Alaia” which is a very thin, finless wood surfboard which dates back to the 1900’s. Rob’s board has the same shape as what the boys were riding in Hawaii back in the day, but his is made with foam and glass.
Now, I’m not sure if this stick is going to be available for custom orders, but you can always check out the cisurfboards.com website or call the Channel Islands store in Santa Barbara at (805) 966-7213 or the LA C.I store at (323) 370-1700.
Posted in: Beach culture • Latest surf news • Surf Junkie Jeff • Surfing • Weird stuff on the water | Post a Comment »
February 8th, 2010, 9:53 am by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
Two well-known surfers who could be found on any given day on the sands of Newport Beach passed away in recent days.
Mike Marshall, longtime member of the Blackies Surf Club and shaper for Harbour Surfboards, passed away on Feb. 6 in his Costa Mesa home. He was 67.
Marshall was among the 100 founding partners and a staunch supporter of the Surfing Heritage Foundation (SHF). The surfboard shaper was also Committee Chair for the Educational Committee as well as one of SFH’s lead docents and historians, according to Surfline.com.
Read more about Marshall from this Surfline article.
Blackies surfers were already mourning from the unexpected loss of Mike Spence on Feb. 3. Spence - who made a perfect Santa each year with his big, white beard - passed away after complications from spinal surgery. Read more from Newportsurfshots.com.
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February 8th, 2010, 7:41 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer
It’s that time again where several amateur surfers from up and down the California coast will be taking over one Orange County surf spot for a couple of days.
The seventh stop of the 2009/2010 Western Surfing Association Gatorade Championship Tour is coming to Surf City this weekend.
Some of the regular WSA standouts include: Huntington Beach Grom Kanoa Igarashi, Rick Fignetti, aka Rockin Fig who’s currently second in the Legends 50 and old division ratings, Long Beach’s Matt Taylor and Open Women’s division ripper Madi Swayne from San Clemente.
The WSA contests have several divisions for all age groups including: Micro Grom, Boys, Girls, Open Men’s, Masters, Senior Men’s, Legends, Open Women’s and a number of divisions for those longboard enthusiasts.
Finalists in all divisions will walk away with some great prizes. This weekends two-day competition takes place at Goldenwest street in Huntington Beach. For more info. and heat times, go to surfwsa.org.
When: Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2010
Where: Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach
Posted in: Beach news • Competitions • Day trips • Events • Latest surf news • Local surfers recognized • More things to do on the coast • Surf Junkie Jeff • Surfing | Post a Comment »
February 7th, 2010, 9:32 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer
San Onofre State Park officials last week found a North American beaver at the river mouth of the San Mateo Creek near Trestles.
According to State Parks officials, the animal was once a native species to the San Mateo Creek area, but were thought to be nearly extinct in the area.
Officials speculate that the animal may be related to a small population of beaver, which was re-introduced to the Santa Margarita watershed by the Department of Fish and Game in the 1940s to help with erosion control.
Since then, the beavers have migrated to nearby creeks and watersheds in the area, including those in the Cleveland National Forest and San Mateo Creek.
State Parks officials are unclear where this specific beaver originally came from, but they are sure it resided in the one of the streams that flows into the San Mateo Creek.
San Mateo Creek has been the site of a battle between the Surfrider Foundation and other environmental groups, and the Transportation Cooridor Agencies, which sought to build a toll road through the area.
“This discovery supports our assertion that the San Mateo Creek has a thriving watershed ecosystem that deserves the highest level of protection from its source in the mountains to the ocean,” says Mark Rauscher, Surfrider Foundation’s Assistant Environmental Director.
According to State Parks scientists, the beaver had suffered some sort of trauma before being found and died after being captured.
Posted in: Beach news • Environment • Surf Junkie Jeff • Weird stuff on the water | 25 Comments »
February 6th, 2010, 7:14 pm by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
Greg Gladstone loved to be outdoors, especially in the ocean, where he felt most at home.
It wasn’t atypical that dolphins to swim near him, one time nearly knocking him off his board.
“He just felt at home there,” said his wife, Alex, wiping tears from her eyes.
The 38-year-old Newport surfer who was found floating in big waves in Newport Beach on Jan. 23 was remembered by friends and family on Saturday morning under cloudy skies, with wind-whipped waters crashing on the sand nearby.
The water was too dangerous for a traditional paddleout ceremony – where fellow surfers paddle in a circle offshore to give tribute to one of their own – so loved ones gathered on the sand north of the Newport Pier for the tribute.
They formed a circle, telling stories about Gladstone’s life. A lifeguard boat rocked in the choppy water, spraying a water cannon and sounding its siren. After the remembrance, everyone walked to the end of the pier and threw flowers into the ocean as tears flowed.
Read the full story on OC Register here.
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February 6th, 2010, 9:50 am by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
Organizers have postponed the 23rd annual HB Longboard Crew Pier Paddle until next Saturday due to dangerous conditions.
Club president Gary Sahagan wrote that high winds and rain put a damper on the event. It will be held at 10 a.m. next Saturday.
For those who want to join the race, it is open to all ages with one open division. First through sixth place finishers will be awarded. All participants should use a standard surfboard for the race. No racing type paddle boards will be allowed. Boards need to be less than twelve feet as a maximum.
Entries will be accepted on a first come-first served basis to 100 maximum starting at 9am on the beach. The Huntington Beach Longboard Crew suggests a $5.00 donation unless your club dues are paid up for 2010.
For further information and to inquire about loaner boards please email info@hblongboardcrew.org
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February 6th, 2010, 7:18 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer
World-renowned photographer Aaron Chang has been a fixture in the surf scene for many years and in the next week will be unveiling some of his latest work in Surf City USA.
“Liquid Lens” is a collaboration of Aaron Chang’s most recent photos. This will be his first ever showing in Orange County.
It all happens inside the lobby of the new Shorebreak Hotel in downtown Huntington Beach. The gallery reception is open to the public and will include cocktails and appetizers from Zimzala Restaurant and Bar.
Chang is known for his photographic imagery. This award winning photographer has over 100 magazine cover shots to his credit. Aaron’s work has appeared in numerous publications ranging from sports, travel and rock and roll to fashion. For more info. check out aaronchanggallery.com.
When: Saturday, February 13, 2010 6 p.m
Where: Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Highway
Posted in: Beach culture • Beach news • Events • Latest surf news • More things to do on the coast • Surf Junkie Jeff • Surfing | Post a Comment »
February 5th, 2010, 5:41 pm by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
My favorite beach pizza joint, Original Pizza in Newport Beach, is hosting a fund-raiser to raise money for the non-profit Giving it Back to Kids, which helps poor regions in Vietnam.
If you’re a surfer and looking for some grub after a Newport session, come grab a slice or whole pizza. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 9, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the cause. All the staff are donating their time.
Get there early, last year crowds crammed into the Newport pizzeria to help give back. Location: 2121 W. Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach.
More info: call 949–673-1451.
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