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Archive for the 'Surf Junkie Jeff' Category

Rob Machado’s latest creation

February 9th, 2010, 7:51 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

 

rob_machado_finless_alaia_ci-512x6911It 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.

WSA event in HB this weekend

February 8th, 2010, 7:41 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

 

wsa-surfIt’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

Rare beaver found near Trestles

February 7th, 2010, 9:32 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

beaver1San 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.

Aaron Chang Art Reception

February 6th, 2010, 7:18 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

aaron-chang1World-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

The Harbour Chronicles: A Life in Surfboard Culture

February 5th, 2010, 7:57 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

 

rich-harbourA new art exhibit and book featuring one of Southern California’s most famous surfboard shapers is about to be unveiled in Costa Mesa. 

Rich Harbour of Harbour Surfboards in Seal Beach has been mowing foam for more than 50 years and will soon be giving the rest of the world a behind the scenes look at his life’s work.

It’s called The Harbour Chronicles: A Life in Surfboard Culture.  The exhibit will showcase more than 40 significant surfboards, the recreation of three shaping rooms, several images and objects including: rare photographs, vintage clothing and many of Harbour’s original shaping tools.

A Life in Surfboard Culture will be on display at the Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion at Orange Coast College starting next week.  There will be an opening reception on Saturday, February 13th from 5 p.m to 9 p.m which is open to the public.  The exhibit will run until Friday, April 9, 2010.  For more info. and where to buy the book, check out harboursurfboards.com.

When: Saturday, February 13 through Friday, April 9, 2010

Where:  Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion, Orange Coast College

Professional Longboard Association event #1

February 4th, 2010, 7:48 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

The Nation’s best longboarders are getting ready for the first stop of the 2010 Professional Longboard Association.  This years series is made up of six stops, one of which will take place in Costa Rica and the other five along the Southern California coast.

The 2010 PLA schedule is the ASP’s official North America qualifying series for both Professional Men’s and Women’s World Longboard Tour events.  Some of the top talent from the Southland includes: San Clemente’s Josh Baxter and Colin McPhillips and Huntington Beach’s Josh Mohr. 

Representing the Women’s division includes:  U.S. Women’s Longboard Champion Lindsay Steinreide from Dana Point, Cori Schumacher from Carlsbad and Kaitlin McGuire from San Diego.  For more info. check out surfpla.com.

When: Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2010

Where: Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego

Gudauskas Bros expand relationship with Vans

February 3rd, 2010, 8:41 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

 

Three of Orange County’s most notable pro surfers are sporting another line of apparelgudauskas-bros these days.  Patrick, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas represented O’neill clothing for several years, but just recently signed a new six-year contract with another major action sports brand.

The trio from San Clemente have been a part of the Vans shoe program for a number of years and will now expand their relationship with the industry giant to include clothing and accessories too!

As part of the deal, the Gudauskas bros will work directly with the Vans design team to provide their input for the company’s boardshort program and Surfsiders footwear collection.

24-year old Pat Gudauskas and 21-year old Tanner are both getting fired up for their first year on the 2010 ASP Dream Tour, while Dane, Pat’s twin brother, will be in search of big waves and competing in ASP World Qualifying Series 6-Star Prime events.  For more info. check out Vans.com.

Paddle Out for Gregory Gladstone in Newport this Saturday

February 2nd, 2010, 7:42 am by Jeff Malanca, contributing writer

 

gred-gladstoneA Memorial Paddle Out is being held for longtime Newport Beach local Gregory Gladstone this Saturday at the Newport Beach Pier

Everyone is invited to the paddle out at 10 a.m and then at 2 p.m there will be a potluck celebration at the grass park next to the American Legion Post #291 located at 215 East 15th street in Newport Beach.

The 38-year old was found unconscious in the water while surfing near his Balboa home on January 23rd.  The cause of death of Gregory Gladstone has yet to be determined by the Orange County Coroner. 

Meanwhile, instead of flowers the family would appreciate donations for the education fund for the Gladstone’s two children.  Please make checks payable to: In Memory of Gregory Gladstone.  You can send or deliver them to Jeff Qualey at Anderson Elementary 1900 Port Seabourne Way, Newport Beach CA 92660.

When: Saturday, February 6th at 10 a.m.

Where: Newport Beach Pier

 
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