If you like to collect old surfboards and surf memorabilia then this is an event you’ll definitely want to check out this weekend. 

The Longboard Collector Club will be having a big surf swap meet in Seal Beach this Saturday where you can buy, sell or trade old surf stuff.

There will be a large display of vintage surfboards, skateboards, bellyboards, posters, surf flicks, books, clothing and anything else surf related.

If you’ve never been to one of these events, it’s really cool to see some of the old retro surf goods that people show up with. 

And who knows maybe you’ll find an amazing deal on an old classic board from back in the day.  For more info. check out the longboardcollectorclub.com.

When: Saturday, November 7th  at 8 a.m

Where: Mahe Restaurant, 1400 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach

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If you want the chance to meet the first ASP World Champion then this is something to check out in the coming weeks. 

Peter ”PT” Townend will be hosting “Coffee Conversations, Talk Story and Bustin’ Down the Door at Huntington Surf and Sport.

The Aussie legend will be discussing surfboards and telling stories about what the surf scene was like back in the day. 

And if you’re in the market for a new stick, PT’s Santa Cruz surfboard model,the Stylemaster retro single fin will be available to check out or buy.

There will also be a ton of FREE giveaways and a drawing for a chance to win a FREE Santa Cruz Cruzer skateboard.

Where: Huntington Surf and Sport, 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach (714) 841-4000

When: November 14th, November 28th, December 12th and December 19th which is a special Groms day for Christmas.  Each event goes from 7 a.m to noon.

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There are a handful of pro surfers who have made a major impact on the sport of surfing, but one that really comes to mind in the last few years is a guy by the name of Rob Machado. 

This soulful surfer grew up having an amazing amateur career, followed by a great run on the ASP World Championship Tour and is now one of the most famous ambassadors of the sport.

If  you’re a fan of Mr. Machado then you’ll definitely want to watch his new movie, “The Drifter”. 

The movie is filmed in some of Indonesia’s most remote locations where Machado has nothing more than his surfboard, a tent and a journal. 

The Drifter is being shown at several venues over the next few weeks.  This Thursday, November 5th there will be a screening in Los Angeles at The Montalban at 8 p.m.  Then there’s another showing in Laguna Beach on Thursday, November 19th at The South Coast Theatre at 7 p.m.

You can also watch this Thursday’s screening via a live webcast at www.hurley.com/live.  For tickets or more info. check out  www.thedriftermovie.com or www.hurley.com.

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If you want to watch the best men and women surfers in the business walking the nose and hanging ten, then this is an event you won’t want to miss.

The 2009 Professional Longboard Association is holding the PLA Pro Championships in a little more than a week from now. 

The ASP sanctioned  Longboard Qualifying Series contest is the final event of the five stop tour.

Some of the top talent competing from Orange County includes: San Clemente’s Josh Baxter who’s the current points leader in the North America longboard tour ratings andColin McPhillips who’s also from San Clemente.

Some of the notable names taking part in the women’s division include: Cardiff’s Cori Schumacher and Pacific Beach’s Jennifer Smith. 

The 2009 PLA Championships will also host a division for the best amateur longboarders and a stand up paddle board race.  For more info. check out surfpla.com.

When: Friday, November 13th, Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th

Where: Oceanside Pier

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Several of the world’s best big wave surfers gathered at one of the West Coast’s most popular big wave surf spots last weekend. 

The Mavericks Surf Contest held its opening ceremony for the 2009/2010 winter season.

Mother nature didn’t provide any surf for this yearly ritual, but a couple dozen big wave chargers gathered on the beach and in the water to bless the official waiting period of the prestigious event.

Some of the big wave surfers that took part in the festivities included: Santa Cruz’s Peter Mel, San Clemente’s Greg Long and Evan Slater.  Some of the other invited surfers that will be competing include: South Africa’s Grant “Twiggy” Baker, San Clemente’s Nathan Fletcher, Brock Little and Jamie Sterling.  

The official Mavericks Contest season opened on Sunday, November 1st and runs through March 31st 2010.  The 24 competing surfers will be given a 24-hour notice once the call has been made to start the event.  For more info. and contest alerts, go to maverickssurf.com.

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One of North America’s most prestigious surf contests is just a couple days away from starting.  The 2009 O’neill Coldwater Classic will attract some of the world’s best surfers.

The 6-Star Prime ASP World Qualifying Series event happens at Santa Cruz’s most famous surf spot…Steamer Lane. 

Some of the notable names from Orange County competing in the big event include: Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson and San Clemente’s Nate Yeomans.

There are also a handful of Dream Tour surfers such as Jordy Smith, Adriano De Souza, Nathaniel Curran, Roy Powers and Huntington Beach’s Timmy Reyes taking part in the contest. 

19-year old Nat Young took home the win at last years prestigious event.  So we’ll have to wait and see if the Santa Cruz local boy can do it again.  For more info. or to watch the live action, go to oneillcwc.com.

When: Monday, November 2nd through Sunday, November 8th

Where: Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz

Post from: OC Beach Blog

The North Shore of Oahu is about to kick into high gear in the next few weeks.  The first contest of the winter season is about to start at Sunset Beach which is one of the top spots on the famous seven mile stretch of coast.

The 2009 Xcel Pro is a 2-star ASP World Qualifying Series event with several notable big wave chargers competing.   They include: 3-time World Champion Andy Irons, Derek Ho, Sunny Garcia and Pancho Sullivan.  

Surfline forecasters are calling for a good northwest, north-northwest swell to start showing on Friday, which means the event could take to the water on the first day of the holding period.

The events official waiting period begins on Friday, October 30th and runs through Tuesday, November 10th. To watch the live action, check out xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com. 

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Well it goes to show the sport of surfing is getting more and more recognition.  Just recently I came across a Visa Black card advertisement with former ASP WCTer Shane Dorian featured in the ad.

It’s nice to know that professional surfers these days are getting the opportunity to make more money besides just the surf company sponsors and contest winnings.

If you don’t remember a couple of years ago, Big Wave Charger Laird Hamilton was featured in a national American Express commercial for several months.  And I’m sure Hamilton took home a pretty good paycheck from that.

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If you were a friend of Huntington Beach surf legend Chris Hawk or you surfed with him over the years, then you’ll definitely want to attend his memorial and paddle out this Sunday.

The HB local and surfer/shaper lost his battle with oral cancer last Friday at his home in San Clemente.  

Since then, a makeshift memorial with surfboards, photos and flowers has been set up outside of Huntington Surf and Sport on the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

If Chris Hawk ever shaped you a custom board or you just happen to have one of his surfboards in your quiver, then you’re encouraged to bring it to the paddle out and ride it!

When: Sunday, November 1st 11 a.m

Where: Northside of the Huntington Beach Pier

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If you surf Blackie’s in Newport Beach then this is an event you won’t want to miss.  The Blackie’s Classics Longboard Association is holding its 6th annual Halloween Costume contest this weekend.

This isn’t a typical surf competition where judges are only looking for the best ride, but also the best costume.  

About three dozen surfers showed up in costumes last year, including one surfer who came dressed as Laker superstar Kobe Bryant.

The event will start about 7 a.m and wrap up about 10 a.m.  So if you can surf and you think you have a really cool costume this year, come down just north of the Newport Beach Pier on Halloween morning.

When: Saturday, October 31st 7 a.m

Where: Blackie’s, Newport Beach

Post from: OC Beach Blog