Beach Blog

Surf Report 5-11-08

Jeff Malanca — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:35:14 +0000

Waking up with the waves on Sunday. Well it looks like she’s definitely coming alive. Yep we’ve got a pretty good dose of action out there. It’s mostly clean with some south southwest swell in the water. That recipe is making for some fast semi-wally lefts, with a few against the grain rights.

Most OC beaches are running about waist to chest high with the top south facing spots pulling shoulder high waves, with some occasional head high sets. At 9:52 a.m the tide drains out to a negative 0.3 low which will have many breaks lacking water mid morning. The tide then pushes back up to a four foot high at 5:07 this evening.

If you’re gonna grab a session, well that water temp has taken a little dip again, so you might want to break out the 4/3 full again, with it averaging between 57 and 59 degrees.

For more surf info. check out surfline.com.

See ya in the water!!

Opening day for boating kicks off with booze and a bang

Laylan Connelly — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:50:37 +0000

Larry Fortmuller finally found an excuse to invest in a pair of white buckskin shoes.
“When do you get a chance to do that?” he asked, showing them off along with his navy blue blazer and crisp white pants. “Now that I’m older, I get to do this stuff.”
Fortmuller, a member of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for four years, had a good excuse to dress up in his sailor garb – it was opening day for the boating season on Saturday, and he was ready to party.
The club closed its doors Friday night, and then opened them back up on Saturday as a symbolic gesture to kick off the boating season. Most yacht clubs around the world have opening day parties, but the celebrations are a bigger deal in cold-weather marinas where boating shuts down during winter.
“California has no real opening day. It’s open everyday, because of the climate,” said Gary Jackson, a party crasher from the American Legion club.
The day started off with the Coast Guard Auxiliary inspecting the boats to make sure they are seaworthy.
Flags were strung up to the boats, and bottles of champagne sat in the water. Boaters once did this when they came into port to keep the alcohol cold to celebrate their homecoming.
The opening day party was also used to kick off the yacht club’s 50th anniversary, with more shindigs planned for the rest of the year.
Jim Emmi, 92, has been a member of the club for more than 40 years, and remembers when the club was much different than it is today.
“It’s gotten bigger, and friendlier,” he said.
Bahia Corinthian, one of the bigger yacht clubs in the harbor, started out with financial troubles in the ’70s. (more…)

Latest Surf Industry Happenings

Jeff Malanca — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:08:21 +0000

Ocean & Earth, the 30-year-old surf accesories company started in Australia, has set up a new office and warehouse. O&E is the most recent company to move to the Surf Industry mecca in west side Costa Mesa.

The company, which has been making leashes, board bags, and other surf goods for many years, has also brought on industry veteran Matt Patterson, who will head up the marketing department.

Speaking of surf accessories, Komunity Project - owned by 8X World Champ Kelly Slater - has a new addition to its surf team. Kauai’s Roy Powers has just inked a deal with the company and is working on designing his signature series traction pads. John John Florence, the young Hawaiian prodigy and his two younger brothers Ivan and Nathan, have just picked up another sponsor. All three rippers are the latest athletes to join Vestal Watches world-class surf team. Allyance, the new apparel brand, has opened up a new store in the Big Apple. It’s located in New York’s downtown section of the city known as NOHO. If you’re heading back there anytime soon, it’s located on Bleeker street between Broadway and Bowery.

Surf Report 5-10-08

Jeff Malanca — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:25:50 +0000

Good Saturday morning surf addicts. Well she’s starting to come alive. Yep it definitely picked up, but the only bummer we’re dealing with a moderate southwind which is putting a light chop on it at many spots. We’ve got mostly south southwest swell with a touch of remnant northwest windswell.

That recipe is making for some crumbly and bumpy lines with a few fun corners to snag. Most OC beaches are running about waist to chest high with the top south facing breaks pulling shoulder high waves, with a few plus sets.

At 8:45 a.m the tide drained out to a negative 0.6 low which will have many spots desperate for water mid morning. The tide then pushes back up to a 3.7 high at 4:05 this afternoon. If you’re gonna get wet, the 3/2 full will do you right with the water temp hanging between 59 and 62 degrees.

For additional surf info. check out surfline.com.

Good luck out there!!

Up and coming Aaron to paint at Harbour Surfboards

Shawn Price — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:34:39 +0000

Teen pro longboarder, entrepreneur and artist Joe Aaron will be at harbour Surfboards in Seal Beach today.

The rising young surfer will be hanging out to paint right in the shop and display some of his other art.

Aaron will be at Harbour Surfboards from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. If you’re on Main Street in Seal Beach or thinking about checking some classic longboard designs, stop in and see a prodigy work.

Gudauskas brothers get management

Shawn Price — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:13:00 +0000

San Clemente’s Gudauskas brothers are moving up. Things were already going well, but now they’re get represented.

Surfer’s Village reports that Patrick, Dane and Tanner will now be managed by Newport Beach agency, McClellan Nichols Sports Syndicate LLC.

Patrick Gudauskas returned to the top spot on the WQS last weekend when he reached the final of the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro at Lower Trestles.

Click here for the full story.

Surf Report 5-9-08

Jeff Malanca — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:46:28 +0000

Waking up with the waves on Friday. It’s looking pretty playful out there. So if you’re getting an extra long weekend go get wet. It’s mostly clean and glassy with some spots seeing a little texture due to the very minor southwind. We’ve got a mix of mostly lingering northwest windswell and a touch of southwest energy.

That recipe is making for some fun workable right and lefts. Most OC beaches are running about knee to waist high with the top spots pulling stomach high waves with a few chest high sets.

At 7:38 a.m the tide drains out to a negative one foot low which will have many spots lacking water early on. The tide then pushes back up to a 3.5 high at 2:46 this afternoon. If you’re planning on paddling, break out the 3/2 full with the water temp hanging between 59 and 62 degrees.

For more surf info. check out surfline.com.

Have fun out there!!

Billabong Pro Tahiti off to a slow start

Jeff Malanca — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:05:59 +0000

The most treacherous wave on the planet was quiet for the first day of the Billabong Pro Tahiti official waiting period. The world’s best 45 surfers along with a few wildcards are all anxiously awaiting for Teahupoo to come alive. Conditions are forecasted to be fairly small over the next few days which is good news for last years event winner. Damien Hobgood hurt his shoulder a few weeks ago while practicing at the knarly left hand reef break and is still trying to recover. But, with a potentially slow start due to the lack of swell, he might give it a go. The third stop of the ASP World Championship Tour has an 11 day waiting period with the competition to be completed by May 18th. To watch the live action, go to billabongpro.com.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out a tour of Crystal Cove

Laylan Connelly — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:30:48 +0000

If you’re looking to get out of the house this weekend - and let’s hope this weather warms up a bit - head to the coast to check out a guided tour of the historic district at Crystal Cove State Park.

The tour happens every second Saturday of the month, and kicks off at 10 a.m. For those of you not familiar with the area, there’s about 46 funky cottages on the sand dating back to the 30s, with 14 of them renovated for public overnight stay. There’s a ton of history - everywhere from Hollywood’s influence, to the laid-back mentality of the former residents. There will also be a plein air painter showing a demonstration.

To read more about the area, click here. If you’re up early enough, check out my KDOC segment coming on between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday morning (with Surf Junkie Jeff giving a head’s up on the weekend’s surf conditions). I went down to Crystal Cove this morning to do the segment, and got to chat with some of the lucky people staying there to give viewers a bit of a taste of what it’s like down there.

But if you want to see for yourself, show up at 10 a.m. Saturday, park at the Los Trancos (cost is $10 to park), and enjoy! And if you go to Beachcomber’s Cafe, check out the ahi tacos - BOMB!

Doheny State Beach as a homeless feeding shelter?

Laylan Connelly — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:13:18 +0000

A group showed up at Doheny State Beach a few months back, setting up a feeding area for the homeless.
The state basically said no way, can’t do that here… and now the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come in and filed a lawsuit saying the state violated the rights of the Welcome INN (Interfaith Needs Network).

Should the state allow the homeless to be fed at Doheny?

I chatted with State Parks spokesman Roy Stearns this morning, who said they need a special permit to hand out food, and Doheny isn’t really the right venue for passing out the goods.
“We’re very sympathetic of the homeless issue. They’re plight is not a good one,” he said. “On the other hand… our system was not set up and intended to be the answer for this social services problem. We don’t think it’s appropriate for State Parks usage.”