Nike 6.0 showed a group of at-risk students a whole different world, giving them a six-part series of surf sessions fused with creative workshops at the Motel NoTell in San Clemente.

The crew at Stoked Mentoring combines action sports with the power of mentoring and a supportive community during a three week long program. The 6.0 Days of Stoked’ness concluded Aug. 29, with a graduation BBQ for twenty inner-city Los Angeles high school students, age 14-18.

Read more from the release, and see a photo slideshow here.

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Here’s a bit from his report: San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino captured national titles in two divisions this weekend as Surfing America bid farewell to Huntington Beach as the site for the annual Surfing America USA Championships.

Andino, 15, outdueled Conner Coffin from the Santa Barbara area and two other finalists to win the Boys Under 16 division, then took down Florida’s Evan Thompson and two other finalists to win the Boys Under 18 division.

Kaleigh Gilchrist of Newport Beach won the Girls Under 18 division, while Jacob Davis of Capistrano Beach took the Boys Under 12 division.

In all, Orange County surfers were awarded four of the eight national titles this weekend as Surfing America concluded a three-year run holding the USA Championships at Huntington Beach Pier. Next year, Surfing America will name its national champions at Lower Trestles, south of San Clemente.

Read more from the story here.

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So if you are one of those who never remembers to put on sunblock before you paddle out, then check this out.

Nike 6.0 and the Motel Notell in San Clemente are holding a free skin cancer screening this weekend.

If you’ve never been checked out by a dermatologist and you’re in the sun and surf regularly come on by.

There will also be FREE food, drinks and a ton of FREE swag.  You can sign up early on Nike 6.0’s guest book if you know you’re going to attend.

When: Saturday, August 29, 2009

Where: Motel Notell, San Clemente. (949) 492-1174

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Kelly Slater

Could rumors be true that the nine-time world champ - originally from Florida - bought a new home in San Clemente?

Off the sand, Slater was out at VA Sport Center to get some training in, according to themmanews.com.  According to the blog, Slater is a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and helped newly re-signed UFC fighter Vitor Belfort train for his upcoming bout with Rich Franklin for their Sept. 19 match.

Read more about Slater’s involvement with MMA here.

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Here’s more from Team MKM about the Hurley Pro event, the only World Tour event held on the Mainland U.S.:

The $340,000 Hurley Pro, September 13 to 19, 2009 at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, is Hurley’s first as the sole sponsor of an ASP World Tour event.  Lined with cobblestones, Trestles is California’s premier point/reef break and a world-class showcase for high performance surfing.  The four-day competition, held during a week-long window, features the ASP’s top 45 surfers (Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, C.J. Hobgood, etc.) and three wildcards (Brett Simpson, Rob Machado and World Junior Champion Kai Barger).

“Every event has its own trademark, and Trestles is the place for high performance surfing in California,” Hurley’s Pat O’Connell said.  “Each year, the world’s best surfers come with a free surf mentality and the desire to make their mark on one of the most rippable waves in the world.  Hurley believes in true performance, innovation and free expression, so to have a World Tour event bearing our name on the world’s best surfing canvas is a perfect connection.”

The Hurley Pro marks the only North America appearance of the ASP’s elite Grand Prix circuit and has been won by Slater three of the past four years (’08, ’07 and ’05).  Although Parkinson (Australia) has opened a sizeable lead over Floridian Hobgood and Brazilian Adriana de Souza in the 2009 World Title chase, nine-time world and defending event champ Slater (Florida) remains within striking distance, and Trestles may well be his launching pad to a once unfathomable 10th title.

After defeating former world champion Mick Fanning to win the six-star-rated Hurley U.S. Open, the 24 year-old Simpson moved to 5th place on the World Qualifying Series (WQS), well within striking distance of qualifying for the 2010 ASP World Tour.  His performance this September against the world’s elite surfers at North America’s premier “high performance” wave may offer a glimpse at America’s pro surfing future.

“Winning the Hurley Pro Trials at Huntington was huge for me,” says Simpson.  “I always look forward to competing at Lowers, and I’m excited to make an impact.  There’s nothing I enjoy better than competing against the best surfers in the world.”

Read more on surfing:

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The movie, sponsored by Roxy, will be shown at dusk on Friday. There will also be drawings and artwork on display. General admission is $10, with VIP tickets $35 (includes private meet and greet with stars, two drinks, preferred seating).

When: Dusk, Friday August 21.
Where: Surfing Heritage Museum, San Clemente

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Seal Beach Lifeguards on Saturday were reporting 65 degrees in the water, while in Huntington Beach it’s also 65.  Newport Beach lifeguards called the water temp 67 today and down south in San Clemente it’s a comfy 70 degrees.

If you’re planning on paddling later today or tomorrow, the most you’ll need is a thin short sleeve fullsuit for that a.m. surf and no more than a spring suit for the afternoon session.

And keep your fingers crossed that it continues to warm up and hopefully we’ll see the toasty low to mid 70 degree temps we saw a couple of weeks ago.  However, I would keep that fullsuit handy just in case it drops drastically again.

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In less than a month the sixth stop of the ASP World Championship Tour will be making a stop at the famous point break.

The Hurley Pro formerly known as the Boost Mobile Pro contest will bring out the best 45 surfers from around the globe along with a couple of wildcards.

Currently sitting in the lead in the WCT ratings is Aussie Joel Parkinson followed by Florida’s CJ Hobgood who’s in second place.

It looks like 9-time World Champion Kelly Slater will be in attendance at Lowers this year.  Slater was off to a bad start at the beginning of 2009 with three 17ths, a win and a ninth place finish.  He’s now moved up into 8th place in the ratings and is looking for a tenth world title.

The Hurley Pro official waiting period begins on Sunday September 13 and runs through Wednesday September 19. Watch the live webcast here.

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Well that warm stuff is gone for now.  So break out a thin fullsuit if you’re grabbing a session in Huntington Beach or Newport Beach.  HB lifeguards are calling the water temperature 58 degrees while a few miles down the road in Newport Beach it’s 59.

If you can’t imagine throwing on a fullsuit in August then head down south to San Clemente where a pair of surf trunks will do the job.  Lifeguards there reported 70 degrees in the water today.

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The film follows five artists who all happen to be surfers. The film documents their work and looks at different aspects of their lives, and how those experiences have impacted their work. The film also looks at why the surf culture embraces and supports the arts. Here’s a look at the trailer:

The artists include: Andy Davis, Tyler Warren, Julie Goldstein, Alex Knost (of Newport Beach), Wolfgang Bloch.

Here’s more info from the release:

On hand will be Chris Cutri the director and artists confirmed at this time are Tyler Warren and Julie Goldstein. Warren “Pickle,” is a young Orange County surfer and is now becoming a well-known artist, whose work has been exhibited from Japan to Brazil. His work is stylized with deep richness and lighthearted charm with many within the surf community becoming collectors and fans.

Seats are $3. The afternoon will offer an awesome glimpse into the lives of surf artists and how the ocean and surfing inspire their work. Snacks, candy, and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are available at the door at the Surfing Heritage Foundation.

Where: 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente

When: Friday, 3 p.m.

Contact: linda@surfingheritage.org

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