« Front Page | September 2005 »
August 2005 Issue
James Forte's Underwater World: A Photo Essay
By Chuck Graham, Photos by James Forte
If Alaska is known as "The Last Frontier," than where does that leave the world's oceans? Its dark depths are only now being intently explored, its creatures seem infinite and sunken, historical relics are being brought back to life.
Local diver and photographer, James Forte has mastered his craft from Fiji to South Africa, and Baja to the Channel Islands National Park, capturing its diversity in the challenging deep blue.
Blue Edge Magazine: What was your introduction to underwater photography?
James Forte: National Geographic Magazine introduced me to the world of underwater photography. Several photographers stick out from the early days: David Doubillet and Flip Nicklin of National Geographic. I also was an avid Jacques Cousteau fan early on. His books and movies pushed me towards becoming a scuba diver and underwater photographer.
BEM: Degrees, credentials?
JF: I'm a Marine Diving Technology Graduate from Santa Barbara City College.
BEM: What type of equipment are you using? Film or digital?
JF: I use primarily the Nikon SLR film cameras in housings and the Nikons V amphibious system. I have yet to take up digital photography. However, I will be soon with the introduction of the newer, high-end digital SLR cameras.
BEM: What's your favorite place to dive and photograph?
JF: I moved to Santa Barbara 15 years ago to pursue my career in diving and photography. I find the Channel Islands to be one of the best places in the world for diving in general. I've traveled a great deal to Baja California's Sea of Cortez,and find the large marine life action best there. Fiji is the most enjoyable warm water sightseeing destination in the world. I guess I have three favorites.
BEM: What are your favorite underwater subjects?
JF: I like everything from small to large, sea stars to sharks. Here in the Channel Islands, the sea lions are my favorite. In Baja, hammerheads and wahles are the goal and offer the most excitement.
BEM: Describe to our readers a couple of your most memorable experieces a diver/photographer?
JF: I once took a group of photographers to Australia in search of great white sharks. Great whites are pure power and elegance all wrapped up into one, and seeing the apex shark in action is always one of the most exciting dives anyone can make. However, at one point a shark hit the cage and got his nose stuck. Another diver and I both looked at each other in shock. It thrashed about to free itself while my dive partner and I prayed that it wouldn't break through the bars.
Sea lions are like puppy dogs underwater and often interact with divers. I've had them tug my fin off and swim around with the fin playing hide-and-seek. One dive early on, I had an incredible experience with a sea lion that fetched a rock. Two others and myself were cruising along at Anacapa Island when a sea lion began to follow us. The lead diver picked up a rock from the bottom to look at, but found nothing interesting about it and dropped it. The sea lion picked it up in its mouth and carried the rock a few yards and dropped it. The lead diver picked it up again and dropped it. The sea lion did the same again. This continued on for several minutes and provided us with entertainment and a great story.
The images in this photo essay are for sale and available in prints. To see more of Forte's work visit www.travelinman.com
Posted August 2005 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Strangers in a Strange Land
Surfing Story and Photos by L. Paul Mann
My fascination with Nicaragua began in the late 70s, when I visited my brother in Germany. He had an album from this strange English punk band called the Clash. The album, "Sandinista," became one of my all time favorite pieces of music and aroused my interest in this Central American country, home of the Sandinista revolution.
I have been intrigued with the idea of visiting Nicaragua since the 1980s, when I used to fly over the countryside on my way to surfing adventures in Costa Rica. The vast steaming volcanic terrain, with some of Nicaragua's 28 volcanoes still active, fascinated me. In fact it is one of the only places in the world that you can hike to the edge of an active volcano without restrictions. My fascination with the country grew in the 1990s, when young surfing entrepreneurs began opening surfing camps on the Pacific Coast and stories of perfect empty waves began to emerge from the area.
I finally got a chance to visit Nicaragua this spring. A couple of my friends were anxious to find a warm spring surfing Adventure, away from the incessantly cold and rainy year in California. I remembered Nicaragua, did a little research and we were on the way. This was a hastily arranged one-week fact-finding surfing trip, with my longboarding friend Ariana and my South African friend Doctor David, who rides a surf ski and boogie board. I had my short board and gun, so we covered most all the bases except for tow-ins. We were delighted to discover awesome surfing conditions, with all kinds of wave types and skill levels. But more importantly for me, I discovered the Nicaraguan people to be some of the friendliest and most helpful that I had met anywhere in the world.
The trip to Nicaragua is a Third World adventure from the start. Checking into TACA airlines in Los Angeles can take hours. The long flight to Managua includes a stopover in El Salvador, where drug sniffing-dogs and police with automatic rifles roam the airport. It is a good chance to window shop and taste the cuisine of the country.
After a long night of flying, we weren't quite ready for Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. This is where more than two-thirds of the population of the entire country live. The airport, however, is not much larger than Santa Barbara regional airport in California. Negotiating for a vehicle was a tedious process. My research had recommended renting a Toyota four-wheel drive, but we settled instead for a bigger, more enclosed Korean four-wheel drive, which almost became a very costly mistake.
Driving through the capital and much of Nicaragua is also a Third World experience. The main transportation is provided by a fleet of old yellow school buses converted to public vehicles. The buses are crammed with goods and people, and some people crawl out of the emergency exits and on to the roof, while the bus is moving, to escape the oppressive heat inside. Motor vehicles share the road with all types of horse and donkey carts; motorcycles; bicycles and surreys. Further into the countryside, the roads also become clogged with ox carts, pedestrians, cattle, chickens, pigs and any other living thing that might want to wander about.
We focused our trip on the Pacific coastal region of Rivas, where most of the surf camps have sprung up. There is good reason for this. Gigantic Lake Nicaragua is in this region, with two towering volcanoes protruding from the middle. Regular ferry service connects people to the small towns on the volcanoes. The massive lake creates offshore lake-effect winds for the entire coastal region, about nine months out of the year. This also the only region of Nicaragua without endemic malaria, so medication is unnecessary. Spring is the end of the dry season, the downside being hot dusty conditions, with a brown and barren countryside. The rainy season brings a beautiful verdant countryside to life and cools the hot dry air, but the dirt roads and river beds can become impassable, and the mosquitoes begin to multiple.
Rivas is a small city located inland near the lakeshore. It is the economic hub of the area. Food markets wind through the town square towards a beautiful old Catholic church, which was built in 1607. This is a great place to stock up on supplies, with the only extensive inventory in the region.
Our first destination was the harbor town of San Juan Del Sur. Located about four hours from Managua airport and an hour from Rivas. This is the original base of operation for surf exploration in southern Nicaragua. It is a small, pleasant tourist town built around a beautiful natural bay. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and hostels to keep a steady stream of tourists happy. There is not much surf in the bay, but it is a popular place to rent a boat to explore the coastline.
You can drive to many of the surf spots in Nicaragua, but most of the coastline is restricted private property, and the rainy season can create impassable roads. For these reasons, a boat can be the best transportation.
We arrived at the Hotel Colonial in late afternoon. I picked the spot, because the manager, Chelo, is a knowledgeable surfing tour guide. Without hesitation, he hopped in the car with us and guided us to the closest good surf spot, Maderas. It is about a 30-minute drive on a long, dusty dirt road. Maderas, which means wood in Spanish, is named after a large phallic rock rising from the ocean. This is the most popular beach in the area. Depending on the tide, it is not uncommon to see 30-40 surfers in the lineup, mostly shredding, young, happy-go-lucky local Nicaraguans, with a mix of European and American tourists. We arrived just before a spectacular sunset, to a three-four-foot offshore swell, with a handful of people in the water. The wave is a right- and left-hand beach break, with a rocky left hand-barrel in the southern corner. Both waves are fun and rippable, depending on the tide. A very basic dormitory hotel sits right on the beach in front of the break, for the budget surfers wanting to stay in the prime action scene. A walk 30 minutes to the north provides another good beach break under the phallic rock. We surfed though a blood-red sunset, the hot, dry offshore winds blowing the faces back on us like warm bath water. We returned to San Juan Del Sur in time to consume mass quantities of fresh seafood, in one of the harbor restaurants, and watched the mostly European tourists dance in the local disco until late in the night.
The next day, we headed south on the main dirt road to explore the coastline, passing the colorful graveyard with a cow grazing in the middle. The bow from a great rusted freighter sat in an open field.
Our first stop was playing Remanso (romantic beach), a beautiful bay with a left reef and right-hand beach break. An inconsistent three-foot offshore swell went unridden.
Next, we ventured to Playa Yankee, which is becoming one of many resort communities in the middle off nowhere in coastal Nicaragua. There is a gate to the beach road, but if you are friendly, the caretaker family will usually open it for you. We were greeted with another spectacular bay, empty waves breaking both to the left and the right.
Our final destination was Ostional sea turtle reserve. We snuck in through yet another construction community. The south swell was small here, as it picks up a swell more from the southwest. A right-hand reef was peeling perfectly inconsistent, two to three feet. Like all the southern beaches we checked, there was no one in the water. Ostional reef also looked good for diving.
The following morning, we headed inland towards Rivas. After stocking up on supplies, we then took the coast road heading north to Rancho Santana. Rancho Santana is a sprawling resort development in the middle of nowhere. The original right-wing land barons claimed most of the coastal lands many years ago and turned them into private property. The popular success of the Sandinista revolution did little to change the property laws. In fact, many of the Sandinista leaders, themselves, seized land of their own and also became land barons. Today, the government is selling these lands to American and European tourists, who are becoming the new land barons. It is a quandary whether to support these private resorts, while most of the population lives in absolute poverty. But these resorts create thousands of jobs and an economy of tourism that would otherwise not exist in these regions. So if tourists would like to spend half a million dollars and up for a beach house in the poorest country in Central America, I will not be the one to dissuade them. Luckily, the rental prices are much more affordable than ownership prices. The government is also now taking steps to insure that the public has right-of-way on coastal property to the high tide mark, if you can find a public path to the beach.
Rancho Santa is about an hour from Rivas, at the end of a remote dirt road, not far from the fishing village of Playa Gigante. Although it is hours by car back to the southern port, it is less than an hour by Panga boat. The area is the center of the new surfing discoveries of southern Nicaragua. No less than six surf camps can be found within a 10-mile radius, some with their own private surf points.
The surf camps are pricey and you are limited to the itineraries they decide on each day. But for first time-visitors or those looking for a little more leisurely and less stressful adventure, they might be a good bet. Most of them offer pick-up service at the Managua airport. Not needing a car and avoiding the stress of driving can be worth the extra expense.
I was astonished at the extent of development as we pulled into Rancho Santa. Armed guards provide 24-hour security at the front gate. The sprawling properties include two horse stables, a tennis court and a clubhouse with a pool, restaurant, and tennis courts.
We rented the smallest casita, a two-bedroom about half a mile from the beach for $150 a night. The luxury of the units is mind-boggling, considering the isolation of the area, including direct TV, central air, and all the amenities of a luxury resort.
The property sits in the middle of a surfing Mecca. In front of the clubhouse is a beach break. Playa Santana is the most popular spot in the area for the locals and can have 25 or 30 surfers when conditions are perfect. A rock shelf covered by sand offers a short barreling left, with a longer left and right peak further up the sandy beach. Locals were shredding a perfect 3-5-foot swell the day we arrived, the younger ones hooting like monkeys when one of their friends fell off or got tubed. The dry howling offshore winds would increase during the day, and everyone would leave for mid-day siesta. You can almost guarantee surf to yourself during this time in Nicaragua. Around the corner, a bowling left-point breaks over a razor-sharp reef. Few people surf it and Dr. David found it a perfect wave for boogie boarding. It is quite surfable at the right tide.
Another road, accessible only thorough Rancho Santana, takes you to Playa Colorado. This rarely surfed stretch of beach has a right-hand reef break that can handle a big swell and left-and right-beach break named Iguanas. A long walk from Playa Gigante to the south or a boat ride is the only way the locals can get there.
Playa Gigante is a small fishing village just to the south of Rancho Santana. It is a great place to rent a panga. We brought along Eddie, a friendly local from Playa Santana, and he arranged for a friend to rent us a boat there for about $50 dollars for the day. The pangas are long, sleek boats designed for fishing and beach launches through pounding surf. Just getting in and out of the shore break is an adventure.
You can rent a boat and head north to the Santana spots along Playa Colorado or head south to Playa Manzanillo. The latter was our choice this day, a long peeling left in front of a rock cliff. Double overhead sets jacked and peeled in the offshore wind as we arrived. We shared the spot with three other boatloads of surfers on and off, with a crowd of four to 10 surfers. I needed my 7'6" mini-gun to negotiate the outside sets with the fierce howling offshore winds. Later, I tried to take water shots from the majestic sweeping point. I took a set on the head so hard it broke the seal on my water housing and I barely made it back to the boat before completely flooding my camera. David trolled for Dorado on the boat ride home. I wasn't prepared for the intense sun on the Panga and actually sunburned the top of my head for the first time in recent memory. I was glad to get back to the beach.
We had a delicious meal at the only other real restaurant in the area. Only open three weeks, it is run by an American and his Nicaraguan wife. She is a certified gourmet cook. The food was fantastic and there is no other restaurant of its quality within 50 miles. There are a few fish stands and beer bars in town as well.
The next day, we drove North to the fishing town of Astillero river mouth. We tried to drive up and check the right-hand point off the river mouth. The locals in town showed us where to get onto the beach; they were hanging out at the bus stop waiting for the end of their siesta. Fully decked with the latest baggies, rash guards, sunglasses and surfboards they were a funny sight in the dusty main street. They had no wax, though, and no way of getting any within 50 miles. So bring lots of wax when you come to visit and you can make lots of friends. We barreled down the beach to the edge of the rock point.
As we turned around, we found the limits of our big Korean four- wheel-drive. We got stuck on the edge of the reef where it meets the sand, and the incoming tide was threatening to take our car straight out to sea. Seemingly from nowhere, local people began running and biking to our aid, and they eventually pushed our car free, saving us from sure disaster. The right-hand point here opens on to a sandy beach and when the river mouth is not flowing in the dry season, it is a sandy barreling bottom.
In the middle of Astillerlo is a big outside reef that looks perfect for tow-in surfing. It is a long paddle and exposed to extreme offshore winds for a regular surf session, but the possibility exists.
We stayed in the little village after sunset for dinner. The restaurant there might make u a fish dinner if the lady was in the mood. They deep fry the fresh local snapper and serve them with rice and fried plantains. There is also a little wooden store with a few dozen items and a couple of wooden shacks serving local beer and rum.
As we drove out of town the locals were hanging out in front of the Saturday night disco.
A dirt palapa was transformed into a dance floor. The music alternated between a disco track where the teens would dance, and a haphazard band, led by a cymbal, playing traditional music. Ariana passed out little Day-Glo trinkets she had brought with her and was mobbed by the local kids, who then ran gleefully though the night.
The next day, we went exploring for our own spot. We began asking locals if we could access private beach property and passed out local money like confetti. We were finally rewarded on our fourth try when we found our own secluded bay.
A left-hand reef peeled off a rocky corner and an outside reef in the middle of the bay provide a soft easy 6-8-foot rolling left-and-right wave. It was a perfect relaxing setting with warm water and the ever-present howling offshore winds. We surfed into the blood-red sunset and later went for another delicious snapper dinner.
We had a quick surf the final morning and started back on the long four-hour drive to the airport. We snaked though the traffic and were almost at our destination, when the traffic slowed to a crawl. Less than a mile from the airport, a truck driver explained in Spanish that students had blocked the main road to protest rising public transport prices and had burned a bus.
Local traffic began fleeing the scene. My crazy doctor buddy decide the only way we would make our flight was to run the barricade. We went up on the sidewalk around the barricade
Shouting students looked perplexed at our surfboard-covered tourist car. Police reluctantly waved us on and we swerved pass the protest. Even rampaging students were relatively polite to us, shouting slogans, then smiling and waving. We arrived at a nearly empty airport terminal and headed away from our first trip to Nicaragua. I can't wait for another chance to go back.
Getting There: TACA has the best fares if you don't mind slow service at the counter and a stopover in El Salvador. TACA.com
American Airlines has service through Miami to Managua. AA.com
Where To Stay: San Juan Del Sur: Hotel Colonial. Rates from $44.00/night, includes breakfast. http://www.hotel-nicaragua.com. Rancho Santana: http://www.nicaraguaoceanhouse.com Playa Gigante: "Giants Foot Tours, based out of Gigante Beach, is run by a few Enthusiastic and capable young folks and located closer to the best waves than anyone in Southern Nicaragua. Their motto is "send them home happy" and judging by the smiles on their faces they're probably pretty good at doing just that. They send their clients to eat at a local restaurant called "The Griffe's," a small restaurant run by, and from, the house of Mr. and Mrs. Griffe. She is a native Nicaraguan who lived in the USA before returning to work for and eventually manage the Holiday Inn in Managua. He is a retired aerospace worker who is living his retirement dream. Together, they run one of the best restaurants - and certainly one of the best-kept secrets - in all of Nicaragua." - Jack Uccciferri Giantsfoot.com
Posted August 2005 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Hidden Beneath the Waves
Words and Photographs by Jack Drake
As I sank into the depths off the waters of Santa Cruz Island, I gazed upward as five of my students drifted downward. Their eyes were wide as they looked around at this underwater playground of kelp forests, graceful rays, colorful sea stars and delicate anemones. One of the ladies gave an exuberant squeal as a curious harbor seal glided by and peered into her facemask.
"Welcome to my world," I thought as I introduced my latest students to the beauty, fascination and adventure that lies waiting hidden in the depths off the coast of Central California.
I am frequently asked, "What are my favorite dive spots?"
The ocean is vibrant . . . the constantly changing currents, water temperature and passing overhead waves give the submerged reefs a pulse that makes each descent different and full of anticipation. I visit the following locations frequently, and have rarely been disappointed.
Refugio State Beach, located 15 miles north of Santa Barbara on Highway 101, is the spot I always take my students for their first beach scuba dive. Meaning refuge in Spanish, the cove is generally protected from large waves. I can usually count on calm waters and visibility of at least 10 - 15 feet. Dive the east end of the park where a thick kelp bed can be found. The gradually sloping bottom provides for easy entries. Between the inner and outer kelp beds, is a large underwater ledge running parallel to the beach. Follow the ledge to the east and look closely in all the recesses of the ledge. Inside the crevasses hide fish, crabs and scary looking swell sharks. Take your time as you swim along to notice all the critters. The observant diver can spot colorful marine snails known as nudibranchs, tiny brittle stars as well as sunstars that can be up to two feet in diameter.
Naples Reef is one of those out of the way spots that relatively few divers have explored. Located 13 miles up the coast from Santa Barbara and one mile offshore, the only way to visit this pristine location is by boat or kayak. If the current is not running, the reef is marked by a kelp forest located off the old orchard onshore. Boat depth finders will indicate a consistent depth of 50 feet, and then jump abruptly to 20 feet once over the reef. If the kelp is not visible, the current is up and running, so exercise caution . . . it can reach speeds up to four to five knots.
The reef consists of a series of ledges that run parallel to shore. These formations provide great opportunities to explore a fascinating labyrinth of cracks, crevices, overhangs and walls.
Because Naples is located so far offshore, it is washed by frequent currents, which can provide exceptionally clear water . . . 40 feet is not uncommon. Keep your eyes scanning the open water around you and you will have a good chance of spotting the Pelagia jellyfish. If you are diving the deeper portions of the reef in 70 feet of water, you might be lucky enough to spot a gray whale swim overhead. On one occasion, I had returned to the boat to reload my cameras. As I was about to roll into the water, a large gray whale surfaced no more than 20 feet away. The creature gave an explosive exhalation through its blowhole and then descended back into the depths as powerful sweeps of his tail boiled the water around me. If only I had been in the water a moment earlier.
The reef known as Mesa Lane is located 200 yards east of Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara. This popular dive spot consists of a series of jagged reefs in approximately 20 - 30 feet of water. Some of the rocky projections rise six feet from the bottom. A variety of critters take shelter in the hidden recesses of these reefs.
Expect to find a lot of intriguing sea hares. These aquatic snails can get up to two feet long and display fascinating behavior. If a diver picks up a sea hare and gently prods its body, the creature will emit a profuse cloud of purple ink. It is also not uncommon to see a group of sea hares in a subsea orgy. Sea Hares are hermaphroditic which means that they can play the male role or female role in the act of reproduction and they can perform both at the same time. I have seen a group of up to eight sea hares piled on top of each other.
Diving the California Channel Islands will provide a lifetime of diving adventure. When diving the islands I prefer to use the small charter boat dive companies that provide a personalized visit to the fabulous reefs surrounding these islands. Captain Ron of Ocean Sports Private Charters has been diving the islands for thirty years and knows all the best places to explore, catch game, and find unique marine life for underwater photographers. Captain Ron's boat, the 42-foot long Miss Devin, takes out groups of six to eight divers and can anchor on smaller, pristine reefs that are inaccessible to the large charter boats carrying 40 plus divers. Captain Ron can be reached at (805) 736-3272
Scorpion Anchorage located on the front side of Santa Cruz Island's east end is full of delightful surprises. This location will provide protected diving waters in almost all weather conditions. Thousands of small brittle starts inhabit the sand bottom . . . their arms extended upward to catch tiny morsels of food as they drift by.
Little Scorpion is an excellent spot to find rays. I love watching the flight of the graceful bat rays as they undulate their "wings" upward and downward. Electric rays, also known as torpedo rays, are also frequently spotted. Look but don't touch. I was once "shocked" by an electric ray when I playfully held my air hose underneath its body as it swam by and I let off a stream of air bubbles to tickle its belly. The torpedo ray was not amused and sent a powerful jolt downward. It was a terrific shock, and I wasn't even touching the creature.
Look for the cave in the rocky promontory that separates Scorpion Anchorage from Little Scorpion. It is easy to find, and has two entrances. Divers can snorkel through the cavern or use scuba. You can't get lost. Be careful of the surge, however, that can move through the cave . . . it can be quite strong, so visit the cave on a calm day.
Divers can also explore the wreckage of the 136-foot long World War II minesweeper, the Peacock, that sank at Scorpion in the late 1970's. Although most of the structure has collapsed over the years, the remains are covered with sea stars, chestnut cowries, nudibranchs, anemones, tunicates, barnacles and bryozoans. It is a haven for underwater photographers equipped with a close-up lens.
I have logged more bottom time at Gull Rock on the backside of Santa Cruz Island than any spot at the Channel Islands. This small islet lies one mile offshore and always seems to have a mild current running that maintains consistently clear water. The rocky shoreline is inhabited by a large colony of sea lions that love nothing better than to come out and greet visiting divers. I have frequently been engulfed in a swarm of sea lions that seem to be performing an erratic, fast paced ballet to some unknown score of music. There have been times when these overly friendly pinipeds have interfered with my underwater photography and I have had to move to a new location.
The rugged reefs of Gull Rock are home for numerous Garibaldi. These bright orange fish become quite bold during mating season. I remember one of my dives at Gull Rock in which I came too close to the "nest" where a Garibaldi had laid its eggs. The furious Garibaldi swam frantically around me as it created loud popping sounds with its mouth. When that did not drive me away, the fish became more desperate and literally began ramming into my chest in an attempt to get me to leave.
One of the most spectacular dives at the California Channel Islands is Wycoff Ledge on the south side of San Miguel Island. The top of the ledge runs in an east - west direction in approximately 30 feet of water. The thrill comes when a diver reaches the edge of the reef and peers down the vertical face of the reef as it disappears into the blue abyss. A final kick of the fins sends the diver gliding down a rock face to the bottom at a depth of 120 feet. The wall is adorned with colorful sponges, delicate gorgonian corals, and petite orange cup corals. Bring along a flashlight so that you can look deep into the labyrinth of large cracks and fissures and spot the large fish and other critters hiding far back in the recesses. The beam of your light might even spot a shy octopus.
San Miguel is the most westward of the California Channel Islands and is subjected to potentially strong northwest winds and swells. Wycoff Ledge, however is well protected and frequently provides visibility reaching 60 to 80 feet. Photographers will enjoy the diverse marine life. Adventurers will revel in the falling / flying sensation as they glide up and down the vertical walls of this underwater monolith.
I returned my attention to the five students kneeling on the sand bottom. I could see they were anxious to go exploring. But first I needed to run them through a final check-out of their scuba skills.
A short time later, all I could see were their kicking fins as they disappeared into the kelp forest. Welcome to my world.
Posted August 2005 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
August Calendar
Thursday, August 4
The Bruce Movie Premiere
The Bruce Movie, starring Bruce Irons, will premiere at the Riviera Theatre in Santa Barbara tonight. The film takes an in-depth look at Bruce Irons’ life. Some have described him as a “freak,” “unpredictable spontaneous,” and “the deadliest guy on tour.” The film is directed by Ryan Thomas and is shot in Hawaii, Indonesia, Australia, Tahiti, California, France, and South Africa.
X Games
The 11th annual X Games is today through Sunday, August 7. The X Games is the definitive annual action sports competition featuring more than 150 of the world’s best athletes in BMX Freestyle, skateboarding, surfing, wakeboarding and more. X Games 11 will have a finals only format conisisting of the 10 best action sports athletes per sport discipline.
Saturday, August 6
Adventure Sports TV Episode
Jeep World of Adventure Sports will feature adventure racing, surfing, windsurfing and freestyle motocross on its next episode on Saturday, August 6 at 2 p.m. The episode will feature an international adventure relay where teams swim, bike, speed hang glide and sand run, surfing in the exotic Caroline Islands, a windsurfing competition, and more. All show times are subject to change, check local listings at www.WorldofAdventureSports.com.
Sunday, August 7
Intra-Club Contest
The Ventura Surf Club will be meeting at the County Line for an intra-club contest. More information at www.venturasurfclub.com.
Wednesday, August 10
AMPFEST
AMPFEST, a film and music festival dedicated to the extreme sports culture, will take place from Aug. 10-14 in venues around Santa Monica, Venice, and the South Bay. There will be an emphasis on boarding sports, including surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, showcasing the talent of filmmakers, musicians, artists and athletes. For locations and more information, go to www.ampfest.org.
Friday, August 12- Sept. 5
“Pure Surf” Exhibit
The California State Fair is having the largest known collaborative surfing exhibit in the nation. With support from more than a dozen museums and private collectors from all over California and Hawaii, the “Pure Surf” exhibit will feature the world of surfing and illustrate it’s California’s culture and history. Exhibit highlights include the one and only Intel Surfboard, a “Surfing Bill of Rights” explaining proper surf etiquette, a surfer’s slang decoder, original surf movie posters, records, magazines and clothing and more. The Pure Surf exhibit will be open everyday during the State Fair, located in Sacramento. For more information, log onto www.bigfun.org/2005.
Saturday, August 20
Ventura Surfing Club Contest
The Oceanside Longboard Ventura Surf Club Contest will take place at the Oceanside Pier until Tuesday, August 23. This will be simultaneous with the Guy Takayama Noseriding Contest. Log onto www.venturasurfclub.com for more information.
Saturday, August 27
Adventure Sports TV Episode
Jeep World of Adventure Sports will re-run its adventure sports episode today at 4 p.m. Check www.WorldofAdventure.com for updates.
Posted August 2005 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
August 2005 Issue
To Snake or not to Snake
By Craig Comen
So you want to catch more waves and feed your cravings? Are you prepared to be a snake, drop in and hassle for the opportunity, or are you going to go about it respectfully, and position yourself creatively?
Like driving, waiting in line, and appearing in any public arena, surfing has it’s rules, etiquette, and norms to follow and obey. Maybe starting with a question to you is a good measure. Will catching more and better waves then the next guy bring me more happiness? Safe to say most of us will say yes, but we can go about it a little differently then the one who is hassling, paddling around, and dropping in. We have all done it, whether by accident or blatantly, and we know what it is like to have it done to us. Not cool. Most of all it is dangerous and unnecessary. Have you ever been hit by a board or your own? It hurts a bit and can cause even major injury. Most of us are just not good enough to ride a wave with another person on it, and in today’s world of lawsuits and medical bills it is probably a good idea to be safe and calculated to some degree. Try to make it a golden rule not to drop in on anyone. This means also to give them the benefit of the doubt when racing a section, or attempting a maneuver. Snaking can be defined many ways, and not just by dropping in. Paddling around, taking off behind in the whitewater, and pushing the wave down can also be interferences in any rulebook, competition or not. Wait your turn, position yourself accordingly, and be wise with how you space yourself in the line-up. With this vision you will never need to be fading anyone into the pit. You can hold your head high and feel good that you are upholding an age-old tradition of etiquette and grace.
Posted August 2005 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
