News:
June 2007 Issue
KELLY SLATER TO DEVELOP NEW SURF TECHNOLOGY WITH CHANNEL ISLANDS
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (April 30, 2007)—Furthering a relationship that goes back twenty years and eight world titles, Kelly Slater and Channel Island’s Al Merrick today announced that Slater will work with the company to develop new surfboard technology that will benefit the progression of the sport.
Slater says, “I am still excited about every board Al and I work on, even after 20 years. With Jake and crew coming into the company and with the depth of resources they can bring to the table I feel that we can create something totally unique in the industry.”
Kelly currently has several signature boards with Channel Islands. Combining efforts is the next logical step for both as they work to progress the sport. Channel Islands was purchased by Burton Snowboards founder Jake Burton Carpenter in 2006, which has allowed Merrick the opportunity to concentrate on the craft and develop new and better surfboards. Having Kelly provide feedback on the development of new technologies is also in line with Burton’s own “rider-driven process” of incorporating athlete feedback into each one of its products.
“Kelly and I have a great longstanding personal and business relationship,” says Merrick. “I am excited now that we have the resources and technologies to develop new and better boards. I know that Kelly is going to play a massive part in this and his involvement will help lead surfboard design into the future.”
“It’s our goal to work with Al to see that surf technology can progress faster than ever. We have all known that Kelly is an integral part of this process, and not merely because of his standing in the sport, but because of his unique understanding of what makes a surfboard work, his determination to make it better, and his commitment to finding ways to accomplish this in a more environmentally friendly way,” says Jake Burton. “I look forward to being around and benefiting from Kelly’s involvement and leadership.”
About Channel Islands Surfboards
Founded by Al Merrick in 1969 and based in Santa Barbara, California, Channel Islands Surfboards shapes boards for many of the world’s best surfers. For more information, visit: www.cisurfboards.com.
Media contact: Shana Frahm (802) 373-2374 or Travis Lee (805) 566-0963.
Domoic Acid on the Rise
By Ben Preston
If you were concerned about the frequent occurrence of dead and dying birds and marine mammals upon local beaches last year, prepare for a worse situation this year. An even larger algal bloom—the worst in history in the Los Angeles harbor—will cause a higher-than-normal level of domoic acid (DA) to which these creatures are exposed.
DA is a toxin found in blooms of phytoplankton algae, which is fed upon by shellfish and small bait fishes, such as anchovies and sardines. When birds and marine mammals feed upon these organisms, the DA—which is concentrated in the tissues of the shellfish and small fishes—acts as a neurotoxin, causing seizures, brain damage, and eventually death in severe cases.
So far this year, record numbers of dead seabirds and marine mammals have been found washed up on beaches—including a 29-foot sperm whale near the University of California at Santa Barbara—from Santa Barbara to San Diego. The California Department of Health Services (CDHS), which normally issues an annual quarantine on sport-harvested shellfish from May 1st until October 31st, issued its quarantine early this year, in accordance with record levels of toxins found in shellfish in the waters off Santa Barbara. The routine testing conducted on April 24th showed the average toxin level to be about 450 parts per million—far above the 20 parts per million requiring a warning to be issued.
CDHS biologist Greg Langlois stated, “This toxic bloom has reached shore at various locations from Monterrey Bay to Ventura—and produced very high toxin levels. It is our hope that oceanic conditions will shift and push it further out to sea, or that it will run out of steam…before reaching shore farther south.”
Although no human illnesses have been reported, high levels of domoic acid can affect human physiology, causing the same symptoms as those exhibited by seabirds and marine mammals. Because of this, the quarantine on sport-harvested shellfish spans the entire California Coast, including its bays and estuaries. San Luis Obispo issued a warning against consumption of the dark-colored organs and viscera—commonly referred to as crab butter—of anchovies, sardines and crustaceans.
To report sick seabirds in the Santa Barbara area, call (805) 966-9005, and for sick marine mammals, call (805) 687-3255. For deceased animals call Joe Cordaro of the National Marine Fisheries Service at (562) 980-4017. In Ventura County, report sick or deceased animals to Animal Care Services, at (805) 388-4341.
For more information on quarantines and health advisories, visit the California Department of Fish and Game website: www.dfg.ca.gov. The CDHS Shellfish Information Hotline is (800) 553-4133.
LNG Update
By Ben Preston
Friday, Governor Schwartzenegger sent a letter to the US Maritime Administration disapproving Australian firm BHP Billington’s application to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal off the coast of Ventura County.
Although Schwartzenegger supports LNG as an important part of California’s future in energy diversification, he also maintains that state environmental quality and clean air standards must be met or exceeded before any project will be approved. BHP Billington’s plans fell short of the mark.
His letter states: “As we look to the future, and to the possibility of an LNG facility off the coast of California, it is important to understand that there are many diverse projects currently being proposed by different companies that are pursuing state approval.”
A lack of action by the Governor would have resulted in the application being deferred to the federal government, which has different application approval protocols and environmental standards than does the State of California.
A Green Wave for Surfing
Making boards used to be hard on workers and the environment. One small company is pioneering efforts to clean up the process
by Jeffrey Gangemi
Back in December, 2005, the price of a custom surfboard shot up by $200 in surf shops across the country almost overnight. The reason? Surfboard shapers had panicked, reacting to news that Clark Foam, the $140 million industry's only major supplier of foam surfboard blanks, or the raw material shapers used to fashion surfboards, was shutting its doors after 44 years in business. Founder Gordon Clark had pioneered the production of foam surfboard blanks, keeping prices so low that he all but eliminated his competition.
Few, if any, of the thousands of shapers—skilled craftsmen who cut, sand, paint, and cover blanks with fiberglass and resin to make a finished board—had seen Clark's demise coming. That meant there was no major supplier in position to step in to meet demand. But the shortage of foam blanks was only one of two major problems facing the industry. The other was image. Clark's closure drew attention to the very real environmentally hazardous manufacturing practices few associated with the surf industry. The reality clashed with surfing's idyllic, environmentally-friendly image.
Clark had closed because California's Orange County Fire Authority had repeatedly reported Clark Foam to other government agencies, including the EPA, which cited the company for its continued use of the toxic chemical toluene diisocyanate, which can cause severe and chronic lung problems.
CLEANER TECH
Clark finally shut down his Orange County (Calif.) facility of his own volition, rather than face the legal fallout, according to a memo circulated by Clark at the time he closed. The media attention on Clark's closure shed light on this and other environmental problems associated with the production of surfboards, such as the use of polyester-based resins, which are harmful to the worker and emit noxious fumes. Most of the industry, long silent on the fact that manufacturing a surfboard is a dirty process, was poised for change.
A handful of small companies had already been working, some for up to 20 years, on cleaner surfboard-making technologies that would cost the same as the dirtier ones. But they couldn't find a hole in Clark's monopoly to successfully introduce a product. Among the the contenders was Homeblown U.S., an independently-owned six-employee San Diego (Calif.) foam producer that had developed a foam production system that was similar to Clark's, but was safer for workers because it didn't emit volatile fumes.
Homeblown had started in Britain in the late '80s and held a 50% share of the market for blanks there. But Clark had such a dominant position in the market that it wasn't practical for Homeblown to open in the U.S. until the factory closed, says Ned McMahon, Homeblown's managing director.
REPLACING FIBERGLASS
Today, as Homeblown gains a toehold in the U.S. market—though it still produces only 75 to 100 foam blanks a day, compared to Clark's 1,000—it's ramping up its efforts to bring more sustainable surfboard products into the market. The company has introduced what it calls Biofoam, the industry's first plant-based polyurethane blank, made out of over 50% plant-based resins, which sells for the same price as a traditional blank— between $90 and $200, depending on size. Thirty-year veteran shaper Craig Hollingsworth is using Biofoam in all his boards and says it's just as good as traditional foam from a functional standpoint.
Channel Islands, one of the world's largest surfboard-shaping companies, is currently testing Biofoam and may add the product to its line. Another company, Patagonia plans to add Biofoam as well. And Homeblown is also working on adapting hemp cloth to replace the fiberglass used in boardmaking, and experimenting with biodegradable alternatives to the polyester resin that coats the boards.
Still, by all accounts, the push to make cleaner surfboards is just beginning. The industry at large is slow to change. McMahon says traditional foam production levels have actually increased since Clark's demise. He adds that offshoring makes it hard to compete, and says two of Homeblown's main competitors, including Bennett Foam, have moved their operations to Mexico to keep prices low and escape the same stringent environmental standards that may have prompted Clark to shut down.
"A NEW DAY"
A spokesperson for Bennett disagrees. She wrote in an e-mail to BusinessWeek.com, "Mexico has its own set of EPA standards which we follow and are compliant. We exercise the same standards that are required by the States."
There's no doubt that the end of the monopoly in surfboard blanks has paved the way for cleaner ways of making surfboards, with independent businesses taking the lead. "It's a new day today, and since Clark closed, we have had an opportunity to look at how we're doing things, and it would be irresponsible to duplicate what he did when we know better now," says McMahon.
Posted June 2007 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
May 2007 Issue
Environmental News
Surfrider Update
By Ben Preston
Santa Barbara Surfrider was privileged to host Yvon Chouinard at their April 5th general meeting. Speaking before a packed house at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public Library, Chouinard kept the audience captivated with background information on his unique business ethic—always striving to minimize environmental impact and look out for the best interests of his employees—and bits of advice on how we can improve our lives through more careful use of resources.
“Scandinavian countries are way ahead of us,” he informed the audience, “They are resolved to be oil-free by 2010.” He went on to explain that in terms of quality of life, the US ranks 14th in the world—not in keeping with our disproportionate consumption of natural resources. “We’ve got nothing on the Italians as far as quality of life goes.” he said.
Chouinard also talked about volunteering and local land use issues, both important tenets of Surfrider’s modus operandi. He gives each of his employees two months of paid vacation every year expressly for the purpose of volunteering for environmental programs. Many employees opt to travel to far away places to help out, but involvement in local environmental organizations is encouraged as well.
Chouinard also donated a number of signed copies of his book, Let My People Go Surfing, to the Santa Barbara Chapter. “We hope to work with Yvon and Patagonia to achieve mutual coastal preservation goals,” said Chapter Chair Scott Bull.
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By Ben Preston
The fate of Goleta Beach Park—arguably the county’s most frequently visited park facility—hangs in the balance as Santa Barbara County prepares to make a final review of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The DEIR addresses the two different ways being considered to deal with the park’s beach erosion problems.
One, favored by many Goleta Beach enthusiasts and the owner of the Beachside Café, employs a coastal armoring measure called a permeable pile groin. This concept consists of wooden piles arranged like those supporting the pier, but closer together. Erected perpendicular to the shoreline, the idea is that the closely-spaced piles would cause a reduction in the longshore current and allow sand to collect on the up-current side of the groin, while still letting sediment through to the down-current side. It involves an initial placement of 500,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach, and regular maintenance replenishments. Advocates of this method reason that the gaps in the groin will cause less down-current erosion than a traditional non-permeable groin.
The other method, preferred by many environmental groups, is called managed retreat. Managed retreat moves park facilities and utility lines away from the shoreline in order to allow for a wide coastal buffer zone. Proponents of this approach argue that the beach naturally fluctuates over time, and that allowing a coastal buffer zone is a better way to protect park facilities without compromising sediment deposition further down the coast. Many people favor this method, as it provides a more natural beach setting, and tends to require less replenishment than hard armoring.
Earlier, the hard structures for coastal armoring proposed to the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission involved the use of a rock wall running the length of Goleta Pier. Since this approach would have allowed no sand to get past it for down-coast sedimentation, community groups caused enough of a disturbance to get the armoring plan changed to the permeable pile groin setup.
Emergency rock revetments were placed at Goleta Beach in 2003 with a 30-month expiration date. Still there, the concern of many is that if the county doesn’t have enough funding to perpetuate sand place on the beach by a dredge, the rock wall will become exposed and cause more rapid erosion of the beach.
Currently, the final arrangements are being made for a long-term plan for Goleta Beach Park. Members of the public are encouraged to make public written and verbal comments to ensure that their views are held in contention during the creation of the final EIR. This is the time to find discrepancies in the DEIR, and find things which haven’t yet been addressed.
So whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool property rights activist or a Volkswagen-driving environmentalist, now is your time to be heard on this issue. For further information on the Goleta Beach DEIR, please visit the following addresses:
For the County’s official notice of availability:
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20pdfs/DEIR%20Notice%20of%20Availability.pdf
For the DEIR Executive Summary:
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20pdfs/Executive%20Summary%2021Mar.pdf
For the entire DEIR:
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20TOC.htm
Additional information can be found at:
www.sbparks.org
The public hearing, where testimony can be offered by members of the public, is on Tuesday, May 1st, at 6:00 p.m. in the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission hearing room at 123 E. Anapamu Street. Written comments are due by Monday, May 14th. Get out and make yourself heard. Stand up for what matters to you.
The Future of Surfing
By Ned McMahon
The kids are the future of surfing. But it is only with a full understanding of the materials and choices available now, can the kids usher in the future of surfboards. Surfing has always been lead by the young with new moves and board design to support the direction. Even the current retro trend is a new interpretation of old designs and they are being surfed with decades of new surfing ability.
Now surfing is at a crossroads. While Clark was making foam, and more importantly, controlling the market things were quite stable and change was slow. In some ways that was a good thing as techniques were perfected both in the water and the shaping room and there was steady progress in one direction.
Clark closed in December of ’05 and simply blew the lid off stability, direction, materials, environmental issues, Asian production, and more. Now is the time to review the materials and directions.
For nearly 50 years surfboards have been made with PU foam and polyester resin. The foam was made with a component called TDI and the “T” is Toluene which causes cancer and is part of the reason Clark closed the doors. Toluene is bad for the environment and bad for the worker. Polyester resins contain Styrene – another cancer causing chemical. Even with protective clothing and a respirator the shop worker is not protected because styrene can be absorbed directly through the skin.
Now many boards are made with PS (EPS and EXP) which is more commonly known as Styrofoam. PS uses Styrene and Benzene in the manufacturing process, both of which cause cancer. Both PS blanks and PU blanks are relatively safe for a shaper wearing a good respirator. The big difference with EPS is it must be glassed with epoxy resin. Workers can develop an allergic reaction to epoxy that will make them sick but it is only from direct contact with epoxy not absorbed through the skin. Epoxy is not as bad for the environment as polyester either.
The blanks made like Firewire or with parabolic stringers all use either PU or PS foam and these are just a different way of putting stringers in a board. They will affect the way the board rides but whether it feels good or not will be personal preference.
Some boards are made in molds like Aviso. This is carbon fiber – which is very strong and stiff with epoxy resin. This technology is used in many other things from boats to cars and can be made light and strong. Again the feel will be personal preference but remember when a board comes out of a mold it looks exactly like every other one out of the mold. I don’t know too many surfers riding the exact same board as their friends.
Many boards are made in Asia today. They are made in molds and made in the traditional way too. The molded boards again are all the same. It is sometimes hard to tell because the Asian factories are coloring the boards nicely and they are making boards for the famous surf brands here. The boards made in the traditional way also look pretty good since shaping machines have made it much easier to duplicate good designs. Many of the workers in these factories though don’t surf and some haven’t even seen the ocean. I think it would be strange to get a board made by someone who hasn’t been in the ocean. These boards are cheaper but then no wonder!
High tech molded boards or cheap boards from Asia are a couple of ways to go but since we all surf in the ocean and it is our duty as a surfer to preserve and protect it, I think there is a better way to go. I believe we need to think about what is best for our environment and we, as surfers, need to take an active role. I have surfed a few times with legendary surfer Skip Frye and every time before he surfs he takes a few minutes to pick up trash on the beach. It takes just a few minutes. Imagine what an impact we could have if we all just took a minute to pick up some trash on the beach before we paddle out – the beaches would be clean!
As for our surfboards, you can see how they are made with some pretty bad stuff but there is now an alternative. A company in San Diego is making surfboard blanks using MDI instead of TDI – it’s the only company doing this. This is a better choice because MDI doesn’t cause cancer. But this company is also combining MDI with the rest of the mix made from plant based materials called Biofoam. Biofoam blanks are sustainable – meaning that it is made from easily renewable sources. Some manufacturers claim other foams are recyclable and yes, that is true. All foam is actually recyclable while it is just foam. Once it is made into a surfboard with a stringer and cloth and resin, none of it is recyclable.
This company is also working on new cloths using hemp, bamboo, and tencel – all plants with very strong fibers and sustainable – instead of using fiberglass. A new plant based resin will soon be available that is 98% plant based and UV cured. This resin has no toxic fumes and is sustainable too. While these are new products and have recently just come on the market, with further development this is the future of surfboards in terms of a board that is safer for the workers, sustainable, and better for our ocean environment.
When I was a young surfer I only wanted a board that was made locally by a shop with local experience. Why would anyone want a board that was made halfway around the world by non-surfers. More importantly though is the environmental impact of shipping on our oceans. Shipping a container of surfboards (or blanks) across the ocean has a huge carbon footprint and is about as far from green as it gets. In addition, shipping is the #1 cause of ocean pollution.
So as we consider the future of surfing, new materials are available from new factories around the globe. There are good sustainable products available locally and I believe the best boards are available from the people surfing right in your area. As you – today’s groms – consider all this, just remember, YOU are the future of surfing!
Posted May 2007 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
April 2007 Issue
Blue Edge News/Wavelengths
Wavelengths
Words and Photo by Michael Kew
The Revolution Will Be Televised
What women’s pro surfing is today.
Cusp of twilight ushers the day’s biggest wave into a pastel Indonesian lineup. Positioned are three age-thirtysomething Basque men and Australia’s Chelsea Georgeson, 2005 female world champ. Quickly she out-paddles the men and snags the backless beast, air-dropping sideways into the front-lit pit — backside, no less — instantly vanishing from view for the entire wave, eventually gliding into the channel, greeted by hoots and laughter and arms held high from everyone in sight.
“I’ve never seen a girl get barreled like that!” yells a red-faced, grinning Aussie, watching from the bow of an anchored yacht.
Two waves later, Hawai’i’s Melanie Bartels thrusts herself into a feathering lip and boosts several feet above it, accented by a stylish double-grab.
The Aussie cocks his head toward his two friends: “F---, mate, how was that bloody air?” Doubly impressed, they clap and smile agreeably, shaking their heads, raising cold Bintangs in deference to what they had just witnessed: the state of the art in professional women’s surfing, live and direct, fast and fresh, all captured on film for you to see, because, yes, the revolution will be televised.
I must confess that, before alighting seaward last year with six of the world’s best young female surfers (Georgeson, 23; Bartels, 25; Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich, 23; Australia’s Rebecca Woods, 22; Brazil’s Silvana Lima, 22; and Kauai’s Alana Blanchard, 17), I was just as naïve as the next guy: Pro women’s surfing? You mean those dull contests we see in two-foot slop? Gidget? Cute, bikinied longboarders at Malibu? Brawling lesbians? Roxy-clad teens? The countless surf camps and silly Blue Crush wannabes?
Stereotypes can be horrific mistruths, especially when applied to today’s female pros, who have raised the bar in a big way. They charge Cloudbreak, lacerate Lance’s, get shacked at the Superbank and towed at Teahupo’o. Aerials are landed, fins are popping out, rails are set deeply and rigidly, poising the perfectly positioned arc of spray.
We’ve all heard the sexist expression, “She surfs well, for a girl.” Some would argue that it holds true. Others say it will never change. But applied today, it’s simple: these women surf extremely well. Period.
Better than most? Believe it. On the recent all-girl boat trip, Surfing magazine photographer Dustin Humphrey said he’d done several projects on the same boat with men who didn’t surf half as well.
“I’m baffled,” he said after bagging more than a week’s worth of benchmark women’s surf imagery.
From afar — on this anchored boat, say — an average viewer would perhaps not realize he or she was watching a woman surf, because, as popular opinion tells us, females surf nowhere near as well as men — never have, never will. Of course, this is untrue. Today it is hardly a matter of gender comparison, which has been usurped in recent times by the simplicity of natural progress, embraced by the surfers and the industry itself. Relative equality is only a matter of time.
Rochelle Ballard knows this to be true, too. A standout from the previous generation who competes against the aforementioned young stars, Ballard has witnessed and participated in the transition first-hand, since launching her WCT career in 1997, when the professional female surf world was a different place.
“My generation broke down a lot of barriers,” she said. “This new generation has amazing resources: insane boards, coaching, great endorsements and support. They’ve learned from our mistakes and were inspired by our success to take it to the next level even sooner than we did.”
Fifteen years ago, Ballard wanted to become world champion early, then attend college, get a job, and build a family. She never dreamt she where she would be today, owning a nice house on the North Shore, living well off of surfing into her mid-30s.
“The generation before mine didn’t really have that opportunity,” Ballard said. “But now, Sofia and Chelsea have both each their first home, their first world title, and a very healthy income at the age of 22. Stephanie Gilmore won her fist WCT event as a senior in high school, instantly becoming an icon in Australia. It will be amazing to see what girls like Carissa Moore and Coco Ho do in the next few years.”
Indeed it will. Today’s generation is a portal to the future, and with the proverbial snowball gaining girth with each new face, the fundamental shift of paradigm within professional women’s surfing can only perpetuate the brightness which abounds today.
To All Surfers
Mass produced bio surfboards – buy one now…There is no excuse!
On Sunday the 28th of January 2007 I went for a very special and historic surf. Porthtowan beach in Cornwall was about 3 foot and glassy. The air temp was a pleasant 8 degrees.(thats degrees C)
Sitting waiting for a set I looked down into clear blue water. Years ago this would have been off-brown and full of shit, panty liners and condoms. For 10 years I ran Surfers Against Sewage and the 5 million gallons of raw sewage that was discharged daily into this break has gone. It’s a good feeling.
The whole time we campaigned we had a dirty little secret of our own – the surfboard, petro-chemical plastic with as little thought to the environment as a shipwrecked oil tanker.
On the 28th of January I was on a very special board, one I could be proud to surf. A Homeblown 48% Biofoam blank laminated in fibreglass cloth and 98% plant resin laminate developed by Sustainable Composites. I had great waves, in fact the waves seemed to roll my way, I was always in the right slot. It felt great.
Not only is the board over 50% plant-based and therefore renewable. Importantly the foam is blown here in the UK and will be blown in California (We have been in production in CA since Feb. 1 and for us here in the US, Chuck Menzel of Wetsand was instumental in moving the project forward), South Africa, Hawaii and Australia. This is many times more environmentally sound than blowing foam in one country and then transporting large blocks of air half way round the world as was the case in the Clark Foam days and continues to be the case for many manufacturers.
For 3 years we have worked as a small team at the Eden Project with Homeblown and Sustainable Composites towards an eco surfboard. We have been clear that ultimately a sustainable board must be equal to or better than conventional boards both in terms of quality and performance. We have cracked it. The only question being voiced is that it isn’t pure white.(To date in CA, the color, a light creme color, hasn't been an issue after all natural coffee filters are not white either) Well hey if that’s your problem and you think the colour of your board affects your surfing then you’re on the wrong planet.
Both Biofoam blanks and plant based resin laminating systems are available. Demand them from your board manufacturer or surf shop and demand them in the water and on the beach. Environmentally we’re all in deep shit ad now as surfers we can do something positive about our impact.
I stated on CNN in September 2006 that: “In ten years time the phrase eco surfboards won’t be used because all surfboards will be eco boards.” I stand by that phrase and urge you all to get on board.
This board is the future and it is now.
Chris Hines
Founder and Director of Surfers Against Sewage – 1990-2000
Sustainability Director, Eden Project.
Joint winner of the Surfers Path Emerald Wave Award
http://www.edenproject.com/
www.cnn.com/specials/2007/skewed.view/hines
http://www.homeblown.co.uk/
http://www.sustainablecomposites.co.uk/
Free World or Sea World?
By Joey Racano
With that far-away feeling you get during a sudden emergency, I sat transfixed before the television. Kandu the Orca created a scarlet tornado, spiraling to her death at the bottom of a Sea World swimming pool. Baby Shamu -her baby- circled helplessly at the surface. Some images haunt you for the rest of your life.
"She did it to herself", was the official word from Sea World. How a magnificent creature like that captures and holds herself hostage in a swimming pool is certainly beyond me, but who am I to argue with Sea World? After all, Sea World is a registered trademark of Anhauser Busch, the people who bring you Budweiser beer. And they know Killer Whales. Well they should; in the 1970's, so many Orcas were captured for amusement parks it resulted in an entire generation being removed from the wild.
Despite rosy pictures painted by Sea World, up to 60% of Orcas don't survive their first month of captivity, survivors have to suddenly switch to eating dead fish, and the pods from which they are taken can spend months searching in confusion for their missing. Also, there are many instances of Orcas and Pilot Whales attempting suicide by repeatedly ramming the walls of their enclosures, some succeeding.
There is another image that will last me a lifetime. A yellowing newspaper photo on my wall shows several hundred kids lining a rocky cliff in Iceland watching the approach of a U.S. Air Force cargo plane. It carried Keiko, an Orca rescued from captivity, flown to Iceland, and eventually released. Keiko starred as the Orca in the 'Free Willy' movie and eventually died a free Whale, all paid for by pennies collected during a successful global effort by children.
Brad Andrews, then vice president of zoological operations for Sea World theme parks said predictably, "This is just another step in the fantasy. I hope it doesn't affect him adversely".
As a civilization newly awakened to our role in changing the planet, we must bring the practice of capturing, holding and tormenting these intelligent creatures to an end. Enforcing the Marine Mammal Protection Act at Casa Beach in San Diego would be a good place to start.
Joey Racano, Director
Ocean Outfall Group
StopTheWaiver.com and OOG (Oean Outfall Group) are part of a grass-roots diverse group of Citizens concerned about the rapid loss of wetlands, habitat, species and the unfettered march of developers. OOG gets results.
Reader's Letters
By L. Paul Mann
Okay, I am too old and out of shape to take on the role of enforcer, but I feigned the position while trying to get into a relaxing surf on a recent sunny weekend at Rincon. But I was thwarted in my attempt to repeat the pleasant surf I had the day before. Instead, I am embarrassed to admit that the veins stood up on my neck as I ranted and raved, until I felt myself nearing heart attack stage.
The first offender was a jet skier going back and forth across the beach break and top of Rincon point at the indicator, surfing and jumping waves. I screamed in vain at him as he came closer to the line-up, the onshore west winds blowing a steady stench of 2-stroke fuel across the entire beach. As far as I know, jet skies were banned from the Rincon over a dozen years ago.
If that weren’t bad enough my rage grew uncontrollable as a guy on a “GOON SPOON” paddled up the point and began riding waves at the indicator. The 'Goon Spoon' is the name I have coined for Laird Hamilton’s reintroduction of the ancient stand up paddleboard. Laird popularized this old contraption over the last few years, at Little Dume, near Malibu. Born out of his boredom from being stuck in an area with small waves, while he pursued a living in Hollywood, he experimented with this traditional precursor to surfing. The 'Goon Spoon' caught on like wildfire with the Hollywood set that never learned to surf and found it an easy way to sneak into the sport without any real skills. Soon there were as many as six or eight of these dinosaurs on the outer point of Little Dume on a sunny day. What had once been a consistently rippable wave had become ruined with these oversized dinosaurs crowding the line up.
So as I sat at the indicator with diesel fumes permeating the area, my blood was already boiling, as the guy on the GOON SPOON paddled towards me. As he approached I asked, “What are you thinking?--this is Rincon.” I explained that if he wanted to ride this dangerous device he should go up to the beach break or down to Mondos, away from regular board surfers. He indicated that I was the only one unnerved by his presence. A short time later I caught a wave and as I came up on the rivermouth, he lay struggling in the water with his paddle, his 14 foot long board laying across the line up. Having no where to go I ran straight in to him and proceeded to scream at him until red in the face for dinging my board.
Nobody wants to be the bad guy and the old enforcers have faded away in a New World of lawsuits and crowded chaotic conditions. But the old enforcers were not necessarily about being selfish or greedy. We all want the same thing when we are surfing--as many uninterrupted waves as we can get. What the Old School had in mind, was a set of rules based on respect. If someone screwed up, they were challenged for not showing respect.
I learned my lesson when I first went off to college in Hawaii. The first time I surfed Velzyland on a good day, I caught a great wave, and a young Hawaiian tried to drop in on me. I pushed the front of his board and he went over the falls as I tucked into a fat little barrel. When I paddled back out there was a crowd of locals waiting for me. They circled me as the young surfer came up and proceeded to slam his board into my face. I had two black eyes for a month, but I paddled back out the next day, at the same spot, and nobody ever bothered me again. I had learned my lesson of respect for the locals and I never gave them another reason to confront me.
Goon Spoons are just another sport and like tow surfing, is fine if it is done away from a crowd of regular surfers. But they are disrespectful and dangerous to anyone in a normal surf line up. It is impossible to control these Rhinoceros sized boards during a wipe out and they are literally life threatening to nearby surfers.
I think it is time for a new generation of locals to take on the role of water patrol enforcers and ensure our safety so we can all have more fun in the water.
Posted April 2007 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
February 2007 Issue
End of a Lifestyle: Historic Sale of Cojo Ranch
By Ben Preston
It’s a fact we cannot escape. Land developers find the Gaviota Coast very attractive. What’s not to like? This relatively untouched stretch of Pacific Coastline is one of the most beautiful pieces of real estate our state has to offer. The Camp Pendleton military reservation and the Gaviota Coast are the last undeveloped expanses of coastal land in Southern California. In fact, the Gaviota Coast comprises 50% of California’s remaining rural coastline. Added to its list of attributes is the fact that its near-shore waters are biologically rich and diverse, providing valuable commercial and recreational resources.
Let’s not forget that Gaviota serves us, the humble surfers, with such amazing spots as Naples, El Capitan, the Hollister Ranch, and countless other points and reefs in between. Sitting in the water on a sunlit day, with the green (or brown, depending upon the season) hills and mountains behind, the full effect of this area’s beauty can be truly felt. Now imagine the same scene with a bunch of mansions cluttering the hillside. Not so nice.
This was the fate that befell Malibu, which, unfortunately, was developed at a time when “Weekend at Bernie’s”-style houses were en vogue. What were once beautiful bluffs and deserted beaches are now ugly houses that are literally falling into the ocean. Bearing this in mind, it is surprising that anyone would want to develop on a coastal bluff, but land development companies such as Vintage Properties have just such a thing in mind for the property at Naples.
Naples, however, is the tip of the iceberg. All along the Gaviota Coast, bids and proposals exist for developments of one sort or another. El Capitan Canyon Resort wants to add a significant number of new guest facilities in El Capitan Canyon. Vintage has plans to build 50 to 70 mega-mansions at Naples. There are countless plans for development of smaller land parcels up and down the 101 corridor, consisting mostly of single-family dwellings.
Topping all of this is the recent sale of the Bixby Ranch at Point Conception. This huge chunk of pristine coastline has served as a cattle ranch for the past century, but its sale to a no-nonsense Boston investment firm gives it—for now—a somewhat uncertain future. At $135 million, this is one of the priciest land sales in California history. It’s hard to imagine that an investment firm would have benevolent conservation efforts planned for a property which is so attractive to a very wealthy lot of prospective homeowners. However, their attorney said that they do not yet have any plans for the property.
As surfers and lovers of our uniquely rural coastal scene, many of us would like to see the land preserved. The only way to ensure that this happens is to get involved. There are several organizations dedicated environmentalism and a slow-growth ideal—the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, the Naples Coalition, and Surfrider Foundation, to name a few. For more information, visit the following websites: www.gaviotacoastconservancy.org, www.savenaples.org, or www.sbsurfrider.org. 
Your Next Board: The 'Green' Board
By Katie McLean
The 2005 demise of Clark Foam, due to lack of compliance with environmental regulations, has opened up experimentation with 'green' alternatives. Many companies and shapers are attempting to use other methods and materials to make boards that will meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and benefit the environment. But polyurethane foam has proved over the years to be hard to replace because of its quality and price, so thousands of polyurethane blanks are being imported from countries around the world. These countries still use the harmful TDI that is restricted by the EPA and their extensive shipping is wasteful. With the end of the manufacturer of 65% of the world's surfboard blanks, various forms of blanks have been created to fill the hole in the market. Hess Surfboards is using sustainable harvested wood, cork, EPS foam, and epoxy resin. Aviso and Firewire are working with hollow carbon fiber board technology. Surftech is utilizing their Tuflite technology to mesh together fiberglass and PVC with epoxy resin over an EPS blank. S-core by Salomon uses hydrophobic extruded polystyrene foam and epoxy resin. Ocean Green's Ecofoil boards use hollow balsa blanks and organic hemp cloth.
UK's Sannyasi is using castor oil polyurethane and starch polymer resin to create biodegradable boards that are free of petrochemicals. Fletcher Chouinard is using low-pollution foam, chromium-free fiberglass treatments and epoxy resin. But because these alternatives are just now being introduced, they still have some problems. Wood boards are too heavy and cannot be produced in large quantities. Other boards will not gain enough attention because of their unattractive natural look. One of the most popular alternative, EPS foam, even includes some production, environmental, and popularity problems. Some shapers do not like extruded polystyrene foam because the huge blocks must be cut with a hot wire into blanks before the string glue-up. The metal molds in which polystyrene beads are expanded are expensive and difficult to make. Because of their bead composition the EPS foams are hard to shape cleanly and must be sealed before glassing. EPS foams must also be glassed with epoxy resin, which contains 75% volatile organic compounds, which contaminates air and water and contributes to global warming. Riders also complain of the stiffness of these boards. To win over shapers and surfers these new boards must provide quality, durability, aesthetic appeal, and ease of production. They must also struggle in competition with longstanding popular boards and cheaper boards. But what is important here is the surge in environmental designs encompassing both recyclable and sustainable materials showing the industry's desire to protect the environment.
The biggest advancement in environmental surfboards is Homeblown's new 'green' surfboard blank, which was recently presented by Ned McMahon at Surf Expo. In partnership with the UK's Eden Project and Wetsand, Homeblown has created a blank with 50% of the core ingredients constructed from renewable agricultural products. It does not contain synthetics, toxins, or any environmentally damaging substances. It was originally constructed from balsa wood which proved to be to heavy, so Chuck Menzel of Wetsand then formulated Biofoam by replacing the petroleum component of the foam with materials converted from natural plant oils. This production results in 36% less global warming emissions and a 61% reduction in non-renewable energy use. It reduces dependence on fossil fuels, reduces water and air pollution, and has low health risks. The polyurethane foam uses MDI rather than TDI, a foam that Gordon Clark himself had begun to experiment with. MDI has less health hazards, is stronger in compression strength, and is ten times more waterproof than TDI. It's small cell structure is good for color work and absorbs less resin. It eliminates air voids and pour marks, and has a consistent density for easy and clean shaping. This formula is ideal for shapers to easily work with to produce lighter and stronger boards. This environmentally conscious company has invented a blank that benefits the environment while still gaining the approval of shapers and riders. Homeblown understands that to win popularity, these eco-boards must impress the public with their performance and cost. In order to compete with other blanks, Homeblown has factories in Cornwall and Jeffrey's Bay and has recently opened their third plant in San Diego to support the largest surfboard manufacturing base in the nation. With the excitement of the surf industry's first 'green' surfboard blank, shapers, pros, and you will be lining up to try the 'green' board.
DVD Review
Surf Stronger: The Surfer's Workout
By: B.E Staff
I was pretty certain the Surf Stronger workout would bug me, so I invited a few of my discerning surf-rat/yoga friends over to check it out. My original snobbish rational was that in order to be a better surfer, you should surf more. This, would in fact prepare you for surfing in a way nothing else could. I turned on the video and am pleased to say, that I was wrong. The 45 minute DVD is a very professional well-done non-cheesy and easy to follow routine. The workout specifically focuses on strengthening muscles and areas of the body a surfer uses and overuses. The beauty of this workout, is the marriage between rehabilitative and restorative movements with the more physically demanding ones. Instructor Scott Adams is clearly well trained and knowledgeable and he holds a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He expertly utilizes weight training and the balance ball which is excellent for folks who are quick to lose focus and in need of more challenging movements. That said, in the first section, he leads a sort of pre-paddle out routine, which could very well be the most embarrassing thing you do, aside from being pitched into a cartwheel down the face of a wave. However, I still found great joy in my pre-surf warm-up. It felt somehow defiant and liberating stretching, as the ridiculous crowd watched and crowded the line up. Plus, if you want 'warm,' get into your 4/3 wetsuit, do a few 'deep lunges' and 'pop-ups' and let me tell you, you will be warm. The moves were really nice for my overworked back muscles and knees and I must say, I really did feel great before I even stepped one toe in the water. As surfers and fitness people, my friends and I had to admit that anyone--surfer or no—could gain something from the video.
Info:SURFSTRONGER is proud to support the Surfrider Foundation.
and is likewise proud to give 1% for the Planet .
Surf Stronger: The Surfer's workoutis available online at Wetsand.com and at Surfstronger.com
Posted February 2007 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
December 2006 Issue
Steady As She Goes
Steady As She Goes
By Chuck Graham
Assuring there would be no let down by Bobby Martinez after his win in Spain, the young goofy footer came through with another solid result, placing =5th in the Nova Schin Festival presented by Billabong in Brazil.
Martinez lost to Mick Fanning (AUS) in the quarterfinals 13.00 to 6.67 in challenging and shifting 6-foot plus surf at Imbituba Beach. Fanning went on to claim his second WCT victory, waxing Damian Hobgood with nearly two perfect scores that the Floridian couldn't overcome.
The win pushed Fanning up to second place in the WCT rankings. However, there will no doubt be a lot of jockeying to see who plays second fiddle to Kelly Slater, who has already won his 8th world title. Slater didn't bother to show in Brazil, and understandably so. Although the drama of a world title chase won't be the case in the WCT finale at Pipeline, there's certainly the intrigue of who will finish second in the standings, who will qualify for next year's CT (the top 27 CT surfers qualify for 2007), and the potential for a Slater/Irons showdown at Pipe is always worth a gander.
Martinez could find himself in second if he comes up big on the North Shore. Irons has to be steamed after his loss in Brazil, and now finds himself two points behind Martinez in the current standings. Martinez moved up from 6th to 4th, well within striking distance of second place. Irons, for his part would love another Pipeline Masters title on the mantle to salvage what has to be a disappointing year for him.
2006 WCT Current Standings
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7824
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6638
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6480
4. Bobby Martinez (USA) 6350
5. Andy Irons (HAW) 6348
6. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6240
7. Damian Hobgood (USA) 5774
8. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 5138
9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4880
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 4856
Posted December 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Tiki Waxx
Tikiwaxx—the latest and greatest in surf wax from Santa Barbara local Ramon Hernandez (you're gonna love it)
I heard from a friend who got second degree burns that life in the wax business can be rough--how is it treating you?
I have heard the same thing that it's a difficult biz to do well
in. Wax is a low margin/high volume business. What I'm trying to do is
tell surfers that surf wax can be more than just a bar of wax to rub
on your board. It can look cool and also help the environment.
Tikiwaxx will actively give back to the surfing community through
programs like 1% for the Planet and Surfrider Foundation once it is
widely distributed. Since every surfer needs wax, it is my
responsibility to give back to surfing and the ocean. Also, I will be
donating my time in different areas to help with beach clean up &
with some of the groms to talk about being responsible for their piece
of beach, don't let anyone disrespect it! If other brands can do it
through SEX, Tikiwaxx can do it with art, creativity and a
responsibility to our environment.
You are obviously a surfer with an affinity for Polynesian culture--tell me about the beginning, the seed that started it all?
It all started on a trip to Maui I took with my family after my
step-father passed away. I wanted to get a really
cool Tiki candle, but couldn't find one. Like anybody, I thought
'somebody really should make those things' So on the
way home from LAX to Santa Barbara I had the inspiration to use the
Tiki image in something I could use instead of just look at--a bar
of surf wax!
My friend JW says Tiki wax is the 'goopiest' wax he's ever used. He said it's like squeezing goo out of a tube on to your board-- can you tell me about the differences between your wax and some other brands?
Yeah, Tikiwaxx is definitely VERY sticky and goes on well, everyone who has used it swears its the stickiest they've ever used. The Cold Coconuts is designed to go on easily over any wax you might have gobbed up on your board, and will stay on. When used on its own or with a Base coat, it provides excellent traction. If you forgot to bring wax to the beach and you're already using Tikiwaxx you'll probably be okay just scratching your wax up a bit, it will still be extra sticky.
How old is Tikiwaxx?
The idea of Tikiwaxx is a few years old, and after a lot of
research & development the first batch became available this past
June, when I introduced the Cool Vibes and Cold Coconuts temperatures.
Now I'm working on my marketing and distribution as well as the
web-site. As far as Team Riders go, I call them 'Tribal Riders'. I'm hooking up a ripper from South Africa on the WQS named Ricky Basnett, and an insane surfer from Hawaii named Tomhenry Coletti, also Clay Wagner, JP Garcia, Joey Camacho, all from Ventura, and twin Santa Barbara High School groms
Shane & Tyler Millhollin
Where else can we buy your wax besides The Beach House and A-Frame?Tikiwaxx is also available online at tikiwaxx.com and in Santa Barbara at Clyde Beatty Products and Santa Barbara Ice, also at Wave Front and Bad Ass Coffee in Ventura, shops that have been supportive since before you could wax
up your slippery stick with a Sticky Tiki!
Posted December 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Locals Only: Bathrooms at Butterfly beach?
Locals Only
Bathrooms at Butterfly beach?
By Jesse Lassen Bellinger
The Montecito Journal ran an article not too long ago about the possibility of bathrooms at Butterfly beach along Channel Drive in Montecito. Developer and property owner Bernie MacElhenny wants to put a restroom along the 15 feet of tar and rocks that extends beyond the road as part of his property. The possibilities range from a stylized portapotty to a full scale, flushing bathroom in the ubiquitous Santa Barbara style. One option for offsetting cleaning costs includes a snack bar.
Opposition arguments ran the gamut from claiming Butterfly as a community beach to the danger of water pollution because the toilet would be so close to the high tide line. Connection to existing sewer lines would solve that one.
One unspoken argument against the bathrooms would be giving the homeless a little haven, because so far Butterfly is relatively unmarred by our less fortunate citizens. An easy counter ploy to that could be to charge 25 cents for access, and enjoy the humane side effects.
The random sample of beachgoers I asked thought a bathroom would be a grand idea. I’m no sanitary technician, but it seems water pollution would only be a problem if a portapotty were used. Those things are gross, and really shouldn’t be on any proposal for the area.
The best retort against a snack stand was that the Biltmore is one fine example of a snack bar. Access to the Biltmore is a shoddy excuse for a snack shack. When was the last time you felt comfortable or even remotely welcome shambling your beach-going self up the vaunted brick walkways and into the carpeted hallways to sit down for a little snack? As a local I’ve done it, waiting for the help to call me out and boot me back to the beach.
The “community beach” argument makes me wonder if the residents of Channel Drive have been walking around wearing blinders; it’s a public beach, and one of the most accessible in the city. The influx of fratboys, raves, and police patrols to keep the booze consumption down should tell you that. Butterfly had been discovered the last time I checked.
Storms also weren’t addressed. The first El Niño is going to destroy a bathroom perched on the high tide line. As well, placing a structure on some random plot of land would be blotchy. MacElhenny would do better to work an easement trade and put the bathroom near the existing Butterfly steps, complete with a shower. If nothing else, a shower.
Perhaps it could be a little, pocket-sized park the size of the bathroom, maintained by the county? Whatever the outcome, residents, the Montecito Association Land Use Committee, and high tide logistics dictate it won’t happen any time soon. Too bad, because nature calls even at the beach: where are all the people supposed to go?
MacElhenny needs to focus his project and lose the snack stand—that’s just a little too Coney Island. A bathroom would be a nice touch at Butterfly, done right.
Posted December 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
November 2006 Issue
Ventura's 17-year-old Cory Arrambide vs. Kelly Slater
By Katie McLean
Taking giant steps in surfing, 17-year-old Cory Arrambide recently switched from Robert's to Channel Islands, dominated local contests, and took his first trip to Europe to shoot with Billabong. It was in Europe that Arrambide took another big step when entering the Billabong Pro Mundaka against none other than Kelly Slater.
Despite the rainy weather while shooting with Billabong in France, Arrambide was enjoying the “good waves here and there” and was “stoked to see a totally different world.” Meanwhile, Troy Brooks was still hurt from a couple weeks back at Hossegor where he re-injured his knee. Brooks had to give up his wild card spot, which drafted first alternate Cory Arrambide into heat 1 of round 2. Arrambide “got the call the night before, packed up the car”, called his dad who was stoked, and headed to Bakio, Spain.
It was not until a couple of hours before his heat that Arrambide found out that he was competing against soon to be 8x World Champion, Slater. “I knew I was screwed, but I was still stoked,” said Arrambide. Trying to physc out his opponent, Slater showed up ten minutes before his heat to learn that he was competing against a 17-year-old WCT virgin. “He’s less than half my age. It’s kind of funny,” said Slater. “I was thinking about when I was 17 I surfed against Barton Lynch who was the world champion that year and I came really close to beating him. It was pretty exciting. I don’t think I’ve seen Arrambide surf yet, but I hear he’s really good.”
In the water, goofy foot Arrambide ripped up the lefts and got barreled by the 7 footers, but was just as happy to talk and surf with Kelly Slater. Arrambide held his ground well until a tube closed out on him, snapping his board in half. While Arrambide was assisted by the jet ski and brought a board from Taj Burrow's quiver, Kelly took advantage of Arrambide's absence. With only five minutes remaining when Arrambide got back into the line up, his few final waves were not enough to take out Slater. The heat ended 15.17 to 5.27.
The loss was of little consequence to Cory Arrambide. He was simply stoked about the whole experience. Now back home in Ventura, Arrambide is looking forward to a possible month-long trip to Hawaii in November to surf and shoot. He hopes to “do good in the last year at nationals and do good in the WQS.” With such progress, Arrambide proves to have an impressive future in surfing.
Wavelengths
By Michael Kew
Pismo Power
Blue Edge photographer Chris Burkard Wins Prestigious Award
Chris Burkard, Blue Edge’s very own two-time cover-shooter, was the lucky recipient of the first annual Follow the Light Foundation $5,000 grant bestowed in the name of iconic surf photographer Larry “Flame” Moore, who departed last year following a three-year battle with brain cancer.
Pismo’s Burkard, 20, was one of several noted finalists for the grant. His winning images were judged in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on October 10 by surf photography heavyweights including Aaron Chang, Jeff Divine, Art Brewer, and Steve Wilkings.
“I’m just so stoked,” Burkard said. “It means a lot to receive this award in the spirit of Flame, and I feel very lucky to have this to be able to help my photography to progress.”
With the cash, Burkard intends to launch into a book documentary project about the California coast, an idea he hatched with his friend Eric Soderquist.
Burkard entered the contest at the behest of TransWorld Surf Photo Editor Pete Taras.
“Chris is just an ultra passionate kid,” Taras said. “He eats, breathes, and sleeps photography—I don’t think I have ever met anyone so passionate about photography as him. Him winning the Flame award seems like a perfect fit, because he really shines and glows of the Flame spirit.”
Follow the Light (www.followthelightfoundation.org) is a non-profit group created by Moore’s wife, Candy, Chang, and Surfing magazine publisher Ross Garrett.
“Through his work at Surfing magazine, Larry literally gave three decades of surfing their ‘look,’” says the Foundation’s Web site. “Today, honoring Larry’s request, we have established the Follow the Light Foundation (FTL), an organization that will help finance the dreams of surf photographers, pushing the sport and its lensmen forward.”
Burkard began shooting surf photos about a year ago. His first official “surf photo” session was with Central Coast legend Van Curaza at Avila Beach.
As a grom, Burkard realized he was an artist, but wasn’t sure which medium he wanted to pursue.
“In high school I tried every different kind of art, like painting and sculpture,” he said. “I was looking for a medium that I would really be able to express myself in the right way. I fell upon photography though just wanting to shoot my friends, and it sort of stuck. That was when I started seeing photography as more than just a hobby.”
From June through September, under the auspices of Taras, Burkard served in the TransWorld Surf trenches, learning the tricks of the trade, and, having no “home” in SoCal, found himself driving back and forth weekly between Arroyo Grande and Oceanside, five hours each way, sleeping in rest stops, parking lots, eating fast food, and changing the oil in his truck four times.
“Pete really taught me a lot, like how to shoot artistically for publication,” Burkard said. “I learned a lot from being around all the editors, but I’ve always been influenced and inspired by Flame. Thanks, Flame—we miss you.”
Check out Burkard’s Web site: www.burkardphoto.com
Posted November 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
October 2006 Issue
Blue Edge News
The Donnie Solomon 10th Annual Pro-Am Surf Contest
By Sean Hayes
Contest photos by Jason Wilcott
As a crisp offshore belted out of the Ventura River Canyon and a clean set peeled down the point, a scream was heard…“Oh look at that one!” said Keoni Cuccia “Donnie would be on it…I’m out there!”, and so it began, the 10th Annual Donnie Solomon Memorial.
Every year a group of friends and dedicated surfers gather in memory of fallen brother Donnie Solomon. Donnie Solomon was a well known professional surfer and native of Ventura who died while surfing Waimea Bay in December 1995 shortly after riding the wave of his life. Solomon was a strong supporter of the Red Cross and visited their facilities throughout the world while he traveled and competed in the WQS (World Qualifying Series). He encouraged other surfers and youth to receive safety training in first aid and CPR as well as lifeguard training. It was Donnie’s helpful attitude and way of giving back in conjunction with the Red Cross that makes the memorial so special and creates the inspiration he left behind.
The 10th Annual Donnie Solomon Memorial Benefit and Pro Am went down September 15, 16, and 17 at “C-Street” in Ventura. The event was held at one of Donnie’s favorite surfing locales, “The Pipe”, or the Northern corner of Ventura’s California Street. The benefit is a creation of Mary Lou Drummy’s WSA expertise and son Chris Drummy’s professional prowess and marketing skills with Fox Riders Co. Those characteristics mixed with a little bit of South swell and Northwest windswell would provide plenty of love being spread for the late great “Don-O” as we called him back in the day.
The attendees included 805 locals Dan Malloy, Henry Mills, Keoni Cuccia, Dane Reynolds, Jeremy Ryan, Nick Rosza, Adam Virs, Sean Hayes, Chad Compton, Dennis Rizzo, Nick Argyropoulos, Kellen Ellison, Spencer Regan and Dave Hopkins. Southern California pros such as Ted Navarro, Jesse Evans, Bron Hussenstam, Brandon Ragenovich, and Sean Burrell all came up to represent in Donnie’s name. And represent they did by shining in the smallish wedges and point-style lines throughout the day.
Of all the players, it was Dan Malloy who made a big impression in his first heat by sporting “the Red Jersey” and matching red trunks, which he then added to a 5’8” “Fun Hog Twinnie” shaped by Fletcher Chouinard and lit the Pipe on fire. Other surfers to follow and brighten up the scene were Ventura’s Keoni Cuccia and Carpinteria’s “Hank” Mills. All surfers were making it happen and as the event progressed, the crowd saw some amazing surfing and lots of love in the annual paddle out for Don-O. Where nearly 50 surfers gathered and spoke of Donnie’s life and heroic antics. And although everyone was awaiting the after party to celebrate in Don-O’s name soon to follow, it was the Pro-Am final that had to go down first.
The last heat of the day would see Dan Malloy, Shaun Burrell, Ted Navarro, and Keoni Cuccia doing what Donnie loved most…put on the heat in competition. Teddy Navarro dropped a 7.25 within a minute and backed that up with another high scoring ride, and was looking like the man to beat. However, Malloy and Cuccia are true homeboys to Donnie’s favorite spot and soon began to deliver their answers, as did Shaun Burrell with a deadly backhand attack on the inside corner. Scores went down for all four riders, until Dan Malloy dropped a hammer with an 8.5. The clocked ticked away and the others scrambled to beat Dan, but it was Dan’s day, and he was still on fire in the red trunks.
The award ceremony went down soon with the sun and the boys were very grateful to compete in Donnie’s name. So much so in fact, that Dan ($1500) and Keoni ($500) donated their near $2,000 in cumulative prize money back to the Red Cross. Very cool and very inspiring.
The benefit concert and art show would move the good vibe along that evening in downtown Ventura at Table 13. It would raise even more spirits and Red Cross funds in Donnie’s name. Headlining the show was evolving acoustic legend Todd Hannigan, and “Hirocho” master Xocoyotzin (CHOKE-O-YOTE-ZIN). Friends of Donnie; Kent Doonan, John Swift, and Central Coaster Shane Stoneman all jammed for the cause, while artists Sean Tully, Chris Charney, and Davey Miller presented some amazing work that created a very smooth ambient feel to the night. As the night went on, so did the love of the memory of Donnie Solomon and all in attendance felt his presence.
Special thanks to those who helped make the 10th Annual Donnie Solomon Memorial a reality…you know who you are!!
Adam Virs' My Spot – Presented by Fox – September 14th, 2006
By Chris Drummy
Photos by Jason Wilcott
After a tough round two heat against Mick Fanning at the Boost Mobile WCT, California freak Dane Reynolds immediately picked up his cell phone for an important call…
“Virs, I coming up to surf the My Spot.”
The third installment of Fox’s “My Spot” event for aerial specialist and Ventura local Adam Virs is now in the Fox event bank account. The showdown took place Thursday September 14th at Virs’ spot of choice, “The Pipe”, or the Northern corner of Ventura’s California Street. With a decent Southern Hemisphere pulse and a touch of Northwest wind swell, the combination of the two delivered a fun mix of waist to chest high wedges that sent some surfers racing down the line into big scores and some falling short with no face to play with.
Those attending the event and handpicked by Virs himself provided plenty of competition and trash talking to make “My Spot” what it is. The list of attendees was a sick talent pool ready to give Virs a run for his $2000 and KMC Wheels that included Dane Reynolds, Jeremy Ryan, Nick Rosza, Cory Arrambide, Tarik Khoshogi, Kai Ellison, and “The Grom” Spencer Regan. Fox riders Che Stang, Jesse Evans, Keoni Cuccia, Sean Hayes, Torrey Meister, along with amateurs Mike McCabe, and Kellen Ellison were in full effect, not to mention Virs’ local heroes Dave Hopkins, and Guy Quezada. Needless to say…it was on.
The great thing about the My Spot is what it does to a hot group of guys like this…pushes ‘em to GO BIG! Not only is there cash on the line for the finalists, but also from sponsors like Ventura Surf Shop, Sector 9, and Utopia Optics for Biggest Air, Best Maneuver, Hottest Girlfriend, Top Am, Highest Heat Total, and Highest Wave Score. Starting off the specialty category was Jeremy Ryan’s intro high wave score of an 8.33, where he delivered four deadly backhand gouges that were smooth as silk. Soon to follow were Henry Mills demolishing a medium sized right hander to apply for the Most Radical Maneuver category and then Keoni Cuccia forcing a tie of an 8.33 to match Ryan. However, as situations changed and My Spot entrants fought to get to Virs, it was the Ventura Surf Shop Expression Session that had all eyes on the water.
As soon as the “Exprezz O Sezh O” began as announcer Ryan Simmons labeled it, there were twenty shredders including Virs himself trying to nab $300 bucks for the taking. From the beach, most spectators had their eye on free surf phenom Dane Reynolds and his BIG attempts, while young Torrey Meister was dropping countless front side Air 360’s, and even Chad Compton took off with a section clearing Superman.
Then, in true Virs Fashion, “Out of Nowhere” came a wedgy left hander right to him and then “BOOM” a HUGE backside air 360 is stuck by the My Spot kid to get the nod from spectators and judges AND himself with the “Double-Bird Claim”.
The competition kept spectators and the knocked out entrants around all day to witness the man-on-man “Semi-semi’s” with Cory Arrambide taking out Keoni Cuccia and the “The Grom” Spencer Regan dropping a “Hail Mary” score to overtake Yves Bright at the horn. Cory then took out Spencer in the Semi’s destroying a few rights on his backhand, then unleashing a few frontside air 360’s for good measure and a “combo” situation for the Grom.
The final would see Virs paired up with Arrambide and the trash talking ensued. Within seconds of the horn Cory nabbed a tight little right delivering an 8.5 which would leave Virs in question of the score and put him in a tough spot for the rest of the heat. Adam soon dropped a high 6 point ride, with Arrambide on the wave behind dropping an 8.0. Virs fought back looking for the 9.1 he needed and came close with an 8.9 and 30 seconds to go. As fate would have it, the grom got the cash, the KMC rims, a nice headlock from Virs and the title for the Adam Virs My Spot.
1st Place: Cory Arrambide $2000 + KMC Rims
2nd Place: Adam Virs $1000
3rd Place: Spencer Regan $600
=5th Place: Keoni Cuccia $300
Yves Bright $300
Ventura Surf Shop Expression Session: Adam Virs $300
Sector 9 Top Placing Amateur: Cory Arrambide $250
Utopia Optics Best Air: Cory Arrambide $250
Most Radical Maneuver: Henry “Hank” Mills $250
Highest Heat Total: Cory Arrambide $250
Highest Wave Score: Cory Arrambide $250
Hottest Girlfriend: Kellen Ellison $250
Big thanks to all the sponsors:
Reyes Mexican Food
KMC Wheels
Ventura Surf Shop
Sector 9
Utopia Optics
Rock Star Energy Drink
Roberts Surfboards
Pro Light
Posted October 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Environmental News
Surfrider Paddle for Clean Water Makes a Big Splash
By Ken Pally
Photos by Will Russ
Skies were blue and sunny and the water cool and inviting on Saturday September 16th but, as Surfrider was quick to point out, hidden dangers lurked. No not C. Megadolon, the Great white Shark but more subtle and insidious dangers from bacteria, viruses and chemical pollutants. A little over 100 environmentally conscious people and activists and community members gathered on the sand at Stearn’s Wharf to hear Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assemblyman Pedro Nava, 1st district Supervisor Salud Carbajal and Santa Barbara city council member Helene Schneider talk about the need for local, regional and comprehensive national ocean policies. The focus of the event was to bring public awareness to the recommendations of the Pew Oceans Commission Report and the US Commission on Ocean Policy Report. Particularly important are the following recommendations:
1.Enact a National Ocean Policy Act to protect, maintain and restore the health, integrity, resilience, and productivity of our oceans
2.Establish National Ocean Council in the Executive Office of the president, chaired by an Assistant to the President, or establish an independent national oceans agency.
3.Double the nation’s investment in ocean research, launch a new area of ocean exploration, and create the advanced technologies and modern infrastructure needed to support them.
After all the serious talk the main event was a short, fun paddle out of surfboards, kayaks outrigger canoes to the Y at Stearn’s Wharf to form up into a healing circle of 85 people to pray to whatever gods or goddesses there may be to help us heal our ocean and to protect the world’s waves, oceans and beaches for all people.
Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter wants to thank all of the great folks that showed up to support our efforts. We want to thank our fabulous local community sponsors: Maps.com our principal corporate sponsor, Softshare, Patagonia, Clipper windpower Mr. Zogs Sex Wax, New Belgium Brewery, MapLink, Citrix Online, SurfTwig and BlueEdge magazine. Without the grass roots support of local citizens and the local businesses none of this would have been possible. Next year we hope to have a bigger and better paddle and look forward to seeing you all there.
If you want to learn more about these issues and find out how you can get involved in saving the ocean and your planet check out the following links.
http://www.pewoceans.org/
http://www.oceancommission.gov/
www.sbsurfrider.org
Riding the Wave of Change Campaign for universal health insurance in California
Landmark legislation that would provide comprehensive health and dental insurance to all California residents passed the legislature at the end of August. The Governor’s signature would set into motion the premise for all Californians to have excellent, publicly financed and accountable, and totally pre-paid health insurance. The legislation, SB 840 (Kuehl) the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, would provides for a single, lifetime, secure, health insurance policy, at affordable costs where everyone has free choice of their own personal, private doctor and treatment.
The non partisan health policy analysts, the Lewin Group, showed that a plan such as SB 840 would cost California taxpayers $8 billion less than is currently publicly and privately spent.
The grassroots, volunteer organization Health Care for All – California and other endorsing organizations are embarking on a year long public education and advocacy campaign called OneCareNow.
The launch of the OneCareNow campaign occurred in Morro Bay with the surfing theme “Riding the Wave of Change”. Sarah Gerhardt, the first female tow-in surfer and the first female stand-up surfer to ride Mavericks shared stories and her unequivocal support of SB 840.
The campaign culminates with a Rally in Sacramento on August 19, 2007 for the to promoting the passage and funding of a universal health insurance system and to make sure legislators fulfill their promise to provide health insurance for all Californians.
Join the OneCareNow event in Isla Vista on Sunday, October 22, 2006, 6:30 to 8:30PM. at Friendship Manor which will be followed by a procession along Embarcadero del Mar to People’s Park for a candlelight vigil remembering the uninsured.
For more information on SB840 go to www.healthcareforall.org, www.onecarenow.org, or contact Peter Conn at pconnt43@cox.net or 682-5183. 21st Century medicine in California can be affordably accessible to all, including our surfing community. Come Ride the Wave of Change.
(Article by Paulina Conn, 2612 Foothill Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93105. pconnt43@cox.net. 682-5183)
Shark Park
A documentary by Greg Huglin featuring an international team of towsurfers, including Rusty Long, Mark Healy, Dan Malloy, Eric Akiskalian and others who ride a secret virgin wave at a remote offshore reef
West Coast Premier showing . . .
Date: Wednesday, October 18 OR Thursday, October 19
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: all tickets $10 – general seating (doors open at 6:15 pm)
Where: Crane Country Day School
1795 San Leandro Lane, Montecito
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the school or at the door. For more information, call 969-7732 ext: 101
~ a benefit for Crane Country Day School ~
Posted October 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
September 2006 Issue
News
Time for a Change
By Katie McLean
Local surfers, families, and visitors will be mourning by the end of October upon the closure of Santa Barbara's Esau's. For 52 years, 403 State Street has been the funky breakfast and lunch shop with surf decor and lines going out the door. Scott Stanley bought the restaurant from Esau 28 years ago, and with his wife, Arti, has managed it, along with the Esau's they opened 4 years ago in Carpenteria. Stanley, who loves the ocean and has been surfing since he was 12, moved here when he was 18. Now living in Carpenteria, his wife usually runs the restaurant there on Linden Avenue, while he runs the one in Santa Barbara.
Landlord of the property, Abe Safina, has refused to negotiate a 5th lease. Safina owns over 30 downtown properties, mostly on Chapala Street, which he received from his father who purchased much of Santa Barbara in the 40's and 50's. Tadd's Liquor, next door to Esau's, was evicted after 25 years of business, and has remained vacant for the last 3 years now. Bitter feelings are directed at Safina for not giving any reasons for eviction. The last and only words given to Stanley for reason were, “Time for a change.” Remodeling the space to sell or lease at a higher price, has not proved to be the reason, but with the patten of recent Santa Barbara landlords, this could end up being the result. As Santa Barbara's small local shops are being forced to close down, they are being replaced with large chains of businesses, taking away the uniqueness of Santa Barbara. With the recent and upcoming openings of Volcom, Michael Stars, Pacsun, Sephora, and Ripcurl, downtown Santa Barbara is beginning to look all too much like L.A. The original quaint Santa Barbara is selling out to new developments of condos and hotels that are overcrowding the once small town, which used to have the space to breath that locals appreciated. The crowds of Southern California are creeping up the coast, and who knows, maybe Safina is making room for Santa Barbara's first Walmart.
In the final months or month of business, Stanley is searching for cheap rent somewhere downtown to continue Esau's. If nothing comes up, an opening of Esau's in Ventura might become an option. Until then, Esau's family of workers are staying to the end. If a new Esau's doesn't look possible, then some workers will move over to the one in Carpenteria, while Stanley looks into other opportunities, such a selling Esau's pancake mix in local stores. Possibly the most enticing opportunity for Stanley is the availability of more time to visit his house in Scorpion Bay to surf. Until then, Stanley greatly appreciates the strong support from customers and the great memories, but the doors have yet to close, so get your pancakes while you still can!
US Open of Surfing
By Katie McLean
The Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill in Huntington Beach, a six-star WQS rated event, resulted in a number of personal victories.
Former two-time event champion Rob Machado lost last year in a close final against Andy Irons. This year Machado clawed his way from the early rounds of the trials to win his third US Open. Despite the wind-blown head high surf, he was very happy with the crowd's energy and his comeback. With his success in the few contests he has competed in this year, including his win earlier this year at the four-star WQS at Pipeline, this could be the turning point that puts him back on the WCT and qualify him for the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour.
Runner-up Roy Powers' (HAW) rookie season was not going great as he was struggling to keep his spot for next years tour, but this finish will boost his WQS ratings and help him re-qualify for the World Tour. Goofy-foot Mike Losness lost to his childhood hero, Machado, in the semi-finals. This finish has inspired him to want to try more WQS events next year. Eighteen year old Jeremy Flores' (REU) finish in the semi-finals shoots him up to fifth on the WQS, which could qualify him for next year's World Tour, but being so young, he sees no pressure in qualifying yet.
Santa Barbara's Bobby Martinez advanced to the quarter-finals, but his biggest victory was defeating legendary Sunny Garcia. As a rookie on the World Tour, Martinez was delighted to surf along side the Hawaiian hero and former ASP World Tour Champion. Martinez easily advanced in the opening heat with a total heat score of 15. He took out Damien Hobgood and other big names along the way.
Women's U.S. Open of Surfing & Pro Junior
By Katie McLean
Surfing the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of since age14, former ASP Women's World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) achieved her childhood dream of finally being crowned champion. This year's physical and mental training at home successfully resulted in winning the first WQS event that she has competed in this season. After being runner-up on last year's World Tour, Mulanovich struggled this year, but is sure that this confidence booster will keep her on a roll. With her new WQS points, jet ski, and $4,500 prize money, as well as her current spot at 8th in the world, Mulanovich is stoked.
Meanwhile, in one of the closest heats of the Target Women's Pro Junior, Lee Ann Curren(FRA) edged out competitors to win the ASP $10,000 Grade Two event. Curren admits entering the 2-3ft surf nervously, because of the talented competitors and difficultly in finding good waves. She plans on surfing more WQS events, but without letting them interfere with her last year of school. With her victories at the Roxy Pro Junior and the Buondi Pro Junior in in Portugal, this is her third consecutive Pro Junior win this season, all in the last few weeks.
Posted September 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Environmental News
Preserving a National Treasure: Big Waves a Coming
By Greg Karpain
The battle to save the Naples coastline from a proposed 54 mansion development project is under way and the Naples Coalition is calling on concerned surfers to suit up and help protect the Naples reef and the Gaviota Coast. The United Nations lists the Gaviota Coast as one of the top 15 ecological wonders in the world, a designation signifying its biological diversity. If the proposed Naples development project is approved, it will
-Set an unwanted precedent for building up and down the Gaviota Coast
-Destroy the natural beauty of the area forever
-Claim some of the last remaining open coastland in Southern California
-Imperil the water quality in the sensitive Naples Reef ecosystem
In addition to losing one of the world’s great open coastal scenic views, the wrong project at Naples would cause disastrous consequences for conservation efforts on the Gaviota Coast. A new housing development in the middle of the Gaviota Coast would set the wrong expectations in the minds of other landowners, and create the wrong permitting precedent by the County.
Surf’s up! The Naples Coalition Paddles Out
That’s why the Naples Coalition (created by Surfrider Foundation, Gaviota Coast Conservancy, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Citizen’s Planning Association, and League of Women Voters) banded together in 2003 to protect the rural character of the Gaviota Coast. After years of fact finding, soul searching, debate, and discussions with the developer, the Naples Coalition crafted an alternative proposal which is listed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR ) as Alternative 2. Alternative 2 allows the developer to obtain a reasonable return on investment, while protecting the rural character and environmental qualities of the Naples area.
The Naples Coalition’s decision to develop an independent, community-based alternative grew out of the legal realities at Naples. After a long struggle with land speculators over the legality of a long-forgotten 1888 paper subdivision, the County was forced to adopt an Official Map in 1995, recognizing 274 lots at Naples, a historical legal exception to the agricultural zoning of the Gaviota Coast. This wasn’t a political land use decision by the community; this was a legal coup by the Morehart Land Company. The Morehart Land Company then sold most of its interests to Matt Osgood’s Vintage Communities of Orange County, a residential development company.
Santa Barbara Community Speaks Out Loudly
On July 14 the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission and the Central Board of Architectural Review (CBAR) hosted a public tour of the Naples and Dos Pueblos Ranch properties. The developer constructed “story poles” outlining the general height and size of selected buildings. About 100 citizens, an extraordinary number for such an excursion, took off a workday to view the dramatic visual impact of the future mansions on the viewshed.
About the same time, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed Naples development project (officially called the Santa Barbara Ranch Project) was released for public review on June 28th and contains, in addition to the developer’s 54 mansion proposal, the more environmentally sensitive Naples Coalition proposal (Alternative 2). County Planning staff is currently accepting public comments and letters for an extended 90 day period ending September 27.
Between 200-250 members of the public, an unprecedented number, attended the public comment meeting on the DEIR on June 27. During this overflow, standing-room-only meeting, concerned citizens, the Naples Coalition, and Chumash representatives, presented a series of policy discrepancies and inconsistencies in the recently released DEIR, and requested an extension period (which the developer granted) to further study and understand the complex 1400 page document. Fifty of the attendees spoke in support of the Naples Coalition Alternative 2 during the four hour overtime session.
A Flawed DEIR Revealed
The Naples Coalition and its attorneys, Marc Chytilo and The Environmental Defense Center, have been reviewing the 1400 page DEIR in exhaustive detail. This document is seriously flawed and needs significant revision, if not a complete rewrite. Here are some of its most serious inadequacies:
A Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) study was undertaken in conjunction with the DEIR. The methodology and assumptions of this study inflate the value of the development, making the desirable transfer of the building rights more difficult.
The developer is attempting to “sequence” the development of the project, building the inland portion before receiving Coastal Commission permission to build the coastal portion. This sequencing prejudices the review of the project in several very important ways in favor of the development and is strongly opposed by the Naples Coalition.
The DEIR includes a zone district that sets the guidelines for building. This zone district is vague and inadequate, and allows that a residence of any size could be built. The Naples Coalition developed its own zone district language (in Alternative 2) that states that if anything is built on the property it must be environmentally sensitive and not significantly exceed the size of the average house currently on the coast.
The DEIR sites the building of the California Coastal Trail inland (along the railroad tracks and frontage road), disregarding State suggested guidelines which state that the Coastal Trail shall be built as close to the coast as possible.
By the Naples Coalition’s count, more than 20 of the proposed residences will be visible from the Highway 101 and coastal trail viewshed as Class One (significant, non-mitagateable) impacts. This is not permissible under County guidelines, but the DEIR proposes it anyway.
The deadline for the public to send in comments is September 27, 2006. A link to the DEIR, information on where and how to send your comments, as well as in-depth information on the issues can be found at the Naples Coalition website www.savenaples.org. It is important to send in comments (via automated email or letters from the www.savenaples.org website) on DEIR inadequacies as well as your opinions on “Keeping the Coast Clear.” Get involved if you care about the future of our coast.
* * * * * * * *
Posted September 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
August 2006 Issue
Environmental News
Community Environmental Council
By Katie McLean
With growing evidence that worldwide we have reached,or will soon reach, the global peak for oil production, most experts think we have, at most, 20 to 30 years of cheap oil left. CEC's Fossil Free by '33 campaign is challenging the tri-county region to set an example for our nation and the world by ending its dependence on fossil fuels(primarily oil and coal) and meeting its needs through conservation and renewable resources, such as solar, wind and ocean energy.
CEC is maping out the steps this region needs to take to reduce our carbon emissions and completely replace the current and projected energy needs with sustainable energy resources. This will include all energy needs: commercial, governmental, institutional, and residential energy, as well as energy associated with transportation.
The affects of fossil fuels on human health has led to spread of disease, drought, respiratory problems, and heat-related deaths and illness. Environmental impacts include air pollution, water pollution, climate change, and loss of species. The economy has been whiplashed and burden with property loss, skyrocketing insurance claims, and the need for more national security.
Fossil Free by '33 has identified the problems with unsustainable energy practices, and has proposed a feasible program to achieve regional energy independence. Improvements in energy efficiency and conservation will be made through building smarter, improving fuel efficiency, and promoting public transportation.
New production methods of wind, solar, and ocean energy, along with recycling and conservation of energy will be put to work to provide the tri-counties with enough energy to be fossil fuel independent.
The Groundwater Connection
(Text from Heal the Ocean March 2006 newsletter RE: USGS Study of shallow groundwater beneath the City of Santa Barbara):
Heal the Ocean has been supporting a three-year investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of the shallow groundwater beneath the city of Santa Barbara near Mission Creek and along the waterfront. This project began in Fall, 2005, and has already resulted in some hugely significant findings.
During the week of December 5, 2005, USGS scientists found high fecal bacteria counts in one of the groundwater wells next to the beach at Santa Barbara's waterfront, at Skater’s Park on Cabrillo Blvd. The fecal bacteria included enterococcus and e. coli. These results suggest that fecal pollutants may be transferred into the ocean through shallow groundwater discharge.
The USGS scientists will be taking more samples and DNA tests will be performed. It should be noted that the water being sampled from these wells is not accessible to the frequently blamed pollution sources – homeless encampments in particular.
The implications are enormous, not only for Santa Barbara, but for all coastal communities which may now need to examine and consider shallow groundwater as an important mechanism for transporting pollutants to the ocean – whether from septic leachfields, faulty sewer laterals or cracked sewer mains.
The USGS work in Santa Barbara is "state-of-the-art" technology that has not yet been widely enacted or used. Stanford University did some preliminary investigations in 2004 and issued a news statement that groundwater transport of pollutants to the ocean was "likely."
Heal the Ocean has been hammering on this issue for years. Beginning in 1999 with the yearly financial help of The Ann Jackson Family Foundation, we participated (with Drew Bohan of Channelkeeper) in the hiring of a researcher to examine the City's sewer maintenance records. We also hired a leak detection expert to view video sewer inspections in areas we identified as problematic, and we searched for a reputable hydrologic/drilling company (unsuccessfully) that would get monitoring wells into certain locations based on careful study of maps of the areas.
Finally, when the City agreed to hire the USGS in a three-year investigation of groundwater beneath the city, Heal the Ocean leaped to the chance to support this project. We hired grantwriter Stephanie Jamgochian to contribute to the USGS work, and in September 2005, we handed the City of Santa Barbara a check for $30,000 to support the first year of the USGS investigation. These funds were generously granted to us by the Orange County Community Foundation (Marisla), $25,000, and the Andrew H. Burnett Foundation ($5,000).
The study, "Microbial Contamination of Urban Streams and Ocean Beaches" (MCUSOB), is a collaboration with the city of Santa Barbara, the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and HTO.
By September 2005, the USGS team had installed 13 monitoring wells into the water table beneath Santa Barbara, and had performed a 24-hour sample collection on each of the 13 wells. To date, all of the wells have been sampled at least once for a full 24-hour period and a complete set of analytical results will be compiled during Year Two of the project.
Heal the Ocean believes the MCUSOB project is applying cutting-edge technology to an investigation that, when finished, will have vast implications not only for Santa Barbara, but for every coastal community in the nation – and possibly the world. Stephanie Jamgochian is currently working to raise at least $50,000 for HTO to contribute to Year Two of the USGS study, during which DNA tests will be performed on the water samples from both monitoring wells and Mission Creek.
Meanwhile, we continue our work on the potential, if not likely, sources of groundwater pollution – septic systems, sewer pipes and laterals. Mindful of what these findings may mean to homeowners financially, we continue to conduct, facilitate and oversee cost/feasibility studies, area by area.
GROUNDWATER WORK – FIRST YEAR
Drains emptying into Mission Creek have tested positive for caffeine and fecal sterols (evidence of human fecal contamination). Also, Heal the Ocean took to a USC lab samples collected from three USGS testing sites, and the USC lab discovered enteroviruses and human bacteroides in the Mission Creek/Haley Drain installation. (The city Creeks Division has since initiated the diversion of this drain into the El Estero wastewater treatment plant.)
Seepage run measurements along Mission Creek, to determine the connection between groundwater and creek, were conducted. This information is necessary to understand if pollutants from creeks are getting into groundwater and vice versa. USGS scientist Dr. John Izbicki said his team has discovered a "dramatic" connection between groundwater and Mission Creek – when the City's dewatering wells come on, the creek goes down.
Marine receptivity work at the near-shore during both high and low tides is mapping the position of the ocean/groundwater interface and the USGS team is using radium sampling techniques to identify exact areas of focused groundwater discharge to the ocean.
Seep meters have been installed along the beach to record the influx and discharge of ocean water over several tidal cycles. Over one of those tidal cycles, USGS samples for nutrients and fecal coliform to determine if pollution is coming from onshore or offshore.
End of Naples DEIR comment period August 28
by Katie McLean
Your opportunity to voice your concerns through mail, about the Naples development proposal detailed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report, ends August 28th! It is critical to inform decision makers of the depth and concern of the community. Every letter makes a difference.
Please write to express your opposition to the proposed development of Naples and support for the Naples Coalition’s alternative that moves residential development off of the sensitive coastal bluffs.
Send to:
Steve Chase Planning & Development Santa Barbara, CA 93101
123 East Anapamu St.
Pre-written letters are available on www.savenaples.org to be printed, signed, and mailed.
Oceanducks presents the Third Annual Channel Swim to benefit Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and other ocean-caring groups.
Santa Barbara, California (July 17, 2006) – On September 15-16, Oceanducks, Santa Barbara’s own ocean swimming adventure group, presents the 2006 Channel Swim, a fun-filled event that brings the community together to raise money for local environmental groups. The main beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser is Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, a nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the Channel and its watersheds.
Starting at Santa Cruz Island the evening of Friday, September 15, the Channel Swim involves more than 80 swimmers and kayakers who cross the 26-mile long channel in relay form, ending at East Beach in Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon. An award-ceremony and dinner party for all participants, organizers and sponsors is held immediately thereafter at East Beach Grill.
The annual fundraiser is arranged and executed by the Oceanducks, a local group founded to bring awareness to the ocean and encourage ocean swimming among young and old alike. The “Ducks” (headed by longtime swimmer Emilio Casanueva) have gathered at Butterfly Beach every Sunday morning for the past four years to swim, socialize and enjoy a potluck breakfast. Since the first Channel Swim in 2004, the group keeps growing weekly and includes swimmers of all ages and fitness levels. Many members swim together daily at Butterfly Beach, East Beach and Goleta Beach. Additionally, the organization offers adventure swim trips around the world, seeking out various locations to do channel crossings, including Mexico and the Caribbean.
Not only do the Ducks help promote health through ocean swimming and the importance of giving back to Mother Nature, the weekly gatherings and the Channel Swim provide a fun way for people in the community to come together.
For more information about the upcoming Channel Swim and the Oceanducks, please visit www.oceanducks.org or www.sbck.org. The 2004 and 2005 crossings were hugely successful, and we anticipate this year’s event will supersede all expectations.
Thanks for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Isabelle Gullö
PR Director
Santa Barbara Channel Swim
805-637-1892
isabelle.gullo@gmail.com
Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
July 2006 Issue
July News
Meanwhile South of the Border
By Chuck Graham
The Rip Curl Pro Search WCT held at La Jolla, Mexico, began with a bang and pumped through the finals, where three-time WCT champion Andy Irons prevailed over tour veteran Taylor Knox in good three to six foot righthanders.
The first two days of competition, at the sand bottom point, saw epic conditions with eight to ten foot barrels running for 150 feet. Once again, Santa Barbara standout Bobby Martinez got off to a blistering start with the highest total score during the first day of the event. His combined score of 18.13, against wildcard Ben Dunn (AUS), and former WCT champ, Marc Occhilupo (AUS), easily dispatched the pair into the losers bracket.
In Round three, Martinez was up against South African David Weare, and beat him soundly by six points, but in Round 4, Martinez came up short against Bede Durbidge (AUS) finishing =9th.
Current and seven-time world champ, Kelly Slater missed the last event in Fiji, but returned from a nagging rib injury. Although he was ripping in the earlier rounds, Slater was knocked off by good buddy Taylor Knox in the quarterfinals, finishing =5th.
With his first WCT victory in 2006, Irons moved up to second on the ratings, leap-frogging over Martinez and just behind Slater. Martinez finds himself only 225 points behind the top slot, but the 2006 title is anyone's ball game at this point for the surfers rated 1 through 7.
If anything, Martinez is displaying a level of consistency far beyond his years. So far he has a win in Tahiti, and four other top ten finishes, all the while gaining valuable experience as he feels his way through his rookie campaign.
The tour now shifts to the Dark Continent and South Africa's Jeffreys Bay. This will be the sixth stop on the 2006 tour, and marks the half way point in the race for the world title. It's another long pointbreak, something Martinez is accustomed to if you've seen him ripping Rincon the last few winters.
WCT 2006 Top 10
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Andy Irons (HAW)
3. Bobby Martinez (USA)
=4. Taj Burrow (AUS)
=4. Taylor Knox (USA)
6. Damien Hobgood (USA)
7. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
8. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
9. Bruce Irons (HAW)
10. Tim Reyes (USA)
CHANNEL ISLANDS SURFBOARDS SIGNS AGREEMENT
FOR BURTON TO ACQUIRE ITS ASSETS
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (June 29, 2006) - Channel Islands Surfboards' Al Merrick today announced that the company has been acquired by Burton Snowboards.
The founders of each company, Al Merrick and Jake Burton Carpenter, forged an agreement over the fact that they share a similar mindset and passion for their respective sports.
"Al and I have approached the direction of our companies with the same mindset: putting our future in the hands of the pros who are defining our sports," says Jake Burton Carpenter, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. "Our identical philosophies on product development are what make this relationship so natural. As we learn more from each other, Channel Islands and Burton can only get better."
Channel Islands will remain in Santa Barbara, California, and Merrick will continue to lead the company he founded in 1969 to create surfboards for many of the world's best surfers.
"I'm very excited about this venture and what we can do together to advance surf technology and lead surfing into the future," says Al Merrick, Founder of Channel Islands. "Channel Islands' goal will continue to be focusing on producing the best surfboards in the world. Both Jake and I have a real passion for staying at the forefront of technology, innovation and design. In the future, I will continue to work in the same capacity that I have always worked in, designing and shaping surfboards."
Jake adds, "Spending time with Al was cool, but you learn a lot more about someone when you go for a surf together. That's when I started to understand the soul of Channel Islands. I look forward to providing a home forChannel Islands for many years to come."
"Having worked with Jake for the past ten years and having known Al for the past couple of years, I have had an incredible opportunity to interact with two very passionate and focused individuals," says Laurent Potdevin,Burton's Chief Executive Officer. "Burton and Channel Islands are authentic brands, and this transaction is a very unique opportunity. Channel Islands will continue to be led by Al, staying true to its roots while gaining the resources to explore its full potential."
About Channel Islands Surfboards:
Founded by Al Merrick in 1969 and based in Santa Barbara, California, Channel Islands Surfboards shapes boards for many of the world's best surfers. For more information, visit: www.cisurfboards.com.
About Burton:
In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards out of his Vermont barn. Since then, Burton has fueled the growth of snowboarding worldwide through its groundbreaking product lines, its grassroots efforts to get the sport accepted at resorts and its team of top snowboarders. In 1996, Burton began growing its family of brands to include board sports equipment and apparel brands. Privately held and owned by Jake, Burton's headquarters are in Burlington, Vermont with international offices in Innsbruck, Austria and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit www.burton.com.
2006 NSSA National Championships
By Chris Keet
What do you get when you add over 750 of the nations hottest amateur surfers into the high performance waves of Trestles reef in San Clemente? For most of us the answer is 'an extremely humbling experience'.
Carissa Moore continued her dominance in the girls division and walked away with her eighth and ninth National titles by taking victories in the Explorer Girls and Open Women's divisions.
Local shredder Conner Coffin who went into the Nationals as an underdog, took home the Open Boys title and in doing so is the first person from Santa Barbara to win an Open title since Bobby Martinez. Raised in the point breaks of Santa Barbara Coffin has always had a smooth and powerful style of surfing, perfectly suited to the Trestles peaks. The announcers spent most of the final raving about second place finisher Ezekiel Lau and third place finisher Kolohe Andino who were the favorites going into the event.
Coffin started the final off seven minutes in with an average wave score of a 4.5 on a mid size right. From there his counterparts continued scouring the line up, shredding any piece of a peak that came their way. In so doing they left Coffin alone on the outside patiently awaiting a set. With five minutes remaining in the heat Conner dropped in on a solid overhead left and spanked the lip twice with his backhand attack leaving the wave whimpering like a bad puppy. This set brought Coffin from sixth to second. With time winding down all competitors tried to make a final statement while coffin sneaked back outside. It seemed as though the final would be Lau’s as thirty seconds were left on the clock, however a few lumps ebbed on the outside. With fifteen seconds remaining with Lau in position for the right and Coffin in position for the left, the peak shifted and clearly became a superior left.
Coffin stroked hard and dropped in deep. As he reached the bottom he laid into a Pancho Sullivan style bottom turn and hit the lip straight up in the critical section of the wave, and then followed it up with another six solid turns to the beach. The Santa Barbara contingent exploded as Coffin only needed a 6.5 to take the lead. As the announcers raved about how sick the wave was, Freestyle Watch Co. team manager Chad La Bass turned to me and said, “ where did he learn to surf backside like that coming from Santa Barbara?” Solid surfing and patience paid off and we expect Conner to continue to hold the local flag high as he continues to accumulate competitive accolades in the future.
Another top finisher from the area was Dylan Perillo who dominated the Open Juniors final. Patience paid off for Dylan as he was the last finalist to catch a wave. After dropping straight to the bottom of a solid overhead wave Perillo went into a committed top turn floater and after free falling back to the bottom, he threaded through three smooth off the lips to serve up a combo platter to his opponents, scoring a 9.0. He then waited for 10 minutes to catch a second scoring wave which he stoked into with only 30 seconds remaining. His smooth and deceptively powerful style made it look almost too easy as he took the lip off of the wave with his first turn, followed by two more lip bashes to capture the final.
Special thanks to Janice Aragon and Gayline Clifford and all of the NSSA staff for running such an awesome event! For more photos and a complete write up and results log onto nssa.org.
Posted July 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Environmental News
The Surfer’s Path Magazine’s 1st Annual
Green Wave Awards: The Winners
Is surfing really ‘at one with nature’?
New York and London (June 9, 2006) – The latest issue of THE SURFER’S PATH magazine, hitting the shelves and doorsteps now, announces the winners of the 1st Annual Green Wave Awards, for excellence and achievement in promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness in the surfing world.
Winners include a small surfboard company in the UK dedicated to manufacturing boards “made entirely from natural materials”; relief organizations that helped survivors after the 2004 tsunami and continue to offer crucial medical help to people in the remote, surf-blessed islands of Indonesia; a leading US outdoor clothing brand that incorporates environmental and social responsibility into its every fiber; and individuals who have helped save whole stretches of coastline and ensure cleaner seas for millions of people.
“Surfing involves an intimate relationship with raw, dynamic nature,” said Alex Dick-Read, founding editor of The Surfer’s Path. “The essence of our sport is to be ‘at one’ with the power of the ocean. Yet many of the products and processes we surfers rely on contribute to the damage being done to the atmosphere, the oceans, and the coastlines of the world. These awards aim to highlight the numerous positive moves within our surfing sphere towards making surfing a clean, sustainable and beneficial activity.”
A year ago readers of The Surfer’s Path were invited to nominate inspiring surf-related organizations, companies, or individuals in any of these categories: Surfboard Manufacturing Companies, Surf Apparel Companies, Surf Accessory Companies, Surf Travel Companies, Surf-related Nonprofit Organizations, Surf-related Media & Publishing Entities, Individuals Who Surf, and an annual grand-prize winner: The Emerald Path Award.
Winners were chosen from the hundreds of nominees sent in by readers. “The response to this was really quite incredible,” said the magazine’s US Editor, Drew Kampion. “The scope of surfers’ efforts for the environment and the planet is enormous, and gaining momentum all the time. While it was tough to single out winners, we feel the results reflect the exceptional efforts of the many organizations, individuals, and companies which understand our the world’s desperate need for sustainable human lifestyles, especially among surfers.”
The prestigious overall prize, the Emerald Path Award, is shared between the UK’s Chris Hines, now Sustainability Director of the Eden Project and formerly founding director of Surfers Against Sewage, and Glenn Hening, a California academic and visionary in the surfing world who co-founded the powerful US coastal protection body, Surfrider Foundation, and now heads up the Groundswell Society.
The Green Wave and Emerald Path awards include commendations featuring the work of celebrated California surf artist Rick Reitveld.
“These awards will happen annually because we want to continue to highlight the positive efforts of the surfing community, to keep the pressure on our own ‘tribe’ and our industry, and to spread the word that surfing really can and should be at one with nature,” said Kampion.
The Green Wave Awards are a presentation by the editors of The Surfer’s Path in conjunction with Permanent Publishing and SustainAbility. For more information, visit: www.surferspath.com/greenwave and www.sustainability.com
The Surfer’s Pathis the world’s only truly “gree