HOBIE TO HONOR VELZY

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

When it comes to the Mount Rushmore of surfboard shaping, Hobie Alter and Dale Velzy would surely deserve to have their likenesses carved in granite.

During their time on this beautiful blue planet, both men contributed mightily to the evolution of surfboard design, construction, and business.

In the 1960s, Velzy and Alter created two of the most successful surfboard businesses, literally creating an industry in their wake. Occasional rivals, the two men’s personalities couldn’t have been more different.

Alter was quieter, inquisitive, and more methodical. Velzy was brash, bombastic, and most definitely not afraid to speak his mind. After long, well-lived lives, Velzy passed in 2005, followed by Alter in 2014.

A celebration of the legacy of both men is coming to Dana Point on Sunday, July 23, with the Hobie Vintage Surfboard Fest honoring Velzy. Recently, the team at Hobie has been recreating some of Velzy’s most iconic surfboard models, and if you haven’t had a chance to see them, you need to swing by the shop and check them out.

Presented by the Vintage Surfboard Collectors Club, the event runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will take place in La Plaza Park between the Hobie Surfboards surf shop and Hennessy’s Tavern. There will be an array of vintage surfboards

from a host of collectors on display, as well as several classic cars and live music, courtesy the Bent Duo.

The band will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.—and like the new Velzy boards at Hobie, you’re going to want to check them out.

Regarding Velzy and Dana Point, the REDO Vintage & Maker’s Market is broadening its scope this summer with the firstof-its-kind REDO Market Surf Auction.

Full transparency, yours truly has been helping produce the auction, and one of the things that we’re most excited about is the inclusion of Velzy’s personal cowboy hat and bolo tie. Worn by the man himself when he was living the cowboy life, and holding court at the Swallow’s Inn, it’s a real piece of surf history.

The REDO Market Surf Auction will take place online. Bidding opens on July 28 and ends on Aug. 5.

Besides Velzy’s hat and tie, other notable lots include an original edition of A.R. Gurrey’s 1914 surf book, The Surf Riders of Hawaii, which has sold for $35,000 in the past, as well as original art from Rick Griffin and John Severson, and heaps of other vintage clothing, art and artifacts.

There are some truly one-of-a-kind items coming up for sale; check it out at redomarket.com.

Back to Hobie, the shop keeps the good times rolling this summer with a couple other can’t-miss events.

On Aug. 12, South Africa’s Christ Bertish

BY JAKE HOWARD

A month or two ago, a parent reached out to me asking what they could do to help their child be successful in surfing. At the top of my list was to get an education. Surf careers last only so long; intelligence is transcendent.

On that note, a huge congratulations to Kirra Stacy and Charlie Denham, who have been named 2023 NSSA Surfer/Scholars of the Year.

An integral member of the San Clemente High School surf team, Stacy finished the school year with a remarkable 4.83 GPA. To be honest, I don’t even know how someone does that, but the Stacy family is special like that.

Meanwhile, Denham earned a 4.40 GPA from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.

To balance a sport like surfing, which de- mands chasing waves up and down the coast, along with early-morning surf team practices and a commitment that borders on obsessive while also excelling in the classroom, is something truly special.

Undoubtedly, when they finally hang up their competitive jerseys, Stacy and Denham will be leading the surf industry to loftier heights.

As an old lifeguard once told me, “It’s a dumb son of a gun that doesn’t learn something new every day.” Just like pushing boundaries in the water, never stop challenging your mind. SC will share his experiences of stand-up paddling across the entire Atlantic Ocean. The solo journey took him 93 days, and he undoubtedly has some harrowing stories to tell.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.

Up next on Aug. 17, local surf hero Andy Nieblas and artist Andy Davis will be at the Hobie shop to present their new surf movie. The two creative minds also linked up to collaborate on boardshorts for Quiksilver, “Andy y Andy.”

For more than three quarters of a century, the legends of Hobie and Velzy have loomed large over this area, and it’s amazing to see the two luminaries still just as relevant and just as important as ever. Tip of the cap to the crew at Hobie for keeping the good times rolling and the Vintage Surfboard Collectors Club for bringing history to life.

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for several publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

Water Temperature: 65-67 Degrees

Water Visibility: 10-12’

Thursday: Slow rising mix of fresh S swell and NW swell, puts most spots in thigh to waist high waves, (2-3’), while top breaks hit chest high, (4’). Winds are light/variable early morning, then light+ onshore mid day through the afternoon.

Outlook: Swell combo is up a notch on Friday, for thigh to stomach high surf, (2-3’+), at good exposures as standouts see shoulder high waves, (4’+). Surf slowly tapers off over the weekend, with most spots back in thigh to waist high waves, (2-3’), by Sunday. For Friday and the weekend, the pattern of light/ variable early morning winds, followed by a light+ to periodically moderate afternoon sea breeze continues.