Drop Zone May 2012

Page 1

MAY 2012

MAY 2012

4

Body Glove president Robbie Meistrell approached the Redondo City Council three years ago with a proposal to convert the city’s troubled Seaside Lagoon into an aquatics center. The saltwater pool in King Harbor was loosing $200,000 a \HDU DQG IDFLQJ PRXQWLQJ Ă€QHV IRU SROOXWLRQ A wave machine was to be the main attraction.With a wave machine, Redondo could host professional and high school surf contests, offer surf lessons and burnish Redondo’s legacy as the city where Hawaiian George Freeth taught Californians to surf in the early 1900s, Meistrell told the city council. Councilmembers loved the idea, but took no action. Meistrell’s dream of a wave machine in Redondo Beach might have ended that night, had a Manhattan Beach resident Nancy McFarland not mailed an Easy Reader newspaper with a story about the council meeting to her son in San Diego. The son was Bruce McFarland, founder of American Wave Machines. 0F)DUODQG JUHZ XS VXUĂ€QJ LQ 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK ZKHUH KH DWWHQGHG 0LUD &RVWD High School with Robbie Meistrell’s younger cousin Billy. Like every South Bay surfer, he knew the story of the Meistrell cousins’ legendary dads, Bob and %LOO 7KH WZLQ EURWKHUV ZHUH PHPEHUV RI ERWK WKH GLYLQJ DQG VXUĂ€QJ KDOOV RI IDPH 7KH\ RZQHG 'LYH 1¡ 6XUI $PHULFD¡V ROGHVW GLYH VKRS DQG ZHUH WKH Ă€UVW WR PDQXIDFWXUH QHRSUHQH ZHWVXLWV ZKLFK OHG WR WKH H[SORVLRQ RI VXUĂ€QJ¡V SRSXODULW\ E\ PDNLQJ VXUĂ€QJ SRVVLEOH \HDU URXQG ´:KHQ PRP VHQW WKH DUWLFOH , WKRXJKW WR P\VHOI Âś,¡YH JRW WR FDOO WKHVH JX\V , KDYHQ¡W WDONHG WR WKHP VLQFH KLJK VFKRRO ¡¾ McFarland recalled. That phone call led to McFarland inviting Robbie Meistrell to visit the Sandals Resort in Turks and Caicos, where American Wave Machines KDG UHFHQWO\ LQVWDOOHG LWV Ă€UVW 6XUI6WUHDP VWDQGLQJ ZDYH PDFKLQH 0HLVWUHOO VDLG WKH WULS UHLJQLWHG KLV HQWKXVLDVP IRU ZDYH PDFKLQHV ´0\ NLGV DQG , VSHQW VL[ GD\V GLYLQJ LQ WKH PRUQLQJ DQG VXUĂ€QJ LQ WKH DIWHUQRRQ 7KH UHDOO\ FRRO SDUW RI Bruce’s wave machine was that when you’re waiting in line, you’re 10 feet away IURP WKH SHRSOH ZKR DUH VXUĂ€QJ <RX¡UH JHWWLQJ VSUD\HG DQG HYHU\RQH¡V KRRWLQJ DQG KROOHULQJ Âľ 0HLVWUHOO VDLG Shortly after returning from Turks and Caicos, Meistrell was named American Wave Machine’s chairman of the board. Meistrell’s and McFarland’s shared enthusiasm for wave machines have different origins, but a difference that may account for the success of their partnership. 0HLVWUHOO Ă€UVW VXUIHG D QRQ RFHDQ ZDYH LQ WKH HDUO\ V ZKHQ KH DQG KLV brothers traveled to a standing wave on the Snake River called Lunch Counter, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming $ GHFDGH ODWHU DV RZQHU RI WKH %XG /LJKW 3URIHVVLRQDO 6XUĂ€QJ WRXU KH PDGH WKH controversial decision to add a Palm Springs wave park to the pro tour schedule. ´7KH ZDYHV ZHUHQ¡W JUHDW 7KH PDFKLQH SXPSHG RXW D WUDYHOLQJ ZDYH HYHU\ IHZ VHFRQGV WKDW ZDV PRUH VXLWDEOH IRU ERG\ERDUGLQJ WKDQ VXUĂ€QJ Âľ 0HLVWUHOO VDLG ´%XW ZKDW ZDV JUHDW ZDV WKH DXGLHQFH UHDFWLRQ )DQV FRXOG FKHHU RQ WKHLU VWDUV DQG WKH VXUIHUV FRXOG KHDU FKHHUV Âľ $W DQ RFHDQ VXUI FRQWHVW WKH VXUIHUV KDYH GLIĂ€FXOW\ HYHQ KHDULQJ WKH VWDUWLQJ horn. The action is generally so far from shore that fans have trouble distinguishing one contestant from another, even with their different colored singlets. 'HVSLWH VXUĂ€QJ¡V SRSXODULW\ IHZ VXUI FRPSHWLWLRQV DWWUDFW ODUJH QXPEHUV RI spectators, and those that do, such as the U.S Championships in Huntington Beach and the Triple Crown in Hawaii, don’t charge admission. ,Q D VXUI SDUN DWPRVSKHUH 0HLVWUHOO FRXOG HQYLVLRQ SHRSOH OLQLQJ XS WR EX\ WLFNHWV both to surf, and to watch their idols surf. McFarland, who made his own boards growing up, traced his interest in wave PDFKLQHV WR ZRUN KH GLG DW 75: RQ VDWHOOLWH IXHO WDQNV ´:DYHV IRUP LQ WKH WDQNV from the satellites spinning in space. We needed to understand how that affected WKH VWDELOLW\ RI WKH VDWHOOLWHV Âľ 0F)DUODQG VDLG McFarland worked at TRW for eight years, after having graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in engineering. Then he moved to San Diego to start an HQJLQHHULQJ FRQVXOWLQJ Ă€UP ´,Q DHURVSDFH , VDZ D ORW RI LGHDV WKDW FRXOG EH HPSOR\HG E\ VPDOO EXVLQHVVHV 6R , VWDUWHG ZRUNLQJ ZLWK FOLHQWV WR GHYHORS QHZ SURGXFWV Âľ KH VDLG One of those companies was working on a wave machine that could be installed DW DPXVHPHQW SDUNV DQG RQ FUXLVH VKLSV ´, ZRUNHG RQ WKHLU VXUI VLPXODWRU IRU \HDUV IURP WR $IWHU , OHIW , JRW WRJHWKHU ZLWK D +DZDLLDQ SDWHQW KROGHU ZKRVH ZDYH PDFKLQH ZDV LQVSLUHG E\ SHRSOH VXUĂ€QJ WKH :DLPHD ULYHU PRXWK $IWHU KH VKRZHG PH YLGHRV RI WKH VXUIHUV , OLFHQVHG KLV SDWHQW DQG ZHQW WR ZRUN WU\LQJ WR UHFUHDWH WKH :DLPHD ULYHU PRXWK SKHQRPHQRQ Âľ 0F)DUODQG VDLG Previously, most wave machines had been modeled on ocean waves, which jack up and pitch forward when they hit an obstacle. Surfers slide down the front face of the wave as it topples forward. Standing waves, like those at the Waimea river mouth and on the Snake River, jack up and then continuously reform in place. Surfers ride on the face of the

By: KEVIN CODY

A FORMER TRW ENGINEER AND CALIFORNIA’S FIRST FAMILY OF SURFING TEAM UP TO BRING SURFING ON SHORE

ZDYH RSSRVLWH WKH GLUHFWLRQ RI WKH Ă RZLQJ ZDWHU ZLWK WKH ZDWHU VWUHDPLQJ SDVW the rider. Both wave and rider stay in about the same place relative to the bottom. ,I WKH VWUHDP LV FKDQQHOHG E\ ODUJH REVWDFOHV D VWURQJ Ă RZ RI ZDWHU ZLOO FDXVH WKH wave to pitch forwards, forming a continuous barrel like that of a pitching ocean ZDYH 7KH =DPEL]HH ULYHU ZLWK LWV VRXUFH LQ =LPELD DQG HPSW\LQJ LQWR WKH ,QGLDQ Ocean, has a barreling wave at rapid number 11. The wave forming phenomenon can be observed by simply letting a hose run RQ WKH JURXQG 0F)DUODQG H[SODLQHG $V WKH Ă RZ RI ZDWHU VORZV LW QDWXUDOO\ IRUPV ZDYHV RU ZKDW 0F)DUODQG FDOOHG ´K\GUDXOLF MXPSV Âľ ´,W¡V OLNH D VRQLF boom. The water in front slows and the water behind it catches up, thickening WKH ZDWHU DQG IRUPLQJ D ZDYH Âľ ´%\ SXWWLQJ DQ REVWDFOH LQ WKH SDWK RI WKH Ă RZLQJ ZDWHU ZH FDQ FRQWURO ZKHUH WKH ZDYH IRUPV Âľ 0F)DUODQG VDLG Having surfers ride a standing wave, solved a list of problems that had long vexed wave machine makers. A standing wave requires a natural balance between water depth and speed of the stream. Slower deeper moving water uses less energy than having to pump water at high speeds. And because the wave is FRQVWDQW LW KDV QR Ă DW LQWHUYDOV DQG UHTXLUHV OHVV VSDFH WKDQ D WUDYHOLQJ ZDYH With adjustments to the steepness and angle of the obstacle, McFarland said he can modify the wave from a gentle slope to one steep enough to create a barrel. McFarland said his SurfStream design is distinguished from other standing wave machines by the fact that his waves break in water deep enough for surfers to ride FRQYHQWLRQDO VXUIERDUGV ZLWK Ă€QV DQG WR FXWEDFN DQG IRUWK DFURVV WKH IDFH RI WKH wave. McFarland said he also has a patent on a more costly, traveling wave machine, FDOOHG WKH 3HUIHFW6ZHOO 7KH Ă€UVW 3HUIHFW6ZHOO D VTXDUH IRRW LQVWDOODWLRQ is under construction near the Russian resort of Sochi, on the Black Sea, beneath the Caucasus Mountins. McFarland said the wave pool will be completed in time for the 2014 winter Olympics, which Sochi is hosting.

5REELH 0HLVWUHOO SXWWLQJ LQ VRPH 5 '

0F)DUODQG GLG EXLOG D WUDYHOLQJ ZDYH IRU WKH 1DWXUDO %DODQFH 3HW )RRGV Ă RDW in this year’s Rose Bowl Parade. Tillman the Bulldog rode the wave the length of WKH IRRW Ă RDW ZKLFK UHTXLUHG JDOORQV RI ZDWHU 7KH Ă RDW VHW D *XLQQHVV ZRUOG UHFRUG IRU WKH ORQJHVW DQG KHDYLHVW SDUDGH Ă RDW HYHU\ EXLOW McFarland’s newest standing wave machine is at the Ola Movistar Surf Arena outside of Lima Peru. Since its opening in last year, the arena has won praise from IRUPHU 3HUXYLDQ :RUOG &KDPSLRQ 6RĂ€D 0XODQRYLFK DQG WKH 3HUXYLDQ 1DWLRQDO Surf Team, as well as Body Glove team rider Cheyne Magnusson, who visited Peru with Meistrell and a Body Glove video team last month. (See accompanying story). Meistrell was even more impressed with Peruvian SurfStream than he was with WKH VPDOOHU RQH DW 6DQGDOV LQ 7XUNV DQG &DLFRV ´7KH Ă€UVW TXHVWLRQ D VXUIHU DVNV LV Âś&DQ , JHW EDUUHOHG ¡ $W WKH 3HUXYLDQ ZDYH PDFKLQH \RX FDQ 7KLV LV WKH RQO\ ZDYH PDFKLQH ,¡YH ULGGHQ WKDW IHHOV OLNH D UHDO ZDYH DQG WKDW \RX FDQ ULGH ZLWK D UHDO VXUIERDUG ,W¡V SHUIHFW IRU WUDLQLQJ Âľ 0HLVWUHOO VDLG 6XUĂ€QJ LV DQ H[FHHGLQJO\ GLIĂ€FXOW VSRUW WR OHDUQ 7KH UHDVRQ LV QRW WKDW WKH UHTXLUHG VNLOOV DUH VR GLIĂ€FXOW EXW EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH VR GLIĂ€FXOW WR SUDFWLFH +LWWLQJ D JROI EDOO VWUDLJKW RU KLWWLQJ D IDVWEDOO DW DOO DUH PRUH GLIĂ€FXOW WKDQ VWDQGLQJ RQ D wave. But a golfer can hit buckets of balls and a baseball player can practice in a batting cage for hours on end. A surfer can only practice at a beach, when there are waves. And even then, a novice is lucky to catch half a dozen waves in an hour RU WZR KRXU VHVVLRQ ,Q PRVW VSRUWV LPSURYHPHQW FDQ EH PHDVXUH ZHHNO\ LI QRW GDLO\ ,Q VXUĂ€QJ LPSURYHPHQW LV PHDVXUHG RYHU PRQWKV DQG \HDUV 0RVW VXUIHUV 5 Ă€QG LW WDNHV WZR \HDUV LQ WKH RFHDQ WR EH DEOH WR SDGGOH RXW FRQĂ€GHQW RI EHLQJ DEOH to catch waves. $ ZDYH PDFKLQH KROGV RXW WKH SURPLVH WR GR IRU VXUĂ€QJ ZKDW GULYLQJ UDQJHV GR for golfers and batting cages for baseball players. McFarland’s wave machines are not cheap. Costs, including property and MAY 2012

$QWKRQ\ :DOVK ÀRDWV RQH RYHU WKH WRS

C O N T. O N PA G E 6

C O N T. F R O M PA G E 5

DPHQLWLHV UDQJH IURP PLOOLRQ WR PLOOLRQ KH VDLG %XW WKH 6XUI6WUHDP LQ Peru and another at the Himlabadet Municipal Aquatic Sports and Spa Facility in 6XQGVYDOO 6ZHGHQ TXLFNO\ SURYHG SRSXODU DQG SURÀWDEOH 7KH QH[W 6XUI6WUHDP is planned for the Skyventure sky diving park in Nashua New Hampshire and will be a third larger than the Peru installation.the Himlabadet Municipal Aquatic Sports and Spa Facility in Sundsvall, Sweden Meistrell still dreams of building a wave machine in Redondo Beach, though not at the Seaside lagoon. Last December, he went before the Redondo City Council again, this time seeking approval to close the street in front of Dive N’ Surf. He wants to use the street, and property he owns across the street to expand his VKRS EXLOG D QHZ %RG\ *ORYH RIÀFH D QHZ SRRO IRU 6&8%$ LQVWUXFWLRQ DQG MXVW possibly a standing wave machine. Meistrell’s unwilling, just yet, to say the wave machine is going get built. But it’s apparent, in conversation, that he sees a certain inevitability in the company that developed the modern wetsuit partnering with the company that built the ÀUVW VXUIERDUG VXUIDEOH ZDYH PDFKLQH EULQJLQJ WR 5HGRQGR %HDFK WKH ÀUVW PDMRU DGYDQFHPHQW LQ VXUI LQVWUXFWLRQ VLQFH *HRUJH )UHHWK WDXJKW VXUÀQJ LQ IURQW RI WKH Redondo Plunge over 100 years ago. DZ

3$57< :$9(

-2+1 '(7(03/(

&+(<1( 0$*186621

By: &+(<1( 0$*186621

MAY 2012

6

, KDG QHYHU WDNHQ D VXUI WULS WR D SRRO EHIRUH 8VXDOO\ , DP JRLQJ WR VRPH UHPRWH LVODQG ZKHUH \RX¡UH OXFN\ WR KDYH D VKRZHU WR ULQVH RII LQ ,¡P DOVR XVHG WR SHRSOH \HOOLQJ DW PH WR ´JHW WKDW VXUIERDUG RXWWD WKH SRRO QR KRUVHSOD\ Âľ 7KDW ZDV QRW WKH ZKHQ P\ EXGG\ $QWKRQ\ :DOVK DQG , ZHQW WR D SRRO LQ 3HUX :KHQ , WKLQN RI 3HUX , WKLQN RI OODPDV EDUUHOLQJ OHIWV DQG 0DFFKX 3LFFX :HOO , ZDV FRPSOHWHO\ RII EDVH , GLGQ¡W VHH RQH OODPD WKH EHVW ZDYH ZH VXUIHG ZDV D ULJKW DQG WKH FORVHVW , JRW WR 0DFFKX 3LFFX ZDV LQ D GUHDP , KDG DIWHU VWD\LQJ RXW way too late one night in the town of Pulpo. The coast of Peru is a desert. High VDQG GXQHV DQG YROFDQLF URFN VWUHWFK DV IDU DV WKH H\H FDQ VHH ,W ORRNHG QRWKLQJ OLNH WKH OXVK MXQJOH , ZDV SLFWXULQJ LQ P\ KHDG ,W VXUH LV EHDXWLIXO WKRXJK ,PDJLQH LI WKHUH ZDV DQ RFHDQ WKDW FROOLGHG ZLWK WKH GHVHUW KLOOV ZH DOO KDYH VHHQ on the drive to Las Vegas. ,W¡V DOVR YHU\ KRW OLNH JHWWLQJ VXQ EXUQW WKURXJK VXQVFUHHQ WR WKH SRLQW RI SHHOLQJ KRW 6R EULQJ \RXU 63) NLGV ,I \RX ZDQW DPD]LQJ ZDYHV DQG DQ amazing suntan, Peru is for you. The only thing better than the vistas and the ´WRSV RIIÂľ ZHDWKHU LV WKH SHRSOH Our guides on this South American jaunt were two hombres named Rodrigo, and Guillermo. They have some pretty funny accents and they are always smiling. 7KHVH JX\V OLYH HDW DQG EUHDWKH VXUĂ€QJ :KHQ ZH ZHUHQ¡W VKUHGGLQJ WKH ZDYHV in the ocean we were shredding the waves in their wave pool. Sometimes the shredding didn’t stop until 10 at night, because the wave pool is has stadium lighting. After that, we would go shred the nightlife of Peru until the wee hours RI WKH PRUQLQJ /HW¡V SXW LW WKLV ZD\ , ZDV LQ 3HUX IRU WZR GD\V DQG WZR QLJKWV WRWDO DQG , VXUIHG ERWK GD\V DOO GD\ DQG ZDWFKHG WKH VXQ FRPH XS WZLFH 7KHVH JX\V ZHUH DZHVRPH DOO ZH GLG ZDV VXUI DQG SDUW\ WKHQ ULQVH DQG UHSHDW ,W¡V D OLIHVW\OH %XW , GLJUHVV This was no ordinary pool, mind you. This was a state of the art American Wave

0DFKLQHV 6XUI6WUHDP WKDW FUHDWHV D IRXU WR Ă€YH IRRW KLJK HQGOHVV ZDYH WKDW FDQ EH ULGGHQ RQ D QRUPDO VXUIERDUG ZLWK Ă€QV 8QOLNH LWV SUHGHFHVVRUV WKH VNLPPLQJ machines in amusement parks, which can only be ridden on edgy boards with QR Ă€QV WKLV PDFKLQH VKRRWV ZDWHU RXW WKDW LV DERXW D IRRW DQG D KDOI GHHS DQG FRPSOHWHO\ FKDQJHV WKH JDPH LQ ZDYH PDFKLQHV ,W¡V WKH FORVHVW WKLQJ WR UHDO VXUĂ€QJ \HW There are four variations with this machine, but for this trip they were RSHUDWLQJ MXVW WZR WKH VPDOO VXUI ´WUDLQHUÂľ DQG WKH ELJ EDUUHO 7KH VPDOO RQH LV what you learn on and its very user friendly and maybe one of the most addicting WKLQJV ,¡YH HYHU GRQH <RX FDQ GR WXUQV DQG VSUD\ \RXU IULHQGV DQG HYHQ JHW D couple people going at the same time with no worries. Falling on the small one is half the fun. 7KH ELJ RQH RQ WKH RWKHU KDQG LV D OLWWOH LQWLPLGDWLQJ ,W ORRNV H[DFWO\ OLNH D FKHVW KLJK ZDYH DQG SDFNV PXFK PRUH RI D SXQFK WKDQ WKH VPDOO RQH ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV IDOOLQJ LV QRW IXQ , ZRUH D KHOPHW 7KH ELJ RQH RIIHUV PXFK PRUH SRWHQWLDO LQ WKH UHDOP RI WULFNV DQG WXUQV DQG KLJK SHUIRUPDQFH VXUĂ€QJ :LWK D OLWWOH WLPH , ZDV able to pull off a front side air and Anthony was throwing up some solid backside KDFNV :H URGH WKH WKLQJ IRU KRXUV DQG KRXUV DQG LW QHYHU JRW ROG ,Q IDFW WKH\ KDG WR VKXW LW GRZQ EHIRUH ZH ZRXOG VWRSSHG ,I RQH RI WKHVH PDFKLQHV H[LVWHG VRPHZKHUH QHDU P\ KRPH , ZRXOG ULGH LW HYHU\GD\ 6R KRXUV RI Ă \LQJ D EUXLVHG KLS DQG D PDVVLYH KDQJRYHU ODWHU DQG ZH ZHUH EDFN LQ WKH VWDWHV 7KH ZDYHV ZHUH Ă DW ZKHQ ZH JRW KRPH DQG WKH RQO\ WKLQJ WR VXUI ZDV WKH ,QWHUQHW RU D FRXFK ,I RQO\ WKHUH ZDV D ZDYH PDFKLQH KHUH LQ WKH 6RXWK %D\ WKHQ LW ZRXOG QHYHU JR Ă DW ,W ZDV EOHVVLQJ LQ GLVJXLVH WKRXJK EHFDXVH ORUG NQRZV , QHHGHG VRPH VKXWH\H :H JDYH LW KHOO GRZQ WKHUH DQG GLG DV PXFK DV WZR SHRSOH FRXOG GR LQ KRXUV , GLGQ¡W VHH D OODPD RU 0DFFKX 3LFFX EXW WKDW RQO\ PHDQV RQH WKLQJ , KDYH WR JR EDFN WR 3HUX DZ

&$/,)251,$Âś6 0$*,&$/ 0$5,1( 35(6(59(6 By: -HDQ 0LFKHO &RXVWHDX President of Ocean Futures Society

7R FHOHEUDWH WKH ULFK UHVRXUFHV IRXQG LQ RXU QDWLRQDO PDULQH VDQFWXDULHV , DP happy to announce publication of Explore the West Coast National Marine 6DQFWXDULHV ZLWK -HDQ 0LFKHO &RXVWHDX 7KH ERRN H[SORUHV WKH Ă€YH 1DWLRQDO Marine Sanctuaries off the California, Oregon and Washington coasts. 7KLV LV WKH VHFRQG RI IRXU ERRNV WR EH SXEOLVKHG RQ WKH 1DWLRQDO 0DULQH 6DQFWXDULHV 0\ IDWKHU -DFTXH &RXVWHDX XVH WR DOZD\V VD\ ´3HRSOH SURWHFW ZKDW WKH\ ORYH Âľ 7R KLV ZRUGV , ZRXOG DGG ´+RZ FDQ ZH SURWHFW ZKDW ZH GR QRW IXOO\ understand. The new marine parks plan will be good for people and sea life. To those who ZRUU\ DERXW ORVW Ă€VKLQJ JURXQGV , VD\ WKHUH FDQ EH QR Ă€VKLQJ ZLWKRXW Ă€VK 0DULQH SURWHFWHG DUHDV SURWHFW WKH IXWXUH RI WKH Ă€VKLQJ EXVLQHVV California dove enthusiastically into ocean conservation in recent years with the adoption of a network of coastal reserves, from the Oregon to the Mexican borders. The reserves have given me hope that future generations will be able to H[SHULHQFH GLYLQJ DPRQJ WKH JLDQW NHOS IRUHVWV RII RXU &DOLIRUQLD FRDVW DV , GLG RQ P\ Ă€UVW GLYH DIWHU P\ IDWKHU¡V SDVVLQJ LQ

“Here, in the bright sunlight, the garibaldi were like festive candles‌â€? MAY 2012

, UHPHPEHUHG WKDW GLYH DW $QDFDSD ,VODQG D SDUW RI WKH &KDQQHO ,VODQGV 1DWLRQDO Park and National Marine Sanctuary, as if it was just yesterday. The sun’s rays were shining through an unusual opening in the kelp, lighting up a small patch of sand, like a spotlight on an empty stage. All around me there were garibaldi, WKH EULJKWO\ FRORUHG GDPVHO ÀVK QDWLYH WR WKH DUHD ,Q QRUPDO OLJKW JDULEDOGL DUH a fantastic, shimmering orange. But here, in this bright sunlight, they were like IHVWLYH FDQGOHV DQQRXQFLQJ VRPH XQGHUZDWHU ÀHVWD :KDW FRXOG , GR EXW IROORZ WKHVH SOD\IXO FDUURW FRORUHG ÀVK WR WKH VDQG\ ERWWRP" :KDW FRXOG , GR EXW JLYH P\VHOI RYHU WR WKHLU VZHHW DOOXUH" , GURSSHG WR P\ NQHHV DQG ZDV RYHUFRPH ZLWK HPRWLRQ ,W ZDV DOPRVW P\VWLFDO , KDG EHHQ WKLQNLQJ of my father, of course, and now it felt as if he was here with me, on this sunVSODVKHG RFHDQ à RRU For more information about my series on marine preserves visit oceanfutures.org. DZ

7

Grand Prize winner Dan Connell at the Redondo Breakwater. Photo by Randy Ruby

Finalist Angelo Luhrsen at the Redondo Breakwater. Photo by Brent Broza

Finalist Derek Levy at Redondo Breakwater. Photo by Nicole Bergesch

SOUTH BAY

All photos taken Friday, January 6, 2012.

Finalist Matt Parker at Hammerland. Photo by Brent Broza

Finalist Tyler Hatzikian at Hammerland. Photo by Brent Broza

&267$ %$*6 %5$**,1* 5,*+76

1. Dickie O’Reilly, Mira Costa 2. Jex McCartney, Redondo 3. Ty Cukr, Mira Costa.

By: 0$5. &2/( 4. Chris Frohoff, Mira Costa. 5. Mira Costa surf team, distracted by an intruder. 7KH ÀUVW RI ZKDW RUJDQL]HUV SURPLVH ZLOO EH DQ DQQXDO FRPSHWLWLRQ SLWWLQJ VXUI WHDP DOXPQL IURP 0LUD &RVWD DQG 5HGRQGR KLJK VFKRROV ZDV KHOG 6DWXUGD\ $SULO LQ FOHDQ WZR WR WKUHH foot surf on the south side of the Hermosa Beach pier. )RXU VXUIHUV IURP HDFK VFKRRO IDFHG RII LQ WZR KRXU ORQJ KHDWV IROORZHG E\ D ÀQDOV 0LUD &RVWD MXPSHG RXW WR DQ HDUO\ OHDG EXW 5HGRQGR QDUURZHG WKH JDS GXULQJ WKH ÀQDOV WKDQNV WR WKH IDFW WKDW ÀQDOV· VFRUHV FRXQWHG DV GRXEOH SRLQWV 0LUD &RVWD KHOG RQ WR ZLQ WR 7KH HYHQW ZDV RUJDQL]HG E\ $ 0 , 3URGXFWLRQV· -DQL /DQJH RI 5HGRQGR DQG 6S\GHU 6XUI·V Dickie O’Reilly of Mira Costa as a fundraiser for their schools’ surf teams. DZ

6. Davey Latter, Redondo. 7. Jamie Meistrell, Redondo 8. Richard Silva, Redondo 9. Matt Singley, Mira Costa 10. Redondo surf team.

WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION REPORT By: -,0 0,//(5

0$5,1( 3$8/ 0\ IDWKHU VHUYHG LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWH 1DY\ IURP WKH LQFHSWLRQ RI :RUOG :DU ,, DQG for a distinguished career thereafter. He did not spent much time talking about war stories, and to the extent he did, the stories were history, seeming to me to be far in the distance. But now, working with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation’s (JMMF) Ocean Therapy program for the Wounded Warrior Battalion-West at Camp Pendleton, we hear a lot of war stories. They are fresh in the telling. The wounds are new; the healing only having just begun when we meet the Marines ZKR MRLQ RXU SURJUDP ,W LV D WKHUDS\ SURJUDP DIWHU DOO DQG WKHUDS\ LV VXSSRVHG to lead to open discussion, and the discussion to help in the recovery. But if you’ve never listened before, you’ve never observed before, meeting our brave Marines with fresh wounds and devastating injuries is a life changing experience for both the wounded and their new friends. And it is an inspiring experience because overriding all the wounds and injuries is the remarkable determination and the fervent desire to recover and rehabilitate. Sometimes words don’t tell the story. That’s the case with Marine Paul. He joined 2FHDQ 7KHUDS\ WKUHH \HDUV DJR 2XU WKHUDS\ DW LWV FRUH LV EDVHG RQ VXUÀQJ 2XU volunteers are mostly surfers and lifeguards and beach people, working as a team

SURF TIPS By: &KULV %URZQ

MAY 2012

14 7ZR WLPH 8 6 2SHQ 6XUÂżQJ &KDPSLRQ %UHWW 6LPSVRQ GHVFULEHG WKLV 7RUUDQFH %HDFK ZDYH RQ 6XUĂ€LQH FRP DV ÂłRQH RI WKH KHDYLHVW ZDYHV ,ÂśYH VXUIHG LQ &DOL ,W GHIQLQWHO\ KDG D ORW RI SXQFK DQG WKHUH VRPH UHDOO\ JRRG ZDYHV FRPLQJ WKURXJK .LQGD JDYH PH D OLWWOH IHHO RI 2II WKH :DOO %XW DW OHDVW \RX NQHZ WKHUH ZDV VDQG WKHUH ´ 3KRWR E\ %UDG -DFREVRQ

with our professional staff of occupational, physical and psychological therapists. We work our program on the beach and in the surf at a spot called DMJs. The surfers all know it — Del Mar Jetty, on the very south end of the Camp Pendleton base. The walk from the parking lot is a couple of hundred yards across the sand. 7KDW Ă€UVW WLPH 0DULQH 3DXO DSSURDFKHG RXU JURXS DW WKH ZDWHU¡V HGJH KH VWUXJJOHG toward us on crutches, dragging both legs. We rushed to help him through the VDQG +H GLGQ¡W ZDQW DQ\ KHOS ,I KH ZDV JRLQJ WR VXUI KH¡G EHWWHU EH DEOH WR JHW WR WKH VXUI +LV OHIW OHJ EHORZ WKH NQHH ZDV XVHOHVVÂłKLV ZRUG ´XVHOHVV Âľ ,W KDG QR IHHOLQJ QR DELOLW\ WR RUGHU LWV PRYHPHQW ,W GDQJOHG OLIHOHVV 7KDW GD\ 0DULQH 3DXO VXUIHG ,W WRRN Ă€YH YROXQWHHUV WR SODFH KLP RQ WKH ERDUG push him out through the waves, turn the board, and then guide him into some small white water. He felt the surge of the water and the force of the wave. He raised himself up on his elbows. He surfed, and he smiled, and he was stoked. Marine Paul has been a steady participant in Ocean Therapy ever since. He’s gone through some ups and downs. He talks a lot now. He shares his joy of the ocean with us. And he shares his continuing challenges. Last month Paul came down to the ocean side again. He was once again on crutches. This time he dragged his one leg behind him. His left leg below the knee had been amputated. The stump of leg was wrapped in bandages. He couldn’t go in the water. The ZRXQGV IURP WKH VXUJHU\ ZRXOG KDYH WR KHDO Ă€UVW %XW 0DULQH 3DXO ZDV WKHUH for the therapy, the discussion, the healing. And he’ll be back in the water soon. He’s looking forward to it because, as he has explained to everyone sitting around our talking circle -- what the Marines have named the Kumbaya session — the next time Paul won’t have to contend with a useless leg. He will have a QHZ VWDWH RI WKH DUW ZDWHU FRPSDWLEOH DUWLĂ€FLDO OLPE +H ZLOO EH DEOH WR VWDQG up on the surf board. The healing waves of Mother Ocean will crash all around him. We all will be stoked. DZ The best surfers are also the best at reading ocean conditions. Deciphering the ever-changing variables of tide, wind and swell is an art form that is acquired over time. However, if you have a basic understanding of our local breaks, it can make it HDVLHU IRU \RX WR Ă€QG JRRG ZDYHV 7R KHOS \RX RQ \RXU TXHVW ,¡YH LQFOXGHG JHQHUDO characteristics of our nearby spots: El Porto: ´3RUWRÂľ LV XVXDOO\ D IRRW RU WZR ELJJHU WKDQ VXUURXQGLQJ EHDFKHV EHFDXVH of a submarine canyon and an outer reef system that focuses swells here. Waves tend to break further off the beach and it is common to see strong riptides. These rips often FUHDWH GHHS VSRWV LQ WKH RFHDQ Ă RRU ZKLFK FDQ OHDG WR JUHDW VXUĂ€QJ FRQGLWLRQV (O 3RUWR DOVR ERDVWV D ODUJH VZHOO ZLQGRZ (YHU\WKLQJ IURP D GHJUHH VRXWK WR D degree Northwest can get in here, making it one of the most consistent and crowded spots on the coast. Parking also draws the crowd Manhattan Beach: North Manhattan breaks similarly to El Porto, but is usually a touch smaller. However, the lack of parking means it’s often easier to get good, uncrowded waves. The coastline bends slightly to the south around Marine Street, making this stretch of beach more south-facing thus a bit smaller on a northwest swell, but bigger than nearby beaches on a south swell. Hermosa Beach: 7KH 3DORV 9HUGHV SHQLQVXOD DQG &DWDOLQD ,VODQG EORFN PRVW VRXWK swells from getting into this stretch of beach. Waves here tend to break closer to shore and pack a lot of punch. The area from north of the pier to about 24th Street has an outer reef system that focuses swells from the northwest. The biggest of those swells will actually break on the outer reef, called Cable Cars, about one-third of a mile offshore. Unfortunately, the typical beach break waves are often walled, so it’s best when there is some type of short period energy breaking up the lines. Burnout/The Avenues: The waves here break very close to shore and feature quick, intense rides. Accordingly, it’s common to see more body boarders in this area than any other spot in the South Bay. Generally, it is smaller here than neighboring beaches, but on a big, northwest swell this area can be all-time. Topaz loves a big northwest with a touch of wind swell and Burnout can transform to big, heavy barrels on a solid winter swell. Pros from other areas have been known to travel here when the conditions are right. Happy hunting, Chris Brown is the executive director of Campsurf. For more information visit campsurf.com. DZ

3$/$8

By: '$9( -(16(1

',9,1* :257+ 7+( 75,3

PHOTO BY: DAVE JENSEN

,I \RX DUH D GLYHU DQG KDYH UHDG UHYLHZV DQG DUWLFOHV RI WKH WRS WHQ SODFHV WR GLYH then Palau has been on the list. These groups of islands are part of Micronesia. Traveling to Palau from Los Angeles is quite an endeavor. Fly from L.A. to Honolulu to Guam then just a few hours south to arrive in Palau. This is just under a day’s travel. At this point you are exhausted and only want to sleep in a bed rather than a seat on an airplane. As sleep begins to overtake your body, the mind UDFHV DQG ZRQGHUV LI WKH WULS ZDV ZRUWK LW 7KH DQVZHU LV <(6 Arising the next morning, grab your gear, have a quick bite to eat and wait on the dock of the hotel for the boat to pick you up. After situating the dive gear you are RII WR WKH Ă€UVW GLYH VLWH $V WKH ERDW UDFHV WR WKH VLWH DFURVV WKH ZDWHU \RX EHJLQ WR feel thirsty. The water is clean and clear and so inviting, one is tempted to jump over the boat and begin diving. 7KH GLYH VLWHV IRU WKH GD\ DUH ´6DLHV 7XQQHOÂľ DQG ´8ORQJ &KDQQHO Âľ 7KH ZDUPWK RI WKH ZDWHU RYHUFRPHV \RX DV \RX VORZO\ GHVFHQG WDNLQJ LQ WKH FRORUV RI WKH Ă€VK

and the clarity of the water. Swim through the tunnel and come out the other side, PHVPHUL]HG E\ WKH YLVLELOLW\ RI WKH ZDWHU DW IVZ WKH VXUIDFH DSSHDUV DV WKRXJK it was mere inches away. During a surface interval while eating lunch on a picturesque white sand beach, the group discusses the marine life, and searches for the black banded sea snake the nests in the rocks while waiting for the next dive. Ulong Channel is akin to a roller coaster ride depending on the tide. This dive can EHJLQ DW WZR GLIIHUHQW SRLQWV HLWKHU DW ´%OXH +ROHVÂľ RU ´%OXH &RUQHU Âľ 7KHVH WZR VLWHV DUH FORVH HQRXJK WR OHW WKH FXUUHQW FDUU\ \RX WKURXJK WKH GHJUHH ZDWHU from one site to the next. Entering the mouth of the channel the current is ripping DQG PHWDSKRULFDOO\ RQH KROGV RQWR WKHLU SDQWV DQG HQMR\V WKH ULGH 8VLQJ Ă€QV WR guide you through the water you will pass over coral reefs with different colors RI DQHPRQH ERZOV ZLWK D YDULHW\ RI FORZQ Ă€VK LQ HDFK ERZO 6SRWWLQJ WXUWOHV VKDUNV EDUUDFXGD DQG PRUH Ă€VK WKDQ \RX FDQ EHOLHYH ,W LV DQ RYHUORDG RI RFHDQ eye candy. The entire week is phenomenal, full of wonderful experiences from learning the KLVWRU\ RI 3HOHOLX WR VZLPPLQJ ZLWK WKH MHOO\Ă€VK DW ´-HOO\Ă€VK /DNHÂľ VHHLQJ WKH Nautiluses on the reef that live in 1000fsw, and brought to the surface for the divers to view. As the week comes to a close, you bid farewell to Palau. The next VWRS LV <DS DZ

MAY 2012

0DQGDULQ ÂżVK OXUNLQJ DERXW WKH VKDOORZV

15

The numbers and abilities of high school female surfers is catching up with the guys Photos by Dave Gregerson

7KH KLJK VFKRRO VXUI VHDVRQ SURGXFHG WKH GHHSHVW PRVW WDOHQWHG DQG \RXQJHVW JURXS RI JLUOV LQ WKH \HDU KLVWRU\ RI WKH 6RXWK %D\ 6XUI /HDJXH 6XUĂ€QJ is unique in high school varsity sports in being truly co-ed. The girls’ events (short and long board) count for 40 percent of contest points, the same as the boys’. The open co-ed bodyboarding division accounts for the remaining 20 percent. The South Bay Surf League has always had some outstanding female surfers, the most notable being Peninsula High’s Holly Beck and Natalie Anzivino, who attended both Peninsula and South High. Other notable female surfers from recent years include Maddie Hawks, Carrie Kintz, Ashley Kelsey, Kelly Moore, Hannah 6WLOHV DQG /LVD 7XWWOH %XW XQWLO UHFHQWO\ HYHQ WKH WRS SURJUDPV KDG GLIĂ€FXOW\ Ă€OOLQJ DOO WKHLU JLUO KHDW SRVLWLRQV %XW QRW WKLV \HDU ZKHQ WKH QXPEHU RI JLUOV DQG WKHLU level of performance improved dramatically. Jordon Wible and Rachael Tominaga from Mira Costa and Jessica Dustin and Jessie Rowan from Palos Verdes now all have league titles already and will be returning for at least two more years. The underclass girls right behind them also are prospective league champions. They include Mira Costa’s Sara Korhogi; 5HGRQGR¡V 6DUD &XUUHQ (OOH ,QVFRUH $LOLGDK 6KHOGRQ DQG .DWLH 3DUNLQVRQ %LVKRS¡V 1DWDOLH '¡$QJHOR 6RXWK¡V .HOVH\ 0F&OXUH DQG (O 6HJXQGR¡V 6WHSKDQLH *HH DQG Samantha Vinzon. 6HYHUDO IDFWRUV DUH UHVSRQVLEOH WKH LPSURYHPHQW LQ ZRPHQ¡V VXUĂ€QJ DW WKH KLJK VFKRRO OHYHO 2QH UHDVRQ LV WKH H[DPSOH EHLQJ VHW E\ WKH FXUUHQW FUHZ RI SURIHVVLRQDO ZRPHQ VXUIHUV 7KH\ Ă DW RXW FDQ VXUI DQG DUH SURYLQJ LW LQ DOO FRQGLWLRQV ODUJH DQG VPDOO 0RVW RI WKHP RXW VXUI SHUFHQW RI WKH PDOH VXUIHUV $QRWKHU reason is increased media exposure for the women. South Bay photographer Dave Gregerson is as responsible for this as much as anyone. He has been photographing pro and upcoming women surfers or over a decade for the major surf publications. Local surf camps and the LA County Junior Lifeguard are attracting increasing numbers of girls and learning to surf has gotten easier thanks to improvements in soft boards and the more buoyant epoxy boards. 2QH RWKHU UHDVRQ DW OHDVW ORFDOO\ IRU WKH LPSURYHPHQW LQ ZRPHQ¡V VXUĂ€QJ LV +ROO\ %HFN ,Q DQG RXW RI WKH ZDWHU WKURXJK KHU H[DPSOH DQG PHQWRULQJ VKH KDV UDLVHG WKH EDU IRU ZRPHQ¡V VXUĂ€QJ John Joseph is the director of the South Bay High School Surf League. DZ

1. Sara Kohrogi 2. Jessie Rowan

7,0( 72 75$,1 By: 7,0 5,77(5

4. Sara Curran

For South Bay watermen and waterwoman, the longer days signals the end of the surf season and the start of the paddleboarding season. Start those morning or evening workouts now and you’ll have just enough time to get in shape for the WK $QQXDO +HQQHVVH\¡V 5HWXUQ WR WKH 3LHU RQ )ULGD\ 0D\ %\ UDFH VWDQGDUGV LW¡V VKRUW MXVW PLOHV IURP WKH +HUPRVD SLHU WR WKH 0DQKDWWDQ SLHU DQG EDFN This is a fun race for everyone, not just elite prone and stand-up paddlers. And it’s the only evening race. The following weekend, on Saturday, June 2, is the Hobie/Hennessey’s U.S. Championships. Despite its intimidating title, it’s also open to recreational paddlers. The stock race is six miles and the unlimited is eight miles. Though traditionally held in the beach cities, this year’s championships will be at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Saturday June 9 brings the return of the Riviera Mexican Grill R-10 race. This is a fun race from Torrance Beach to the R-10 buoy off of Palos Verdes, with great IRRG ZDLWLQJ EDFN DW WKH Ă€QLVK Keep training and you can be ready for the Rock2Rock on Father’s Day, June 7KLV RQH¡V D ELW ORQJHU EXW UHOD\ WHDPV DUH DOORZHG 5RFN 5RFN VWDUWV DW WKH ,VWKPXV RQ &DWDOLQD ,VODQG DQG HQGV PLOHV ODWHU DW &DEULOOR %HDFK LQ 6DQ Pedro. Race director George Loren changed the course last year, making it more of a downwinder, which was good news for the stand-up paddlers. Paddlers are required to have an escort boat. 2Q -XO\ WKH 0XUSK\ EURWKHUV DQG WKH +HQQHVVH\ 3DGGOHERDUG 6HULHV SXW RQ the South Bay Dozen at Torrance Beach. The dozen events include includes prone and stand-up paddling, dories, surf skis, and a run-swim-run. This is a family friendly day and competitors need only compete in a single event. Proceeds go to the Jimmy Miller Foundation. The shortest paddleboard race of the season is the Velzy-Stevens Pier to Pier 3DGGOHERDUG &KDPSLRQVKLSV RQ 6XQGD\ $XJXVW DV SDUW RI WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 6XUI Festival. This is another family friendly event, with parent and kids paddling side by side, and sometimes on the same boards. The longest race of the season is the Catalina Classic, on the last Sunday of VXPPHU $XJXVW 7KH PLOH UDFH IURP WKH &DWDOLQD ,VWKPXV WR WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK SLHU DWWUDFWV SDGGOHUV IURP DURXQG WKH 3DFLĂ€F The paddleboard racing season ends with the Hennessey’s World SUP and 3DGGOHERDUG &KDPSLRQVKLSV LQ &DER 6DQ /XFDV 0H[LFR RQ 1RYHPEHU DQG This could be the last warm water local paddlers enjoy until next summer. No one ever regrets time spent on the water. But if you need motivation to get out of bed early enough to paddle before work, signing up for a race will solve that problem. DZ

MAY 2012

3. Jordan Wible

The Body Glove boat Disappearance serves as the lead boat for many of the local paddleboard races. Photo by Ray Vidal

For more information on this summer’s paddleboard races visit: Hennessey Series Races: Hennesseypaddleboarding.com Riviera Mexican R-10: RivieraMexicanGrill.com South Bay Dozen: Hennesseypaddleboarding.com Velzy-Stevens Pier to Pier: Surffestival.org. Tim Ritter is the director of the Hennessey’s SUP and Paddleboard Racing Series.

17

Age: 11 Hometown: Huntington Beach 5HFHQW FRQWHVW Ă€QLVK 6HFRQG SODFH LQ WKH JURPV GLYLVLRQ DW WKH )HE 'LYH 1¡ 6XUI 6RXWK %D\ %RDUGULGHUV FRQWHVW '= +RZ ORQJ KDYH \RX EHHQ VXUĂ€QJ" %6 , VWDUWHG ZKHQ , ZDV VL[ EXW , Ă€UVW VWRRG XS ZKHQ , ZDV DQG D KDOI '= :KDW JRW \RX LQWR VXUĂ€QJ" Everybody else was doing it. All my friends from swim team would miss practice and when , DVNHG WKHP ZK\ WKH\ ZHUH PLVVLQJ SUDFWLFH WKH\ VDLG LW ZDV WR JR WR VXUI FRQWHVWV '= :KHUH LV \RXU GUHDP VXUI VSRW" Rincon, a perfect barrel, all the way through four to 6 feet. '= :KR DUH \RXU VSRQVRUV" BS: Body Glove, Anarchy Eyewear, Cobain Shoes, Unexposed Changing Towel, Jack’s

%6 0\ IDYRULWH PDQHXYHU WKDW , FDQ ODQG LV DQ DLU VORE RU DLU JUDE 0\ IDYRULWH PDQHXYHU LQ general is a good nose pick air reverse. '= 6WDQFH" BS: Regular. '= :KDW FRQWHVW Ă€QLVK DUH \RX PRVW SURXG" :LQQLQJ WKH 166$ LQ ,W ZDV UHDOO\ ELJ DQG VWRUP\ DQG WKH Ă€QDO ZDV UHDOO\ VWDFNHG '= )DYRULWH IRRG" Acai bowls. '= 6RPHWKLQJ PRVW SHRSOH GRQ¡W NQRZ DERXW \RX" %6 , DP JRRG DW GUDZLQJ DQG , SOD\ SLDQR '= :KDW LV \RXU PRWLYDWLRQ" %6 :KHQ , GRQ¡W VXUI , IHHO EXPPHG ,I ,¡P VLFN DQG P\ IULHQGV FDOO PH WR JR VXUI , IHHO really weird not being able to get out there. DZ

Photos by Joy Pascini

Interview By: Matt “Chewy� Chernega

Surf Shop, Waxy Wax, Handboards. '= :KDW ERDUG GR \RX ULGH" %6 IRRW E\ LV P\ IDYRULWH GLPHQVLRQV VR IDU ,W¡V DERXW DQ LQFK WDOOHU WKDQ PH VR , KDYH URRP WR JURZ LQWR LW '= 7HOO XV D VFDU\ PRPHQW \RX KDG LQ WKH ZDWHU" %6 'XULQJ WKH VXPPHU , ZDV VXUĂ€QJ DW 6DOW &UHHN ZLWK P\ IULHQG 7\OHU ZKR FKDUJHV UHDOO\ KDUG ,W ZDV WR IHHW :KLOH , ZDV SDGGOLQJ RXW D VHW EURNH RQ P\ KHDG DQG , GLGQ¡W GXFN GLYH KDUG HQRXJK 7KH ZDYH SXVKHG PH WR WKH ERWWRP DQG , IHOW OLNH , ZDV JRLQJ WR GURZQ '= :KDW LV WKH PRVW PHPRUDEOH PRPHQW LQ WKH ZDWHU" %6 'XULQJ 1DWLRQDOV WKLV SDVW VXPPHU , PDGH LW LQWR WKH Ă€QDOV , ZDV VXSHU VWRNHG , PDGH it. '= :RUVW VXUI UHODWHG LQMXU\" %6 , KDYH QHYHU EURNHQ D ERQH RU KDG VWLFKHV RU DQ\WKLQJ OLNH WKDWÂŤ EXWÂŤ 2+ 7KLV RQH WLPH , ZDV VXUĂ€QJ LQ &RVWD 5LFD DQG , ZHQW WR GXFN GLYH D ZDYH DQG P\ ERDUG KLW PH LQ WKH face. There was blood everywhere. '= 6D\ WKH ZDYHV DUH Ă DW :KDW RWKHU WKLQJV GR HQMR\ GRLQJ" %6 , OLNH WR VNDWHERDUG LQ IURQW RI P\ KRXVH $QG .XUW WKH RZQHU RI :D[\ :D[ KDV D ELJ KDOISLSH LQ KLV EDFN\DUG DQG , JR RYHU WKHUH D ORW '= )DYRULWH PDQHXYHU"

THE ONLY ICE IS IN HIS VEINS By: Elisabet Bocque Niko Ojanen, one Finland’s top skaters, is living in Redondo Beach while studying at the EF International Language School in Redondo Beach and filming all over Los Angeles. At 16, Ojanen won one of Finland’s top skating competitions, and then founded his company rollingskateboards.

MAY 2012

18

“I just wanted to do my own thing, have my own company and travel around. I travel quite a lot in Europe, but Los Angeles is different. Skating is big here; the stunts are bigger and the people are better. It’s just a good atmosphere to be around.� Ojanen takes his inspiration from a wide range of people. He mentioned fellow Finnish skater Avto Saari, who now lives in Huntington Beach and San Diego skater Chris Cole, but also fighters Bruce Lee and Mohammed Ali. “I get inspired by a lot of people. They don’t have to be skaters. I admire people who do their thing in a successful way and here especially, you have a lot of successful people and high level skaters, which motivates me to get to a higher level. I had a few struggles on the way, but I have always continued to focus on what makes me happy.� Ojanen is sponsored by Billabong, circa footwear, Rolling Skateboards and Dakine. His website is rollingskateboards.com. DZ

Finnish skater Niko Ojanen has relocated to Redondo Beach.

3,3(5 1(5,

6+$1( 026/(<

*5$<621 '$/(<

/8.( 61<'(5

0$77+(: +$+1

MAY 2012

0</(6 *$))1(< $1' 5+(77 0(66(5

0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK UHVLGHQW 6WHYH *DIIQH\ FRPELQHG KLV WDOHQWV DV D SRUWUDLW DQG ÀQH art photographer with his love of sports to capture these shots of young surfers in WKH 6XUI &RQFHSWV 6RXWK %D\ %RDUGULGHUV &RQWHVW RQ 6DWXUGD\ $SULO DW WK Street in Manhattan Beach. When not coaching his sons in the water he coaches their baseball and soccer teams. More of Gaffney’s photography may be viewed at stevegaffnew.com, and stevegaffney.net and on Facebook. DZ

19

),11 %(57,12

&+$5/,( :+,7(

%,//< $7.,1621

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.