8 REPORTERS NOTEBOOK Los Angeles COLLEGIAN - Wednesday, March 18, 2015
RETURN OF OPENING DAY:
DO YOU EVEN SURF BRO?
By Taylor Corbin
O
ne of the first south swells of the year slams the coast of Southern California on a Thursday morning, awakening many surf spots such as Malibu, Newport, and Trestles in San Clemente from their winter
slumbers. Opening day is the name given to the first south swell of every season, which signifies the true start of the Californian summer, and this year’s opening day did not disappoint. Thursday’s swell was unusual, hitting two days after the southern swell’s waiting period began, which marked the best opening day locals had seen at Malibu in years. Malibu, one of the most storied and iconic surf spots in the world, drew the local scene back to where the tradition started, and without fail, it selfishly stole the show as the swell peaked Thursday morning, March 5, 2015. Growing up surfing Malibu my whole life taught me the true value of opening day, and why Malibu is different from every other beach. As I walked onto the sand I saw my friends sharing waves with each other. They walked up and down their boards-cross stepping to the nose of the surfboard. It was the first time since last summer and it made me feel like I had gone back for the first day of school again. As I made my arrival for opening day at Malibu, it was like she had been waiting for me all winter. I was greeted by a classic Malibu sunrise, crisp offshore winds that sent colorful spray out the back of each wave, and perfect sets are wrapping around the point. A set is when a series of waves comes through. To hear the waves crash, and the cobblestones rattle against each other as the tide rolls back to sea, reminds me that I am home for the summer. We are blessed to have this in our backyard. Local surfer Daniel Marcinkowski provided his take on why Malibu is so iconic, as well as what makes opening day at Malibu different from other spots. “Malibu is so special because of its tradition, it’s been one of the most sought after waves since surfing was created, and many legends such as Allen Sarlo have made a name for themselves here.” Sarlo is an original Z-Boy legend who has carved his name permanently in the waves of Malibu. “It’s one of the best waves in the world, and opening day signifies the real beginning of our surf season here at Malibu,” Marcinkowski said. “I mean sure you have other spots to go to during winter, but that first south swell is always in the back of your mind as soon as the last one of the season ends. To be able to come to the beach to talk and catch up with everyone after the long winter is like a family reunion, but to be able to score overhead waves on an opening season swell though? I’m seriously waiting to wake up from this dream”. Another local surfer, Chris Curl, provided a similar account on what makes Malibu so special. “It all starts with tradition. It’s one of the most traditional and celebrated spots in surfing, and the epicenter for longboarding, Curl said. “It’s a world-class wave that is as good as any wave on the planet when there’s swell. There’s so much history at Malibu, and each generation carries Malibu’s legacy forward, while keeping respect for its hierarchy.” With even more south swell on the way, this season shows much promise for California surfers. Opening day came and went, but the southern swell memories are already being logged into the memory bank. It’s time to get out there and create your own! Mahalo!
Taylor Corbin checks Stephen Fixary’s camera before heading in to the surf on the coast of Malibu Beach. Surfers are taking in the sunrise and enjoying the scenery before they become a part of the action On the coast of Malibu Beach, March 7, 2015.
Photos by Curtis Sabir/Collegian
Sunflare: Surfer Taylor Corbin executes nose-dive maneuver on the front end of a long board as light bends to create a colorful starburst effect in the early morning on Malibu beach March 7 2015. The first south swell of the year slammed the Southern California Coast two days earlier awakening many popular surf spots.