June 29, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

June 29-July 5 , 2017

YO U

C A N

U S E

San Clemente Native Aims to Save the Sharks PAGE 3 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 26

The Big Bang Fourth of July to be celebrated in San Clemente EYE ON SC/PAGE 5

The chair races are tradition in San Clemente, and participants are already preparing for the Fourth of July festivity. Photo: Eric Heinz, 2016

Man Pleads Guilty to Giving Minor Marijuana, Unlawful Annoyance EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SC Surf Soccer Team Wins Tournament SPORTS/PAGE 11

www.sanclementetimes.com

Cole Houshmand, Crosby Colapinto Win Titles at 2017 USA Surfing Championships SC SURF/PAGE 14

GO TO SANCLEMENTETIMES.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

Mariah Meyer interacts with a nurse shark on April 18 at Stuart’s Cove in The Bahamas. The San Clemente native intends to study shark behavior and migratory patterns in college.

Photo: Courtesy of Mariah Meyer

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week San Clemente Native Aims to ‘Save the Sharks’ THE LATEST: When the city of San Clemente closes its beaches due to shark sightings, surfers bemoan the act; Mariah Meyer, however, becomes excited.

A San Clemente native, graduate of JSerra Catholic High School and volunteer at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, Meyer said she became interested in studying sharks from her marine biology classes.

She will attend California State University Long Beach (CSULB) next year to study marine biology and play water polo.

One video clip particularly got Meyer’s attention. Her high school class watched a snippet of world traveler Anthony Bourdain visiting a Southeast Asian country where a litany of shark fins had been stacked along a wall as trophies.

“Ever since then, I’ve been really obsessed with sharks,” Meyer said.

Meyer said she’s done about 35 scuba dives near sharks and 10 dives where she’s been able to swim with the sharks.

“I really like the big sharks, the same ones that (CSULB) is working with, and I want to know their migration patterns.

They’re pretty hard to study.” Meyer said.

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

On her website, Saving the Sharks, Meyer has compiled lists from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and she provides information on shark behavior and anatomy from her school textbooks.

Meyer is also an advocate of laws that protect sharks in U.S. and international waters.

“The problem is we’re protecting endangered sharks but not the other ones that are being hunted for their fins,” Meyer said. “Even though the U.S. is enacting these laws, it’s not going to matter if we can’t get Thailand and South Korea and Spain on board.”

Meyer said she understands the fear people may have due to the recent shark activity, but she also said the sharks are a sign of clean waters.

“You should be concerned if you don’t see them in our ocean,” she said. “Sharks are the sign of a healthy ocean, but if you don’t see sharks, then you know there is a problem.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Meyer said she wants to get her master’s degree and work with Chris Lowe, Ph.D., the director of Shark Lab at CSULB and local expert on shark behavior. After that, she said she wants to take time studying shark behavior and eventually get her Ph.D. in ichthyology, which is the study of fish.

On Monday, June 26, another shark at least 8 feet in length was spotted by multiple witnesses and a lifeguard patrolling the area near the San Clemente Pier and T Street. The sighting prompted an eighthour closure, which is the San Clemente Marine Safety Division’s policy.

FIND OUT MORE: To learn more about sharks and Meyer’s endeavors, visit www. savingthesharks.com. —Eric Heinz

North El Camino Real Project Set to Finish in Mid-July THE LATEST: The roadwork on North El Camino Real, from North Beach to Camino Capistrano, is about 85 percent complete, said Tom Frank, the city’s transportation engineering manager.

The project has taken place since the beginning of the year to add wider pedestrian and bike lanes as well as a divider, additions to the Camino Capistrano righthand turn and new pavement.

WHAT’S NEXT: The city hopes to have the road striped by Fourth of July, Frank said.

After that, some landscaping work will take place along with installation of irrigation systems.

FIND OUT MORE: At the northbound

entrance to the bicycle lanes, the city intends to install signage to direct cyclists as well as some traffic signal improvements, Frank said.

People with questions on the project can contact Frank at 949.361.6127.

—EH

Public Safety Task Force THE LATEST: San Clemente’s newly established Public Safety Task Force will host its first meeting. The task force’s responsibility is to analyze crime data and reports to make recommendations for potential suggestions for Police Services.

WHAT’S NEXT: The first meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on July 7 at 910 Calle Negocio, the community development building.

The meeting is open to the public. —Staff

Las Palmas Elementary Student Dies in Skateboarding Accident in Dana Point THE LATEST: A 9-year-old boy, who was identified as a Las Palmas Elementary School student in San Clemente by the school’s principal, was killed on Sunday, June 25, in a skateboarding accident on a road in the Dana Point Harbor.

According to Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) officials, at about 5:30 p.m. the boy was hanging on the driver’s side of a Ford E350 van while riding his skateboard, his friend was hanging onto the other side, as his 22-year-old sister was driving. The boy lost control of the board and fell under the wheels of the still-moving vehicle, said Lt. Lane Lagaret, spokesperson for OCSD. Lagaret said people were attempting to give the boy CPR when they arrived.

OCSD has not been made aware of what specific injuries the boy suffered except that they were fatal.

Sgt. Rich Himmel of Dana Point Police Services posted a message to Nextdoor on Monday reporting that deputies responded to the traffic collision in the Harbor.

The boy was pronounced dead at the Mission Regional Medical Center trauma center about an hour after the incident.

The boy’s friend did not suffer any injuries.

“Here at Dana Point Police Services, we are all saddened by this terrible tragedy.

Please join us in keeping this family in your thoughts and prayers,” Himmel wrote.

On Monday, Las Palmas Elementary School Principal Kristen Nelson confirmed to the San Clemente Times that

Page 3

the boy was a student at the school she oversees.

“The loss of this student is devastating to all of us at Las Palmas,” Nelson said in a statement. “This student will be greatly missed for his humor, kindness and energy. The entire school community is grieving and will be there for this longtime Las Palmas family.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Lagaret said the names of those involved have not yet been released

by OCSD. No arrests have been made in the incident, and Lagaret said the accident is currently under investigation.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family with funeral costs and other expenses at www.gofundme.com/ vrccq-3500000.

—Allison Jarrell and Eric Heinz

SC Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Annoyance, Giving Marijuana to Child THE LATEST: Christian Reed, 50, of San Clemente pleaded guilty on Monday, June 26, to a felony charge of giving a child marijuana and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful child annoyance to a person under the age of 14.

Reed was arrested on May 4 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at his San Clemente home after he was accused of giving a controlled substance to at least one child under the age of 18 between Oct. 1, 2016 and March 22. He was originally charged with nine counts that included child molestation or annoyance and furnishing drugs to a minor.

“He’s never been arrested and doesn’t have a record,” Lt. Lane Lagaret told the San Clemente Times on May 4. “A report taken in 2007 had similar allegations that couldn’t be proven, so no charges were filed.”

Lagaret said Reed has been unemployed since the mid-2000s and worked odd-end jobs for a while. Lagaret said Reed did not work in a capacity where he oversaw children.

The courts have not published the name(s) of the victim(s) because of their age, but that the victim was male. The San Clemente Times policy is to not publish names of victims of sexual abuse.

WHAT’S NEXT: Reed was sentenced that same day to 108 days in Orange County Jail (after being credited 54 days in custody), three years of formal probation, he must provide a DNA sample to local and state authorities and must register as a sex offender. Reed is also not allowed to be in the presence of anyone under the age of 18 unless authorized by his probation officer. —EH www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC Orange County Landfills, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers Closed on Fourth of July

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

RSVP Member Celebrates 90th Birthday In today’s selfie-conscious world, it’s not unusual to be presented with a birthday cake adorned with a photo. Usually, one does not have to wait until age 90.

Neil Barbanell, long-term member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which assists the San Clemente Police Services, was honored during the program’s monthly training meeting, surrounded by more than three dozen of his fellow members and representatives of the city and the Sheriff’s Department. In his statement of gratitude for the acknowledgement, he took the group through a storied history of the RSVP organization, all the way back to the duties that he participated in as a new recruit 27 years ago, then later as the coordinator leading the group. Barbanell has volunteered thousands of hours to San Clemente since 1991, and with this milestone he now joins two other active members in the 90-andolder age category.

For more information about the city’s RSVP program, contact the volunteer administrator at 949.361.8353 or hr@sanclemente.org.

Local Artists to Participate in ‘Paint the Town’ on Sunday, July 2 San Clemente Art Association will host a one-day paint out, called “Paint the Town” on July 2. Artwork will be judged and winners will be announced at a public reception same day from 4-6 p.m. at the association’s gallery, located in the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville.

Notable artists will include San Clemente’s Rick Delanty as well as Mary Von Lortz, Toni Williams of Solana Beach, JoAnn Royal of Laguna Niguel and David Meyers.

Admission is free. Gallery hours are noon4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. For information, call the San Clemente Art Association at 949.492.7175, or visit www.sanclementeartassociation. com or www.facebook.com/sanclementeartassociation.

Left Coast Brewing Co. Medals at Beer Competitions Left Coast Brewing Co., announced some of its select beers received recent “prestigious accolades” this year. The beer Good Morning San Clemente won a gold medal in the coffee beer category at the San Diego International Beer Competition.

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

OC Waste & Recycling is reminding customers that county landfills and household hazardous waste collection centers will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. The landfills will be open regular hours on Monday, July 3, and will resume regular hours on Wednesday, July 5.

Neil Barbanell, 90, celebrates his birthday among his Retired Senior Volunteer Program peers on Wednesday, June 21. Photo: Courtesy of Lou Leto

McGarvey’s Scottish Ale for Oggi’s won a gold medal in the Scottish ale category at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition. Del Mar St. won a silver medal in the Dortmunder/German Style OktoberFest category at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition.

Chamber Fiesta Salsa Challenge: ‘Bigger, Better & Hotter than Ever’ Calling all salsa connoisseurs and chefs, this year’s 64th Annual Fiesta Music Festival Salsa Challenge, scheduled for Aug. 13 on Avenida Del Mar, is “bigger and better than ever,” according to a press release from the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. The city’s finest salsa makers, restaurants and individuals will convene to present their salsa, which will be judged by the public and official judges. Based on the best tasting salsa, awards will be given, first through fourth place, for best salsa individual, best salsa restaurant, judges’ favorite salsa, best decorated individual, best decorated restaurant (public), judges’ best restaurant decoration, people’s choice restaurant and individual, and best overall salsa.

The search is on for the perfect salsa recipe. Setup time for contestants is Saturday, Aug. 12, at 3 p.m. or day of event at 7 a.m., (must be completely set up by 9 a.m.) Judging and public tasting starts at 10 a.m. Tasting ends at 2 p.m. or when the salsa runs out. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. at stage 3.

Tasting tickets will be sold to the public at $8 for six tastes.

Restaurants and individuals are invited to participate. The event is limited to 20 entrants. Space will be assigned based on date of application, with payment received.

Entrants are required to make three gallons of homemade salsa. Applications and tickets are available at the San Clemente Chamber Office, 1231 Puerta Del Sol, Suite 200. For more information, call 949.4921131 or visit www.scchamber.com.

CUSD to Make Improvements to Classrooms During Summer Break Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) announced the district is updating classrooms and technology during the summer break.

Crews are currently working on the construction of brick-and-mortar classroom buildings at San Clemente High School and San Juan Hills High School. The turf at San Clemente High School’s Thalassa Stadium, which was 13 years old, has been replaced.

“This summer the District is also working to improve and enhance our Career Technical Education Classrooms,” a press release from CUSD stated. “A new Engineering/Construction Lab and new Fabrication (FAB) Lab will be constructed at San Juan Hills High and San Clemente High, respectively. We are also on track to construct eleven new Investigation Labs at our middle schools.”

The release stated CUSD will be unveiling the classrooms when school begins this fall.

“As we look to the year ahead, we are very excited about the many improvements taking place to expand career pathways through Career Technical Education,” said CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital. “Our District’s CTE programs stay on the cutting-edge to give our students the skills they need to be viable in today’s rapidly changing world.”

CUSD is also conducting a district-wide “Solar Feasibility Study.”

“As part of the project, students will work hand-in-hand with the District to help make this dream of greater energy efficiency a reality,” the release stated.

“Students will be auditing, monitoring and measuring electricity usage as an educational tool to establish innovation at every level within the school system.”

A usage report will be compiled with recommendations for CUSD to consider in its “solar strategy.”

Classroom upgrades and other work will be conducted until Aug. 22, the first day of the 2017-2018 school year.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Page 4

Community Meetings SUNDAY, JULY 2

‘CHRISTMAS IN JULY’ 9 a.m.-1 p.m. San Clemente Friends of the Library Bookstore will celebrate “Christmas In July.” Holiday Books and Holiday CDs will be half-price.

The outside patio will showcase newly received books. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente Library. 949.492.3493. www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc.

DEL MAR FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. TUESDAY, JULY 4

FOURTH OF JULY—CITY OFFICES CLOSED, NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUNRISE ROTARY 7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega. www.scsunriserotary.com.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) MEETING 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday.

Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.233.7981. www. sanclementerotary.org.

KIWANIS SAN CLEMENTE Noon. Kiwanis San Clemente works to help maintain the quality of life for all people through volunteerism.

Tommy’s Restaurant, 1409 S. El Camino Real. 949.366.5423. www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

NORTH BEACH FARMERS MARKET 3-6:30 p.m. The Market at North Beach features vendors of food, jewelry and other wares, and there could be live music. 1501 N. El Camino Real.

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

The Big Bang

For Military Personnel

Here’s what’s going on in San Clemente on the Fourth of July

Each year, the Heritage of San Clemente Foundation, which maintains Park Semper Fi, hosts a potluck for Marines and their families. The potluck is at 5 p.m. on July 4. Tickets are required but are free of charge. Bring your favorite dish. For more information, call 949.498.4958 or email heritage@marinemonument.com.

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

an Clemente’s Fourth of July celebrations are a spectacle to behold.

From the chair races (see page 11) to the fireworks over the Pacific Ocean, people flock to the beach city to celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks start at the Pier at 9 p.m., and officials will close the entrance to the boardwalk at 8 a.m. and keep it closed for the remainder of the day. People will still be able to access The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar. The ocean water at the Pier will be closed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. from 1,000 feet north and south of the structure.

Overnight camping isn’t allowed on the beach and dogs aren’t allowed on the beach trail. Alcohol isn’t permitted on the beach either. Unmanned aircraft and drones are also prohibited during the fireworks show, unless permitted by the city.

A flyover by the Condor Squadron, four AT-6 aircraft trainers from World War II, will take place along the coast of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and San Clemente. The planes make a complete circle in the sky and turn around once they get to San Clemente.

Look to the skies about 6:25-6:30 p.m.

“Beaches are closed from midnight to 4 a.m. Those in violation of the ordinance can be cited while unattended property left on the beach is not the responsibility of the City,” a press release from the city stated.

The new San Clemente Summer Trolley

Forster Ranch Kids and Pet Parade

A man carries an American flag at the San Clemente Pier beach during Fourth of July celebrations in 2016.

Photo: File

will be in service from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on the Fourth of July. At 6 p.m., the trolley route will be adjusted for street closures in the Pier Bowl and downtown area.

The closure will affect stops 1, 3, 4, 14, 15 and 16.

“Trolley riders looking to utilize the service after the fireworks show can access the trolley at stop 2, located across the street from the Community Center on the corner of Avenida Del Mar and Calle Seville,” the release stated. “Check for any changes to the hours of operation by visiting www.san-clemente.org/trolley.”

The city asks people to take their trash with them when leaving the beach. Roping or blocking-off portions of the beach for

Fireworks over the San Clemente Pier are the centerpiece of the Fourth of July celebrations. San Clemente’s fireworks start at 9 p.m. Photo: File

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

Page 5

private use is not permitted.

The city of San Clemente has ordinances prohibiting any firework use within its borders.

The city spends about $40,000 a year on the firework show, and additional costs for Orange County Sheriff’s Department security and staff resources. SC

The Forster Ranch community will host a kids and pet parade on the greenbelt path at 9 a.m. on the Fourth of July, next to the Forster Ranch sign at the corner of Calle Nuevo and Camino de los Mares.

People are encouraged to bring their bicycles, tricycles, strollers and decorated wagons for the Fourth of July. Pets are also welcome and must be on a leash.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The parade is expected to be 20 minutes long.

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Lew’s Views by Lew Avera

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, June 30 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso

What Drives Orange County

L

ast month, I wrote about our powerful population in Orange County, with Orange and San Diego counties being the fi fth and sixth largest counties in the U.S. in population. Our population is 3.2 million with 34 incorporated cities. San Clemente is one of the 34 and is a median city with a population of 65,000.

Also, Orange County is one of the smallest counties geographically in the state. I did not cover LEW’S VIEWS any of the factors which

By Lew Avera drive these phenomenal numbers. There are, however, many tourists and other visitors that contribute to these statistics. Others are commercial/ businesses and residential lifestyle.

Central to any of this thinking is how it relates to and affects our wonderful lifestyle in San Clemente.

I have done significant research on many of these factors. According to Visit California, in 2016, Orange County had 4.4 million international tourists along with some 4.8 million from the U.S. for a total of some-8.2 million. The report also states that international tourists spend more money than domestic tourists; they stay longer and spend a significant amount

Letters to the Editor AVOIDANCE AREA, YES; TOLL ROAD, NO STEVE NETHERBY, San Clemente

I couldn’t be more pleased about the new Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) avoidance area that guarantees Donna O’Neil Land Conservancy, Trestles, our two state parks and much of the eastern San Clemente backcountry will be protected from a toll road.

Some city leaders and others are upset about the hard-won agreement that produced that avoidance area, but I don’t think they have taken into account the recreational, environmental, economic and quality of life value of those lands and waters.

I agree that handcuffing the Save San Onofre Coalition in the fight against the newly proposed toll road routes is a steep price to pay for that protection, but saving that unique and supremely valuable open San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

of time shopping at our major shopping centers. In fact, several of our major shopping centers are designed specifically to meet these needs and attract foreign visitors. Tourists from abroad are reported to have spent $12.1 billion, up 6.8 percent from 2015. Still, another related statistic from the Orange County Business Journal says traffic at John Wayne Airport was 10.5 million passengers in 2016, many of whom were visitors.

In a survey from the OCBJ, the 50 largest hotels in the county have a total of 21,841 rooms. This does not include a myriad of smaller hotels and rooming arrangements. At a rate of $150 a night, which is minor for major hotels, this could result in $3,276,150 per night when fully occupied.

The OCBJ indicates there are 164,000 jobs in Orange County related to the tourist industry. In addition, there are 14 new hotels and 2,188 new rooms under construction and due to be opened in 2018.

These factors reflect a distinctive orientation toward “conventions” and “convention centers” in the county. Although hotels may become such centers, they are not the main convention centers but rather support such centers as the Anaheim Convention Center.

There is so much more to be said about

space is worth the cost. And new citizen coalitions are already rising up—with righteous fervor—to defend our communities and our remaining open space. I have every confidence the citizens of San Clemente and our neighboring communities will prevail against these mindless, soulless, reckless TCA proposals.

Let’s face it: TCA’s true mission is to perpetuate its existence and to justify the obscene amounts of money (much of it our tax money) it’s managed to corral. It’s driven to lay concrete, and it could care less about the quality of life—wild or human—in South Orange County.

It’s been established that more roads don’t equate to less traffic (picture Los Angeles at rush hour—or any other hour, for that matter). We must throw all available resources, especially our newly mobilized people power, behind the “no build” option and seek to abolish the TCA.

NORTH EL CAMINO REAL PROJECT IS PUZZLING J.M. TROBEE, San

Clemente

Each time I must take El Camino Real

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome. how our population drives and relates to such a vibrant, successful and influential Orange County. I plan to continue this analysis in the future. However, it is interesting to think about how we in San Clemente view these factors and how they relate to our well-being and ways of life. In spite of much growth over recent years, we remain a wonderful “Village by the Sea.” We have very few hotel rooms in San Clemente, but the visitors here certainly contribute in many ways, many indirectly, to our wonderful and pleasant lives.

Lew Avera is a retired career officer, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps. He has been a director of the Talega HOA since 2003 and served on the San Clemente Planning Commission from 2005 to 2013. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

between Camino Capistrano and Avenida Pico or try to exit or enter Camino San Clemente, I question the reasoning of those responsible for the taxpayer money spent on that stretch of highway. This is the entrance to San Clemente, yet we have given over two full traffic lanes to bicycles, while cars wait in line to get where they are going, and it will only get worse with summer traffic. Bicyclists will still ride two or three together or ride on the white line, so motorists have to swerve to avoid them. In my opinion, my taxpayer dollars have been wasted on something that cannot be deemed an improvement, and that definitely upsets me.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ sanclementetimes.com. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

Page 6

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com BUSINESS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

OPERATIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett

Finance Director > Mike Reed

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Debra Holm Tim Trent Jake Howard

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes San Clemente Times, Vol. 12, Issue 26. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes. com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

COA IMPROV & COMEDY CLUB 6:30-8 p.m. Community Outreach Alliance is partnering with San Clemente High School Theatre Arts Improv Team to keep teens laughing all summer long. The event is every Monday evening. The event is free and kids middle-school through college are welcome. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. For more information, contact Teri Steel at coa.teristeel@gmail.com.

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 29 CASA COOL: MAMBOP & SALSA LESSONS 6 p.m. Learn how to Salsa dance with instructor Evie Quinones, then enjoy Mambop’s Latin Jazz music. Beginners are welcome. Prices are $20 for members and $25 for general admission. Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

BEACH CONCERT 6 p.m. Head down to the beach and enjoy music and surf. Fisherman’s Restaurant will provide a BBQ dinner for $8 per person while 2000 Lbs. of Blues performs.

The concert is part of the city of San Clemente’s beach concert series. 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

Friday | 30 MISSION ART WALK 11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

LIVE MUSIC: THE SHOW KILLERS 7:30-10:30 p.m. Listen to The Show Killers perform live. Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte #106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Saturday | 01 SAN CLEMENTE MONTHLY BEACH CLEANUP 9-11 a.m. Join OC Coastkeeper and help clean the beach by removing trash.

Registering online before the event is recommended. Calafia State Beach.

225 W. Calafia, San Clemente.

714.850.1965. www.coastkeeper.org.

RED, WHITE & BLUE PLANTER MAKE & TAKE 9 a.m. Create a patriotic look for your porch or patio with a red, white and blue planter. Those who attend will see a demonstration and hands-on planting. Registration is necessary to attend and $15.99 fee is required the day of class. Armstrong Garden Centers.

32382 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.6666. www.armstronggarden.com.

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

Tuesday | 04 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON THE WATER 8-10 p.m. Join Capt. Dave for an evening of fireworks on the water. Tickets are $65 per person. Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.488.2828. www.dolphinsafari.com.

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Courtesy of The Outlets at San Clemente

SATURDAY, JULY 1 - TUESDAY, JULY 4: OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE JULY 4TH SIDEWALK SALE The Outlets at San Clemente is celebrating the Fourth of July with a sidewalk sale.

Shops will offer sales of up to 70 percent off. Offers will vary. The sale runs through Tuesday, July 4. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

Sunday | 02 VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Every first Sunday of the month there is an array of work handcrafted by artisans. There is jewelry, woodwork blown glass, sculptures and more. Downtown San Clemente, 100 Block of Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. www.villagesanclemente.org.

BEND & BREW 11:30 a.m. iHeartYoga holds a Bend & Brew session at Left Coast Brewing Company’s tasting room in San Clemente. It’s a one-hour yoga class followed by a pint of beer. Admission $10. 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.com.

Monday | 03 YOGA IN THE PARK 5:30 p.m. Join iHeartYoga for yoga in the park every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this summer. Bring a mat, water bottle and suggested donation of $8. Lantern Bay Park. 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point. www.iheartyoga.org.

SAN CLEMENTE INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS 9 p.m. The city of San Clemente will host their annual show beginning at 9 p.m. It can be seen from many beaches and hilltop areas. 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

Wednesday | 05 DINO ENCOUNTERS 11 a.m. Join Rocky the Tyrannosaurus Rex and his gang to go back in time to the age of the dinosaurs. This will be an interactive show with moving dinosaurs. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517.

FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.

FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www. mollybloomssc.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All levels of musicians are welcome to perform at this weekly open mic. Bring your instruments, or voice, and show off your talent. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Page 7

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to San Clemente Times by going to www.sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

At the Movies: Coppola Leaves Her Mark on ‘The Beguiled’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

E

ighteen years ago, Sofia Coppola made her mark in Hollywood with the sleeper hit The Virgin Suicides and then flew to mega success with the Oscar-winning Lost in Translation (2003). Since then, her efforts have been rather polarizing, with Marie Antoinette (2006), Somewhere (2010) and The Bling Ring (2013). But fortunately for her fans, her new film, The Beguiled, a second adaptation of Thomas Cullinan’s novel, A Painted Devil, still has the distinctive Coppola touch.

In 1863, Virginia, young schoolgirl named Amy (Oona Lawrence) finds a wounded Civil War Union soldier John McBurney (Colin Farrell), outside the boarding house where she resides.

Quickly, the women and girls of the house, including headmistress Martha (Nicole Kidman), teacher Edwina (Kirsten Dunst) and eldest student Alicia (Elle Fanning) begin to nurse him back to health. But even quicker, hormones start rising between the sexually repressed women near the new man.

Coppola’s The Beguiled has the filmmaker’s usual dreamlike quality, with the soft cinematography and an atmospheric score, as well as casting her usual muses, Dunst and Fanning.

Because of this, a couple of the creative decisions to the plot do seem a bit absurd at times with the straightforward narrative and subtlety. But the performances, particularly from Dunst and Lawrence, are strong, and Coppola doesn’t feel the need to push the envelope with the innuendo. Although Don Siegel’s original 1971 adaptation was racier and provocative, Coppola’s update brings a new perspective from the female point of view for any fans of the director’s style. SC

Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Bonnie Finn is the owner of Coastal Thermography. Photo: Eric Heinz

Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Health Business COASTAL THERMOGRAPHY 26499 Rancho Parkway South, Lake Forest 949.201.7463 www.coastalthermography.com San Clemente resident Bonnie Finn has dedicated her life and work to helping people detect life-threatening illnesses before they become irreversible. Finn said she and her mother experienced breast cancer at relatively young ages, and so she decided to get into thermal imaging.

Finn is a certified clinical thermographer who has been working in the industry for four years.

A thermal image can range from about $350 to $750, depending on how much of the body someone wants examined. The images are then studied and a report is generated by a medical doctor. Thermal imaging is not covered by medical insurance, but Finn said she thinks it may be in the near future.

Finn said thermal images can detect cancers and other problems up to eight years before they’ve spread or become worse. There is no radiation involved in the process.

The images can also detect areas where someone is experiencing pain.

Detailed information about the services are available on the business’s website.

dha, said he has a passion for helping businesses grow. He’s been in marketing and advertising for nearly 30 years.

“I was partnered with a couple different people at my first agency in Irvine in 1988, and I didn’t feel like I had enough financial knowledge, so I became a stock broker,” Saunders said. “What I learned was how to sell and grow businesses, and turned that into a golf publishing company.”

Saunders said he liked the publishing and marketing aspects of the businesses, and he continued to do consulting for firms for about 15 years.

A grand opening for Brand Buddha is scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 29 at the business’s El Camino Real office.

“When it was time to put together a good team, I decided to put one together and slap a fun name on it,” Saunders said of Brand Buddha. “It’s this different background I used to grow Brand Buddha and be successful in marketing solutions.”

Saunders said the business doesn’t have an exact niche clientele and that they try

to reach a diverse customer base.

“We have billion-dollar pharmaceutical business, but we like having a diverse background to bringing different clients,” he said. “We have a brewery client in San Francisco, and we like to be able to bring some fresh ideas to them rather than what’s already been done.”

Saunders said he grew up in San Juan Capistrano and raised his family in northern San Diego County. He said he married his high school sweetheart and moved to San Clemente because that’s where she’s from and they both love the South Orange County area.

The business officially opened in February 2016.

“I think it’s about believing in a product or a service our client has,” Saunders said.

“We have a nonprofit that (helps provide) healthcare, and they treat patients like they’re family, and we like that feeling and we work hard for them. We’ll work hard for a client that doesn’t have a lot of money to help them grow.”

New Business BRAND BUDDHA 2110 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.276.4330, www.brandbuddha.com Paul Saunders, founder of Brand Bud-

Paul Saunders has been in marketing and advertising for about 30 years. His new company, Brand Buddha, a marketing company, will host a grand opening on July 29. Photo: Courtesy

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Scoreboard

For more information or to register, visit www.tritonfootball.com.

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

SC SURF SOCCER TEAM WINS SWALLOWS CUP TOURNAMENT The San Clemente Surf Soccer Club’s boys 2006 Nolan team won its division at the 2017 Swallows Cup on June 18.

The local team, which won the boys U11 division, bested a large field of local teams over a two-day stretch. The SC Surf team defeated Laguna United FC White 3-2 in the championship game at Forrester Ranch Park.

The team included: Griffin Blair, Davis Blake, Marcos Duzman, Hughie Eaton, Vance Ewell, Finn Johansson, Joe Makos, Conor Neville, David Rudnicki, Logan Seymour, Riley White, Henry Rothey and Beckett Miller.

TRITON RISING STAR YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP TO BEGIN IN JULY The San Clemente High School football coaching staff will be conducting its annual Triton Rising Stars Youth Football Camp on campus beginning July 10.

The camp is open to interested youth players ranging from first grade to middle school. The first session, for first- to- fifth-graders, will run from July 10 to July 13. The second session, for middle schoolers, will run July 17 to July 20.

All camps run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and campers will be taught all aspects of the game.

The San Clemente Fourth of July Office Chair Downhill Derby has become a popular tradition in town.

Photo: Eric Heinz

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Office chair races a Fourth of July staple in SC he Fourth of July holiday brings to mind several classic all-American traditions.

People get together with family and friends, maybe barbecue some delicious food and everyone stops when night falls to watch a local fireworks display.

In San Clemente, there is another tradition that locals can uniquely call their own—office chair racing.

The San Clemente Fourth of July Office Chair Downhill Derby is part soapbox racing, part spring break-style party, where dozens of brave racers modify office chairs, put on costumes and hurl themselves down a quarter-mile gauntlet that starts at Avenida Rosa and ends at the intersection of Avenida Santa Barbara and Calle Seville while chasing glory on the most patriotic day of the year.

A deep YouTube dive when searching

“San Clemente Office Chair Race” can show just how unique the racers’ “vehicles” can be.

“Each downhill racer must start out life as a real office chair,” the race’s official website states before adding that modifications, whether necessary or not, are encouraged.

People attach bicycle handlebars, big rubber wheels, surfboards and whatever else they can find to the framework of a chair in hopes of reaching the bottom in one piece while maximizing speed. Every year there are still a few purists who barrel down the hill on the classic, standard office chair.

The event’s organizers have been elusive, but a detailed description of the event can be found on the race’s official website www.officechairrace.com.

According to the site, the event started 13 years ago when three roommates liv-

ing on the corner of Avenida Rosa and Ola Vista got together on July 4 and wanted to kill some time while they waited for their food to cook. They turned to speeding down the street on office chairs, becoming the race’s founding fathers in the process.

The race website accredits resident

Costumes are optional in the office chair races.

Photo: Eric Heinz

Contestants take a spill during the office chair race.

Photo: Eric Heinz

A wide range of “vehicles” are used during the race.

Photo: Eric Heinz

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

The SC Surf Soccer Club’s boys 2006 Nolan team won the 2017 Swallows Cup. Photo: Courtesy

Page 11

Larry Butler for taking the event to new heights. Butler and his fellow Pier Bowl neighbors decided to modify the chairs and have a real race down to the Pier every Fourth of July.

The event, which is not affiliated with the city in any way, has since morphed into a full-on spectacle, complete with qualifying heats, a main event and a “kamikaze downhill” race.

As a safety measure, the course has been shortened to cover roughly a quarter-mile, and is lined with hundreds of spectators. Popular spots for viewing are at the starting line and near the intersection of Avenida Rosa and Avenida Victoria, dubbed “the trench”. Race times are relaxed and are not on a set schedule, but spectators can follow the Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/ OfficeChairRace.

Plan on going to the office chair races?

Tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram @s_c_times and on Twitter @SCTimesNews with #SCTimes and #SanClemente. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY - In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com.

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Integrative Chiropractic

647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

Exquisite Epoxy Concrete Floor Coatings

Lic.: 1020002, 949.632.8400 exquisiteepoxy.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Shoreline Dental Studio Kristen Ritzau, DDS

122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com

Ricky, 949.973.4128 Pet care –Insured & Bonded

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

Salon Bleu

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

SC Pool & Spa Works

1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

Waterbabies Swim School

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Erin Yoder & Forest Monroe Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yoder of San Clemente announce the engagement of their daughter Erin to Forest Monroe, son of John and Loretta Monroe of Arcadia. Erin graduated from San Clemente High School in 2009. Forest is a 2008 graduate of Loyola High School. They met while attending The University of Southern California, where Erin played volleyball and Forest water polo. Erin is currently working on her Doctorate at USC ‘s Chan Occupational Therapy School.

Forest works with his father John at the insurance company Sullivan, Curtis and Monroe in Irvine. A June 2018 wedding is planned.

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

FOR SALE SUMMER TOYS 9’-0” Longboard Shaped by Ben Aipa, good condition...$150.00 Mountain Bike, Kona Coiler, full suspension, disk brakes, new tires...$500.00 Bob 949.493.5597 FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPIES AVAILABLE Adorable blue puppies. Won’t last long. 3 weeks old. Local breeder with great references. Call or text Tawnya at 909-496-5616 or 909-583-1208.

CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point.

Carpet and flooring remnants also available. Mike 949-240-1545.

GARAGE SALES ANNUAL FORESTER RANCH KIDS & PET PARADE JULY 4TH! Join us for an informal, fun family event! 9 a.m. on the greenbelt path, next to Forester Ranch sign at corner of Calle Nueva & Camino De Los Mares. Bring your bikes, trikes, strollers and wagons decorated to honor Independence Day! Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Event is about 20 minutes long. Hope to see you there!

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

HELP WANTED WHO WANTS TO WORK FROM HOME? Looking for a few professionals to join ​the new VASAYO OC team. Sales bkgrnd optional – will train. Straight commissions, weekly pay and more. Contact me for more info & to set up time to connect : jackiechristiansen777@gmail.com (949) 391-1889 ​ LINE COOK AT THE COACH HOUSE Please send your resume to bfolgner@thecoachhouse.com.

Must be willing to work nights and weekends.

WANTED STAMPS! Buying Large Postage Stamp Collections. Nick (619) 672-0434

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

Page 13

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Crosby Colapinto won the USA Surfing Championship for the boys U-16 divison .

Photo: Courtesy of USA Surfing/Sean Evans/Water Work Media

National Champions and Beyond Cole Houshmand, Crosby Colapinto win national titles at 2017 USA Surfing Championship

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

F

orget the sharks; there are a lot of other hungry predators in the water in San Clemente—namely the next generation of surfers. Last week, the USA Surfing Championships landed at Lowers Trestles, and even with much-heralded talent showing up from around the country, it was the locals who stole the show.

Thanks to what might be the best south swell of the summer so far, Lowers was pumping and the kids were ripping. For San Clemente’s Cole Houshmand and Crosby Colapinto, the combination of national championships and generous swell provided them with opportunities to log career performances.

Houshmand might be the hardest working young surfer in town right now. Winning the boys under 18 division to claim the Governor’s Cup, the achievement is proof that with copious dedication and ample hard work, dreams can come true.

Over the last couple of years, Houshmand has been battling it out among the amateur

GROM OF THE WEEK

DAVID ECONOMOS

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

hile all the attention last week was focused on the point at Lowers and the USA Surfing Championships, shortly thereafter the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s National Championships took to the water up in Huntington Beach. Needless to say, it has

San Clemente Times June 29-July 5, 2017

ranks. With success on the NSSA level, he’s also been carving out a spot on the WSL Junior circuit and Qualifying Series, but his win at the USA Surfing Championships elevates him to another level.

Houshmand’s moment to shine came with less than a minute on the clock in the final. As the seconds ticked away, a solid four-wave set appeared on the horizon. Hawaii’s Cody Young had been maintaining a slim lead throughout the heat, but with the number of waves in the set, every surfer was going to take a chance. Houshmand drew first blood. By the time he hit the cobblestones on the beach he had thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the wave. With an explosive combination of maneuvers, he sliced his way to a 9.6 score.

It was more than enough to put him in first place. One wave seemingly transformed him from grommet to national champ.

“It’s pretty hard to believe right now,” stammered Houshmand. “I knew I had a shot when that set came, and I just had to make the most of my opportunity. I was

been a big week for the groms.

Picking up where Crosby Colapinto and Cole Houshmand left off, the Grom of the Week nod this lap around the track goes to San Clemente’s David Economos, who came out swinging in Surf City. Thanks to another round of fun-sized south swell and some epic summertime conditions, the powerful regular-footer got rolling in the early heats and hasn’t looked back since.

Blitzing his way through the highly competitive Explorer Men’s division, he’s made it through the semifinals and was slated to surf in the final for the national

able to do a few turns and not fall off. I’m so stoked right now.”

Not to be outdone by an elder classman, Crosby Colapinto also rolled. Making the most of the all-time conditions, his parents posted up on the sand to watch the drama unfold while his brother, Griffin, stood in as his coach.

“My brother’s down here giving me some tips. He’s telling me to take the second wave of the set; it’s the cleanest one, just things like that to think about while I’m out in the water,” said Crosby.

If Griffin’s career as a pro surfer doesn’t work out (which doesn’t seem like it’s going to be an issue) he should definitely consider coaching. Whatever he told Crosby must have worked, because he was dominant in the under 16 final. To date, he’s had some career success, but to win a division at the USA Surfing Championships is a big deal. It’s one of the most coveted amateur contests on the schedule and will serve as a springboard for bigger and better things in the months and years to come.

“The surf’s been pumping all week, and to be able to come down from the house in the morning for a surf, then go back home for a good breakfast before heading back down for the day, those kinds of things make a difference,” Crosby added.

More than just a contest, the 2017 USA Surfing Championships was also an opportunity to make a very big announcement.

On the awards podium, CEO Greg Cruse said the USA Surfing Program was now the official governing body of America’s Olympic Surfing Program, which will eventually represent the United States at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“It’s been a two-and-a-half-year journey, super difficult, but I’m happy to announce that we are the Olympic governing body of surfing,” said Cruse.

For Houshmand and Colapinto, as well as all the other winners at the USA Surfing Championships, what this means is that they will now be part of a flagship program to begin training America’s first generation of Olympic surfers. The program will adhere to all the same rules, guidelines and practices like other national Olympic governing bodies, such as U.S. Swimming or U.S. Skiing. It’s a long time until 2020, but the wheels of progress are quickly picking up speed. Who knows? In three years we could see either of these surfers standing atop a podium with gold hanging from their necks. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 62-65 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-7’ Poor-Fair Thursday: Mostly SSW swell wtih minor NW windswell mixing in. Look for mostly kneewaist-chest high (2-3’+) surf across the region.

Standout spots hit the shoulder high+ (4’+) range on sets. Light/variable to light onshore flow early, before trending to a light sea-breeze by midday, topping out at light+ to locally moderate levels by afternoon.

Cole Houshmand is lifted by surfers after winning the USA Surfing Championships boys U-18 division on Thursday, June 22, at Lower Trestles. Photo: Courtesy of USA Surfing/Sean Evans/Water Work Media

title on Wednesday, June 28. Economos is also entered to compete in the Open Men’s division, which gets underway on Friday and runs through the weekend.

There are a lot of talented, title-worthy surfers from San Clemente and Dana Point surfing in the NSSA Nationals this week. Economos is already well-positioned to bring one title home, but there are certainly others contending. Who knows, by week’s end we could be looking at a few national champions around town.

The San Clemente Times will update this story at www.sanclementetimes.com. SC Page 14

Outlook: Fun size SSW swell continues through the weekend, while small NW windswell mixes in the background. Surf is mainly waist high with sets to chest/shoulder high at standouts.

Conditions are best early in the mornings when the winds are lightest. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

David Economos. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

www.sanclementetimes.com