Local Surfers, Shapers, and Watermen/women to be Honored at Public Opening



Santa Barbara is a proven powerhouse, a hotbed of talent that has stoked the flames of the global surfing community since the late 1950's.  From world-class shapers such as Al Merrick and Renny Yater, to world champion surfers like Tom Curren, Shaun Tomson, and Kim Mearig, Santa Barbara's influence is immeasurable.  These legendary names as well as others like George Greenough will be honored with a permanent full-time exhibit at the SBMM. 


Schedule of Events for Saturday April 12th

• 12-1 pm: Book Signing: Surfing: Women of the Waves by Linda Chase

"Women have had a place in surf culture since the sport began. Join us for a book signing with author Linda Chase, whose book profiles the history and all types of women of the waves."

• 1-1:30 pm: Marilyn S. Tennity Surfing Exhibit Opening Celebration

"Join us for the community opening and ribbon cutting for the Maritime Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, the Marilyn S. Tennity Surfing Exhibit. Memorabilia includes shoulder-mounted camera and kneeboard used by George Greenough. Surfboard display includes those used in competition by Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Kim Mearig and Bobby Martinez."

• 1:30-2:30 pm: Book Signing: Surfer's Code by Shaun Tomson

"World champion surfer Shaun Tomson will be signing copies of his book, Surfer's Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding through Life, in which he shares the life lessons he's gathered from decades of surfing-from his boyhood adventures in South Africa to the world tour in the late 1970s to the business world today."

• 2-2:20 pm: Surfing Exhibit Tour with SBMM Curator (Q & A to Follow)

"Join SBMM Curator, Jennifer Wisniewski for a tour of SBMM’s newest permanent exhibit as she highlights local surfing history and discusses the artifacts that bring this unique exhibit to life."

For more information please visit http://sbmm.org/

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High Shredability on vbs.tv

Conclusion of Pipe Masters & more

"Hi All,

The show about surf, surfing and surfers shreds on this week. Hi Shredability wraps up their piece on the Pipeline Masters. We hang out with Mick Fanning and spend about $800 bucks on Mai Tais. Then we watch what happens when great surfers have to deal with not so great conditions even if it is the finals of Pipeline. Like they say in the episode, this isn't tennis, you can't wait for the court to dry. This is mother nature, and she answers to nobody.

Hanging out with Mick Fanning - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1460784072

The ups and downs of surfing with Mother Nature - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1460747494

Next up this week on Hi Shredability - Dane Reynolds, a 3 part day in the life segment.

You can follow all the episodes here - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1447240447

Oh and if you like the tunes on the show, the band is called Beat Buttons - http://www.myspace.com/beatbuttons

Thanks for watching!

Rory (Ahearn)"

One Winter Story to benefit Santa Barbara Channelkeeper


Sarah Gerhardt drops into a hefty Rincon wall 12.5.07


“ONE WINTER STORY”- CHANNELKEEPER FILM AND MUSIC NIGHT

Award-winning Film to screen April 18 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, as a benefit for Santa Barbara Channelkeeper.
6:30 pm Friday April 18th at the Marjorie Luke Theatre
Tickets $12 on sale at the door beginning at 6 pm
Live music by Omar Cowan and Jason Campbell & the Drive

Join Channelkeeper for a special screening of the award-winning film "One Winter Story", a unique documentary about Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to tow-in surf the outer reefs of Hawaii and to surf the legendary Maverick’s. The award-winning film, made by Hawaii filmmaker Sally Lundburg and San Francisco filmmaker Elizabeth Pepin, is a personal documentary that follows Sarah as she learns to surf big waves with her mentor, Ken Bradshaw, becoming the first woman in the world to tow-in surf, and eventually to Maverick's. “One Winter Story” is an unprecedented glimpse into the male-dominated world of big-wave surfing from an unusual and seldom seen perspective - a woman’s. The surfing footage is an awesome sight but the fine, intensely immediate rendering of Sarah's experience is this unforgettable film's real reward. “One Winter Story” traces Sarah's strength and determination to their roots in a beautiful montage of film, voice, memory and emotion.

The filmmakers will be on hand to introduce their film and give a special Q&A session afterwards. Live music by Omar Cowan and Jason Campbell & the Drive and a raffle will precede the film. Tickets are $12 and will be available at the door beginning at 6 pm (cash/check only please) or by calling Channelkeeper at 563-3377.

For additional information on One Winter Story or Frank Films, please go to the Frank Films website: www.frankfilms.net

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is a local non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds through citizen action, education, field work and enforcement. Channelkeeper works on the water and in the community to monitor local waterways, restore aquatic ecosystems, advocate for clean water, enforce environmental laws, and educate and engage citizens in identifying and devising solutions to local pollution problems.

For more information on Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, please visit www.sbck.org

Surfers Share the Stoke Despite Marginal Conditions



Surfers of all ages and from as far North as Santa Cruz and as far South as San Diego converged upon the cobblestones of Rincon Point this weekend to participate in this innaugural event organized by The Groundswell Society - the brainchild of Glenn Henning, founder of the Surfrider Foundation, and former World Champion surfer Shaun Tomson. Members of the Rincon Pit Crew assisted with event planning and execution.

"Back in the 90's we focused on the environment, and cleaning up the water with the Cleanwater Classic," said Henning. It appears that a major shift in concerns has occurred; the intent now is to focus on the social climate between surfers, and to improve the entire psychosocial experience of the sport that so many now share and love.

The novel format of this event was quite like no other. Rather than surfers competing against each other for the best waves and highest scores, surfers were awarded points for actually sharing waves, all in an effort to reinforce the idea that even in the most crowded conditions, everyone can have fun.

The event began early Saturday with a ritual blessing performed by Chumash ceremonial leader and Dolphin Dancer Mati ("Little Hawk") Waiya.

Unlike other surf contests, no specific competition areas were demarcated or enforced. Non-contestants were free to join in and free surf amongst the contestants.

Henning said that he chose Rincon as the location for the first event of many to follow for several reasons, but mostly because it is such an incredible natural arena for the sport. He added that at this location the event could be staged with minimal environmental impact.

Don't Forget to Share the Stoke this Weekend at The 'Con


Ready for Launch


Goin' DEEP...

Mother Nature appears to be cooperating with the organizers of the "Sharing the Stoke" Event, with a decent-sized swell and clean conditions forecast for Saturday.  Weather may be a factor for Sunday, but I don't want to jinx it by showing much concern over it at this point.  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at Rincon this weekend.  I should be there shooting, so please stop by and introduce yourself if you happen to see me there...

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All For a Few Perfect Waves...

Who Was Dora?

"Miki took to his grave many stories that no one will ever know, but this book will also tell many and give new insight into his life. In the end only a select group knew the real person. I’m not sure I did-but almost.”  
-- Kelly Slater, best-known surfer in the world.

"For fifty years, surfing in Southern California has been shrouded in a myth wrapped in an enigma by the name of Miki Dora. Now, we have the facts. A magnificent book."
-- Kevin Starr, California Librarian Emeritus and Professor at USC


"In times like these it turns out not only is there an oral history of Miki Dora, there must be. Great reportage."
-- Stephen Gaghan, surfer, screenwriter/director
(Traffic, Syriana)


"The most renegade spirit the sport has yet to produce."
-- New York Times

Watch a video of Miki Dora here:  Miki Dora Vid

Click on the picture to learn more about the new book.

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Bra Boys

BRA BOYS is a documentary film narrated by Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe about the real-life brotherhood, murder and family loyalties of  Australia’s warring gangs --- the surfing “Bra Boys” of Maroubra, a beach side suburb of Sydney.  These are not the laid-back, “Hey, dude,” seaside slackers of Southern California legend. 
 
Written, directed and produced by Sunny Abberton, himself a childhood resident of Maroubra’s public housing projects, BRA BOYS traces the cultural evolution of the much maligned --- and tattooed --- youthful surfing community, and in particular the Abberton brothers:  Sunny, Koby, Jai and Dakota, one charged with murdering a Sydney “standover man” (Australian slang for an extortionist who uses physical violence, or threats, to extract payment on behalf of another), another pursuing a professional surf career but charged as an accessory in his brother’s murder trial, another trying to hold the family together, and the youngest brother --- whose sole inheritance is his siblings’ national notoriety.
 
BRA BOYS is the first full-length film project undertaken by, and officially sanctioned by, Bra Boys themselves.  The film shows their success in professional big wave surfing, their international reputation for hard partying and rough justice.  They have a running battle with authorities and rely absolutely and solely on one another in order to fit into a society in which they are otherwise displaced and, often, disinterested.  The film explores the historical stigma associated with Australia’s rebellious surf community, as exemplified by the residents of Maroubra and their social displacement. 
 
Using archival shots, blended with new footage and interviews, BRA BOYS presents a dynamic portrait of the current “surf vision,” a story that is at once compassionate, compelling and confrontational: fights for against-the-odds success, predictable failures.  Yet, ultimately, the film’s narrative illustrates how even amidst the burdens of a stigmatized legacy, a new generation can hope for better. 
 
BRA BOYS opens Friday, April 11th in New York City at The Quad Theatre, 34 West 13th Street, and Long Island.  (Simultaneoulsy, the film will be opening on 15 screens in Los Angeles and Southern California, as well as six screens in Hawaii.)

http://www.braboysfilm.com
http://www.myspace.com/braboysfilm

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ARCHY COMES TO LIFE


A documentary film on surf icon Matt Archbold’s life is set to be told this coming spring throughout theaters across America...


LOS ANGELES, CA – March 4th 2008:

Billygoat Productions in conjunction with sponsors, RVCA, Surfer Magazine, Santa Cruz Surfboards and Hoven in association with Studio411 is proud to present Archy – a documentary film on Matt “Archy” Archbold.

Directed by Bill Ballard (The Mystic, Blue Crush), Archy chronicles one of the most fascinating and talented surf icons throughout his career as top-amateur, dynamic and innovative pro, troubled athlete, and most of all a survivor.

Since exploding onto the surf scene at 14 years old, Archy’s surfing and style have influenced more than three generations of surfers.

A variety of professional surfers, musicians, actors and noted industry leaders lend their voices and experiences to the chapters of Archy’s story including the likes of Martin Potter, Chris Mauro, Art Brewer, Bruce Irons, Christian Fletcher, Dino Andino, Moses Paskowitz, Sunny Garcia, Herbie Fletcher and Garth Tarlow.

The film is narrated by rock legend, Henry Rollins.

The world premier for Archy is scheduled for Thursday 10th April in Newport Beach, CA. at the Lido Theater with a national tour, hosted by Director Bill Ballard, set to follow starting in Hermosa Beach on Friday 18th April.

The film will be available in both domestic and international surf shops from Tuesday 17th June onwards.