This image that I captured during this year's Rincon Classic is pretty trippy, don't you think?  Like something out of a Jules Verne novel...


Loa Tree Announces Special Summer Offerings



Alaia Redwood Craze Takes Root Locally

David Fortson is proud to announce that he's got an available supply of Redwood Surfboard/Alaia Blanks that came from locally reclaimed redwood.  They measure 9 feett tall, 3/4 inches thick and 18 inches wide -- perfect blanks for making your own Alaia board or making a beautiful board to hang on your wall.  They're super eco-friendly.  Also available are custom designed Alaia's by JayaWave, hand-crafted by accomplished surfer/woodworker John  Birchim. 

Click here to see some good photos of blanks and finished products.  If you'd like to speak to David live, feel free to call him at (805) 450-2357.  Or simply email him at roots@loatree.com.  

www.loatree.com
An Eco-Lifestyle Collective
...for inspiring lives. 

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“THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES” BUST OPEN THE DOORS OF THE MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATER THIS WEEKEND

Surf Film Celebrating Women Who’ve Paved the Way is An Official Selection of the Ventura Film Festival

 

(VENTURA, CA. — July 2, 2009)  “I never wanted to surf like a girl,” smiles 64-year-old surf legend Linda Benson, “But now it’s different…they’re really good!”  For women who have paddled head-first into a once male dominated sport, surfing is not only a daily passion, but a way of life.  Battling fierce tides and stereotypes, female surfers from every decade are connected by a common thread:  they are “The Women in the Waves.” 

This Sunday, July 5, 2009 @ 6pm, The Women and the Waves presented by Surf Her Skin Care, screens at the Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut, Ventura, Ca.  Shot in High Definition in California, Mexico and Hawaii, the independent film features surfing legend, Linda Benson, 80’s champion, Kim Mearig, musician and shaper, Ashley Lloyd, and more!  Producer Heather Hudson will be in attendance for a Q &.A following the 48 minute film.  “I wanted to give recognition to the women, famous or not, who have paved the way for other women to surf.  Each generation has made it easier for the next to get out in the water.”


Cast:

Linda Benson, Ashley Lloyd, Heather Tiddens, Kim Mearig, Robin Janizeufski-Hesson “Zeuf”, Deb Trauntvein, Jennifer Useldinger, Aubrey Falk, Rachel Harris & Shakira Westdorp

Music by:

Franklin for Short, Saltwater Cowboys (Denny Aaberg, Sam Adams), Ashley Lloyd, Seth Pettersen, Rory Anton, McKinley, Kathy Fry, David Greenbaum, Ian Fry, Brian Gore, Glenn R. Burke, Michael Lehman, Icarus Music, & Dr. Surf

Exectutive Producer, Director: Heather Hudson
Co-Producer, Co-Director, Camera, Editor: Peck Euwer

For more information please contact:

Graciegirl LLC / Executive Producer, Heather Hudson
phone:    (805)708-4608
e-mail:    graciegirlsurf@gmail.com 
website:  www.thewomenandthewaves.com

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Surfline
Know Before You Go

PHOTO:  J SHAFER





NBVC Pt. Mugu Now Accepting Entry Forms For 2nd Annual Surf Contest
August 22 - 23, 2009

Don't miss this extremely rare opportunity to compete at one of the most heralded yet inaccessible breaks on the entire California Coast, legendary Point Mugu on the Ventura County Naval Base. 

Open registration runs  July 8 – 17, 2009.  Advanced registration is required!

Entry Fee: Military $20 / Civilian $100

Divisions: Body Boarder, Juniors, Women, Longboard, Military, Open

Please visit the Navy's Navy's website for more information.

Santa Barbara, CA - What happens when contemporary art meets surfboard wax? Avid surfers and contemporary artists Sean Anderson and Benjamin Anderson in collaboration with Zog’s Sex Wax  have made the magic happen. With a nod from Mr. Zog, the duo has created a series of multicolored wax sculptures, constructed completely out of surfboard wax. Art collectors and surfers, meet Sexy Skull.

Sexy Skulls will be released at the opening of  Rogue Wave, a contemporary survey of surf art on the 27th of June at the Anderson Art Collective. Seven limited editions of the skull will be available, each adhering to Zog’s world famous scents and colors. “We are very excited to merge an icon of surf culture with the contemporary art world … and make it smell good,” said the Anderson Brothers.

Since 1972 Mr. Zog has dedicated himself to manufacturing and marketing surf-related products including Sex Wax, the undisputed worldwide leader in surfboard wax. Sex Wax Inc. is located south of Santa Barbara in Carpinteria, just a stone's throw from the world famous wave at Rincon and a brisk walk from the Anderson Brothers’ Studio.

Sexy Skull is just one of the projects underway by the entrepreneurial Anderson Brothers, each a successful artist in his own right. “The collaborations allow us to pursue tangents that individually we might have considered too unorthodox,” note the siblings who say there is another unprecedented release in the pipeline for the fall.
 
With their father, veteran fine artist Ron Anderson, they have opened Anderson Art Collective, a contemporary gallery located in the historic Henry Fish Seed Company building at the entrance to Carpinteria State Beach. After their successful inaugural show in May, they are now presenting Rogue Wave, a contemporary surf show that Santa Barbara’s Independent art critic Aly Comingore says “might just be the surf art exhibit of the year”. ( www.Independent.com/news/2009/jun/21/rogue-wave-open-anderson-art-collective/ )

Rogue Wave opens in Carpinteria on Saturday June 27th at 410 Palm Avenue with a daylong reception from 10am to 10pm benefiting the Surfrider Foundation. Five percent of sales and all proceeds from the sale of refreshments by Island Brewery, go to the local chapter. ( www.Surfrider.org/SantaBarbara )

The seven limited editions of Sexy Skull can only be purchased through Anderson Art Collective. For more information and inquiries please contact the gallery at 805.684.8783 or log on to www.AndersonArtCollective.com.

Tasty or what?  Drive South earlier this weeks yields delicious variety of succelent tubes.


Southern-Hemi Swells Continue to Light Up South Coast

A brief drive down the coast on Tuesday revealed that Southern-Hemi swell energy had reached its peak, and every South-facing spot that I passed was firing (and I mean every!).  What a treat this has been, a nice run of quality Summer surf  following arguably the worst Winter season in history.  The best news is that the prospects for this to continue are more than favorable, as El Niño has taken up residence in the Eastern Pacific.



If there was any doubt about the possible retuen of El Niño, here's the most recent public statement from NOAA.


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Surf Happens to Host Surf Day Benefit For Child Cancer Victims Saturday
Second installment of "Ohana Sessions" to celebrate "Spirit of Aloha"



Chris Keet, founder of Surf Happens writes "Our summer is in full swing with our camps going off for the next twelve weeks along with private and group lessons, and our Ohana Sessions. I can hardly believe that this is our tenth summer of operating... kids that were ten when they started surfing with us are now 20... half a lifetiime for them, almost a third for me..

Anyway, I am sending you the press release for our Ohana Session #2 happening this coming Saturday June 20th @ Santa Claus Lane. For the fourth straight year we are hosting a learn to surf day for kids and their families afflicted by cancer. It is so amazing to see the healing power of the ocean in the smiles of these brave kids.

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Honor the Ocean & Your Dad: International Surfing Day/Father's Day Beach Clean-up Sponsored by Surfrider Santa Barbara this Sunday

The Santa Barbara Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, in conjunction with Surfrider National, celebrates International Surfing Day and Father's Day with a beach clean-up at Rincon County Beach Park, Sunday June 21, at 10:00 am at upper parking lot.  Join us for this fun and rewarding event to clean the beach and honor the ocean and our fathers.  Free giveaway of T-shirts and surf gear to those who collect the most trash!  Post clean-up surf at Rincon (waves permitting). Event open to all public (not just dads and kids).  All ages welcome.

WHAT: International Surfing Day/Father's Day Beach Clean-up
WHEN: Sunday, June 21, 10:00 am
WHERE: Rincon County Beach Park, Hwy 101 at Bates Road exit
WHO: All are welcome
WHY: In recognition of International Surfing Day (Saturday, June 20) and Father's Day, Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter and members of the public will combine efforts to clean the beach at Rincon County Beach Park.

Contact: Sandy Lejeune (805.450.2023)
Chair, Santa Barbara Chapter
Surfrider Foundation

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Help Support the Carp Skate Park Initiative

We are committed to creating a quality skate environment for the citizens and the City of Carpinteria. The progressively designed skatepark will invite skaters and families together in a recreational setting that is enjoyable and safe.
Visit http://www.carpskatepark.org/ for more information!

A picturesque day at Rincon earlier this season...


Surf Culture Abounds This Weekend
Smorgasbord of events helps pass the time during flat periods


Fifth Annual Brandon Yates Memorial This Sunday




Be sure not to miss this exciting event which this year features a surfboard demo as well as beach party.  You will be able to test pilot the latest product offerings from Channel Islands, J7, Lost, Roberts, Resist, Surftech, Wayne Rich, and others, as well as catch some action in the team competition.  Don't miss it!!


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Jensen's Indie Film Nite with Alexis Cottavoz / Stormproof Films

You are cordially invited to an event for filmmaker Alexis Cottavoz at Jensen's Mainstage.  Jensen's is a concert venue that screens short and feature films by local and independent filmmakers in a cozy/intimate environment that has an HD projector and ultimate surround sound.

"Good and Plenty 1 & 2" directed by Alexis Usher-Cottavoz. Alexis is a pro surfer, director, writer, editor, cinematographer, producer, and photographer who documents some of the greatest surfers and oceanscapes in the world. The film includes surfers, Chris Brown, Donavon Frankenreiter, Tom & Joe Curren, Taylor Knox, Josh Bradbury, Chris Malloy and others.  A Q&A follows the event!  Also, Alexis' art and photography will be on display and for sale. Some of the art photography can be found on his website www.stormproof.com.

Here is the rest of the info such as location/time/price:

Jensen's Mainstage
2905 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Showtime date and time is: 6/1 @ 7:30pm. Tickets are only $3.00, and included in the fare is FREE UNLIMITED POPCORN!

Hope to see you there!

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Surf Movie Night Comes to Santa Barbara:  "A Fly in the Champagne"





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Lastly, and Also on Monday, June 1st:  Timberline Surfboard Show at Roy Restaurant!



You are invited to attend the opening reception of the Timberline Surboards show featuring the "functional art" creations of Ryan Lovelace and Raphael Wolfe.  There will be music, appetizers and some drinks on the house for the early birds.

ROY Restaurant
7 West Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA

For more information on these amazing surfboards, please visit www.timberlinesurf.com.



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The Basics of Surfboard Design


If you think that you might be interested in a book that explores exactly how the shape of a surfboard dictates the ride and how to optimize the shape for the desired ride, you might want to check out the book, "The Basics of Surfboard Design".  This resource can be found at http://www.farbeyondsurfing.com/Surfing.html.

This image was NOT taken recently unfortunately...

A Little Bit of Windswell Here, a Little Bit of S. Hemi There, Not Much Locally

Aside from a few random windswell sessions, things have been pretty bleak this past week...  Not much else to do but watch some killer vids of Slater surfing The 'Con...

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Courtesy of Rincon Local Owen Scheid



Lena Shafer models a beautful new oldschool surfboard...

If You Missed the Sacred Craft Expo, You Blew It!





Gerry "Mr. Pipeline, It's a cakewalk" Lopez, arguably one of the most influential surfers of all-time wows the crowd with a compelling presentation of technical excellence combined with the kind of casual style that he epitomized while surfing gaping barrels at The Pipe.





Lord of The Underground surf culture Wayne Rich repping his adopted hometown Santa Barbara was assigned the task of replicating John Bradbury's last semi-gun, a dragster for certain, measuring in at 7'4".



Normally you would have to drive all the way to Orange County to see a show like this.  Let's hope that some promoter out there can bring us more opportunities to come together...

Memorial Paddle-out for Lindsay Rose:
 
A memorial paddle-out for Lindsay Anne Rose will be held Sunday afternoon, April 26, at Refugio State Beach; please arrive at 5 pm for a 5:30 paddle-out. Lindsay enjoyed three wonderful summers at Refugio Junior Guards and won the Most Valuable Guard Award. She was looking forward to working at Refugio Jr. Guards this summer, but tragically, Lindsay left us April 5, 2009, when she died from injuries due to a surfing accident at Sands beach in Goleta. After paddling out, Lindsay lost consciousness for unknown reasons; she was pulled to the beach by her friend.
 
A freshman at Dos Pueblos High School, Lindsay was in the prestigious Engineering Academy, played on the DP soccer team, and played shortstop on the DP softball team. She surfed with the DP Surf Team, and had just started learning to break dance with the DP Break Dance Club.
 
There will also be a celebration of Lindsay's life on Sunday, May 3, at 1 pm at the GVGSA softball fields at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta.
 
In lieu of flowers, the Rose Family requests donations to the Lindsay Rose Memorial fund, c/o Cris Prichard, 846 Santa Marguerita Dr., Goleta, CA 93117. Proceeds to benefit the DP Engineering Academy Foundation and other causes in memory of Lindsay.
 
The parking fee for Refugio State Beach will be waived after 5 pm for anyone attending the paddle-out. If you arrive prior to 5 pm, please note that the regular parking fee of $8 will apply. When you arrive, check in at the Entrance Gate and then gather at the lawn area at the west end of the beach park below the Education Center. Please plan to meet us on the beach by 5:15; the paddle-out will take place at 5:30. Due to limited parking, we strongly encourage carpooling. There is a chance you may have to park on the road ou tside the park and walk in.

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Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the amazing works of Santa Barbara's own Greg Huglin, a world-renowned photographer/filmmaker!

Visit www.TowSurfingAdventures.com and www.DolphinFoto.com/ to get a taste-test of Greg's incredible images...


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Recent Windswell Action


Brad Shafer cruises The Cove during a recent afternoon windswell session at The 'Con.

Over the past week and a half, surfers willing to perform a physical check of the surf have been rewarded with some nice little sessions as low pressure systems continue to through small short-interval energy our way.  With May just a couple of weeks away, get your last licks in before the Queen goes flat for good!