Public Apology, Policy Adjustment & More...
Up until the past couple of weeks everyone that I met or heard from that had an opinion about this site had only good/positive things to say, and they offered me encouragement. Following the dismal swell showings of last winter and more recently the equally meager offerings of the summer months, my excitement and exuberance over the prospects of the coming season at Rincon as expressed through this site is at present being met by what seems to be a riptide of resistance. Long story short: I feel like current is dragging right where I least expected to go....right into the impact zone. All along I have left the door open to candid feedback, and as a reasonable person I am willing to take in what any of you has to offer in terms of constructive criticism. Rincon Surf Blog is a "work in progress". I am sort of in a quandry here because I am attempting something that apparently nobody has done before me. With my conscience as my guide, and following what I believed was an honorable moral compass, my intent all along has been solely to share of spread the stoke and promote a sense of community among my fellow surfers. More than shooting pictures of the surf, or writing about surfing here, my true first love is surfing Rincon with my friends, and I do not want to do anything the would jeapordize any of my relationships either in or out of the water. I know better than to try to fight a rip tide...
With the above in mind, a few people have offered suggestions as to how I should proceed. One was to not post any surf forecasts -- adding to the hype and potential crowds in any way, as Surfline, Wet Sand, and the others all do a fine job of all of that without any assistance from me. I will comply with this request as my postings were really just a reflection of my own personal excitement - which I have no problem containing to myself or my own circle of closest friends. Please note that there will always be days -- probably the biggest and most perfect days -- when both Rincon parking lots and the freeway underpass will be plugged with vehicles. This is a reality for which I hold no responsibility... Now, the same person who advised me to abstain from posting forecasts felt that it was fair and reasonable for me to write about Rincon sessions post facto. However, still yet another person who offered their opinion said that was not cool, so you can see the difficulty and challenges that I face with trying to figure out how to please everybody and keep the peace (while at the same time being able to exercise my own "creative freedom"). Still yet another issue that has come up in the past couple of weeks has been the recognition that I do from time to time post some of my photographic work in the Surfline.com online photo gallery (a.k.a. the so-called "Greatest Collection of Surf Photos on the Net"). If the consensus is that this is also something that might preclude me from remaining in good status with the locals of Rincon, then so be it. My priorities are clear. In my profession (as a psychotherapist), I get paid to just listen. I'm not a Buddhist in the most pure sense, but I do believe in Karma. Life is too short to get hung up in conflict. I think I'll paddle the other way...
So... If anyone else cares to offer their 2 cents, kindly either follow-up in the comments section below this posting, or just send me an email. Click here to email the editor.
Please accept my heartfelt apology.
Sincerely,
--Jon Shafer
Announcement Regarding the Dan Merkel Gallery
The Dan Merkel Gallery, in collaboration with the Downtown Organization and neighboring art venues, is excited to present 1st Thursday, an evening of art and culture in Downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of every month, participating downtown galleries will stay open from 5-8 p.m. (or later) to offer free access to art in a fun and social environment. The next 1st Thursday will be Thursday, October 4th. Enjoy an evening of culture by strolling the Historic Arts District’s 30-plus participating venues. These venues will offer special programming such as artists’ receptions, music, demonstrations, lectures, wine tastings, and of course, an array of artwork. As you wander between galleries, take in the live musical performances and interactive exhibits outside on State Street.
The Dan Merkel Gallery will be featuring, local surf break: Little Rincon at its finest! Come see this and other spectacular panoramics all shot on film and reproduced at the highest quality available. Dan Merkel Gallery features a diversity of subjects – in the water and on terra firma – from Merkel’s travels around the continent and the world, where he captures the intense, true color that the elements provide. Travis Loughride will be playing an eclectic mix of acoustic guitar and Beckmen Vineyards will be pouring wine.
In addition to visiting our venue, be sure to explore the other participating venues. Listings of the specific programming offered at each gallery and descriptions of all public performances and interactive exhibits are available at www.santabarbaradowntown.com/go.
Make the Historic Arts District the place to be on Thursday nights! Mark your calendars and join us Downtown for 1st Thursday on October 4th.
The Dan Merkel Gallery is located at 632 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
High Shredability - Surf Show on VBS.tv
Maybe some of you will find this interesting. Will require high-speed Internet connection.
Hi Rincon Surf Blog. Just wanted to drop you a note about a new surf show on VBS.
Okay so about the only thing I can manage to do in an ocean is splash in waves and that's about it. So I am no expert at all on surfing, but I do know an entertaining show when I see one and High Shredability is that kind of show. Here is what host Tyler Manson has to say on the show:
"Welcome to Hi Shredability. This is a show that profiles surfers who are actually doing and making stuff. It isn't exactly a day-in-the-life of pro surfers deal, and it isn't a "Cribs" type of show. I guess we are still figuring out exactly what's going on, but we are trying to be personal with the sufers and maybe even say something about the state of the surf industry today. The first five or so episodes show basic profiles of people we think are doing something rad, and the common thread is that they all like to float around in the ocean and shred."
**NOTE: PLEASE ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO DOWNLOAD (large video files)
Featured Surfer: Alex Knost
I liked being kept in the loop. Although I do not call Rincon "my spot", I do drive by it on my way to my favorite reef/point/beachbreak.
So, to clarify, are you keeping up the site?
Hi Jed,
To clarify,
1) I don't plan on pulling the plug on the site at this time.
2) I am soliciting guidance/feedback regarding what is appropriate and/or acceptable content for the site.
3) I will not be posting swell forecasts or predictions, leaving that to the site that specialize in that (viz. Surfline.com and Wetsand.com, ...etc.).
4) I'll try to be a little more discreet about swell event so as not to disrupt the local flow.
5) I'll more or less abstain from posting my surfing pictures in the surfline.com gallery since there are those that feel that doing so is "Marketing Rincon".
I will try my hardest to find an acceptable balance content-wise, remaining mindful of the greater interests of the local community...
Peace to everyone,
--Jon
I understand with people being so protective, but pics after the fact would be great to see. Everybody knows about Rincon. If they aren't surfing it already, they aren't going to come just because of some picture on a blog.
Maybe the Pit Crew should stop selling Pit Crew t-shirts in the parking lot if they don't want to "market Rincon".
Hey Jon, I appreciate you at least being sensitive to the conflicts involved with publishing so much material about a classic spot. I dont consider myself a local, but I am 27 and have surfed there since I was about 8 when my father first took me there (he surfed it in the 60and 70's) .
I am mostly irritated by a group of self-proclaimed locals now marketing the spot with super cool t-shirts n stuff like its fking disneyland or something. I think you are pretty much correct about what you should and shouldnt post. Let people figure out when its good on their own, but good photos after the fact are nice to see. Its such a well known spot that I dont think posting pictures of its perfect waves is going to make that much of a difference. I also encourage Jon the author and all of his readers to not limit themselves to surfing rincon, there are alot of good spots around and everyone should mix it up where they go. Since finding this site, I have enjoyed all the information concerning the local issues, events and concerns.
Good site Jon, keep it up.