SBSC's Hippie President Deb Trauntvein glides to the right Saturday at Hobson's...


Contest winners "Prom Queen" Kathy Goeden and "Superman" Brett Fraley pose for a pic before paddling out...

This past weekend, the Santa Barbara Surf Club joined the Ventura Surf Club for their annual Halloween weekend camp-out at Hobson's County Park.  Despite rainy skies, high tides, and near-flat conditions on Saturday, the costume contest kept both participants and observers smiling.  Below, "Surf Cowboy" Dave Johnson of Progressive Surfboards fame ropes in a nice bottom turn.

Sunday Morning Swell Turns on @ Rincon

As if on cue, the WNW swell that forecasters had been calling for turned on early Sunday morning, providing pitching overhead barrels from The Rivermouth all the way to The Callbox to the delight of dawn patrollers.  The crowd was described as "intense" and "aggressive", mostly likely evidence of the shortage of "real" surf available so far this season.  By mid-day the tide began choking off the swell, and 20-knot + winds turned the conditions into "Victory-at-Sea", leaving only the protected areas such as The Cove as rideable.  By Monday the swell was gone, leaving as quickly as it came.  Look for the next shot at surf coming later this weekend if conditions hold up as predicted...


Local Surf Photographer David Orias' Reception Coming to Samy's



Local surf photographer David Orias is having a show at Samy's Camera on Chapala Street in Santa Barbara. The reception will be Thursday, November 6 from 5 to 7 PM. His photos will be on display for most of the month of November at Samy's Camera on Chapala Street in their classroom in the back.

His photography ranges from the abstract to high speed frozen action of surfing competitions and free surfing. His signature style is slow shutter speed photos of waves and surfers which create an almost "painterly" feel to his photos.

Photos displayed are from Hawaii, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Oxnard.

Prints can be ordered at the time of the show or by email. All prints are made at Samy's Camera. 20 x 30 inch prints are for sale at 125 dollars. Larger and smaller print sizes will be available to order as well.

Drop by Thursday to meet the photographer in person or come by the store in November to see the prints first hand.


Surfrider Foundation's "Ocean Vision" Benefit November 5th - January 16th