Monday, July 19, 2010

Gerry Lopez paddling the Deschutes River

Ever since I heard about Gerry Lopez moving inland, away from the waves, to Oregon, I wondered if he had just completely lost it. How he could surf for so long, and give it up for  mountains and snowboarding? On the other hand, if he did it so could I, move away from the beach, and try other things. I gave up surfing when I lived in upstate NY...but it's not something I plan to do again! If I had only known about Stand Up paddleboarding, I might have put the Hudson River to better use! Now I see that he never gave up watersports completely. He stand up paddles, and shapes boards, out in the mountains, and wilderness. Not many people I know who surf would move this far from the ocean, but I don't know many Gerry Lopez's either, a truly unique, and daring surfing pioneer...

Friday, July 9, 2010

Doheny Beach

In the summertime in Orange County the waves are blown out, sloppy, and flat sometimes...
Doheny seems to be the go to spot to get away fromt he pesky south winds. Doheny was not always the way it is today, with it's various breaks, one being boneyards. There once was a wave named Killer Dana, hence the surf shop being named after it that broke from the foot of the headlands of Dana Point, and onward through what is now a harbor, all the way to the beach called Doheny, or Doho for short. What Doho lacks in size it makes up for in an abundance of peaks. An easy soft wave, but a fun wave still. Surf camps also frequent this beach in the summer, which means you should stay clear of softops, brightly colored "Roxy" or "Girl in the Curl" rashguard wearing kids, and anyone else. There will probably be very few adept surfers out at midday. This means you have a better chance of getting that set wave. It also means you have just as good a chance of getting smacked with a flying board. People new to the sport of surfing can rarely hold onto or control their boards, let alone stand up. When they do stand, they rarely look where they are going, so surf at your own risk, unless you want to get hit with a stray board, as was the case today with me. Have fun out there in the summertime surf, but remember,  your best chance to avoid collisions is to surf near the "awesome" surfers. You may get less waves from them, but they will not kick out their boards at your head. They will share the waves, if you don't drop in on everyone. The surfers without the leashes are usually the ones who know what they are doing, and rarely lose a board. There has been all kinds of swell this week. One day this week, Monday was the big one. When it was double overhead at Trestles, the sets were breaking way outside near the docked sailboats in front of Doheny. I caught an amazing set wave, maybe fifty feet outside where everyone was sitting. I waited awhile for it, but it came, and connected to the inside, all the way past the jetty. It's a wave with many faces, and on really big days, you might even see a trace of the famous...Killer Dana!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Art Walks in Orange County

Art walks are free, and make a cheap date, plus they can be fun for all ages!


1st week of month


First Thursdays art walks in Laguna Beach


Fullerton First Friday artwalks downtown


First Saturday art walks in Santa Ana


3rd week of the month


Third Wednesday artwalks in Huntington Beach


Santa Ana Art lofts - 3rd Saturdays


Last week of the month


San Clemente - Last Thursdays

Friday, July 2, 2010

Take a Stand at the Stand in Laguna Beach - Try the Tamales!


I stopped by the Stand in Laguna Beach, since it looks too cute to pass up. There was more than sandwiches, and I would definately come back. The vegan tamale was good, for my tastes, with a generous side of salsa covering half the plate. Good thing I like tamales with my salsa. At $4.95, it did not break the bank to stop by, and refuel. I will be coming back there again, and possibly splurge on a combo meal, which would have run me about $9. I love the wooden booths outside, it's a perfect spot to read a morning paper.