Power to the Peaceful.. No new fees!

Enough Said.

The people have spoken... And someone was listening for a change. Word is in that the Santa Barbara Parks Commission is recommending "No" new fees to be imposed at County Parks. Awesome. Some thought it was a done deal, including Santa Barbara City Council Member, Frank Hotchkiss. "It's nice not to have to pay, I agree, but an old custom that may have to pass." Thanks for the support Frank. I myself was starting to worry about it a bit yesterday, but thanks to the hundreds of people who poured their heart and souls into testimonies that could leave you in tears. And the hundreds, or thousands more, who wrote letters directly to the Board of Supervisors. Wow, are we actually seeing democracy at work? It was standing room only at last Thursdays meeting as single moms, hard core surfers, lawyer types, the rich, the poor, and everyone in between all came together in force to oppose any and all fees at our beaches. Even more showed up today via remote testimony to the last meeting held up in Santa Maria. It's unanimous. Everyone from the Rincon to Guadalupe Dunes agrees. No Fees to go to the Beach!  Suzanne Perkins, a premier realtor from Santa Barbara, and member of Parks Commission Board since 1992 had this to say. "This is democracy at work." See, what did I tell you, it's democracy at work. She probably said more but, I'm sorry to say, and I feel a little guilty about it, I skipped this mornings meeting to surf. Umm. Bob was there too.

I'm also sorry to say... It wasn't good surf either. Still it was enough to get out there and make a few more test turns on my new 6'5" Jumbo Shrimp by master craftsman, John Perry. Yesterday was good, well contestable at least. That was my rational as I got off at Bates and headed south, instead heading north to SB for the meeting.  Had I known they were making a decision today I would have gone for sure. Sorry. But back to the Jumbo Shrimp. Todays surf wasn't what I had in mind when I threw out a few ideas to John after riding the 5'11" Shrimp earlier in the summer. "A little wider, a little thicker, it's a long wave, some fat sections, and oh yeah... I want to put in a single fin box so I can see what the hell Cheyne Horan was thinking when he finished in second place four consecutive times on the pro tour. Umm. Just in case better put in  a FCS Quad configuration too."

Following his own path to 2nd Place.

Yes I'm talking about the StarFin, WingedKeel, the Americas Cup, and Ben Lexan. Okay.. Well if you can do air reverses in your sleep, then you probably don't have the slightest idea of what I'm talking about, but ever since I got a look at JP's Lazor Zap inspired Shrimp, I knew I was going to need a StarFin. It started in May, at LC's annual garage sale. Rincon was looking pretty good from two miles away, but I was stuck here selling stuff I bought at last year at LC's annual garage sale, and talking fins with avid finster RB from Mussel Shoals. He had three StarFins in his collection, not with him, and not really wanting to part with any of them. I settled on a Cobb-o-Fin which reminded me a lot of a Dolphin named Peace, Fin Id #25 out of the Dolphins of the Rincon Catolog. I went out that afternoon and after two big roundhouse cutbacks on one wave, a couple of my best ever, I was satisfied with my purchase. But still the StarFin was intriguing to say the least. Cheyne still sells them direct from Australia though the shipping was a bit high. I finally found one for a fair price with free shipping way, way, way, way north of here, and it's been sitting idle on my desk up till yesterday. How's it work. Hmm. The jury is still out but the early indicators are promising, and Indicator will likely need to start working again before the jury comes in. The surf had a little push yesterday but still was only in the waist/belly high range. The 6'5" felt huge under my feet after riding the 5'11" all summer and I would have never taken it out except for the fact it was brand new. In fact it was burning a hole in the back of the van. There was some surf, not enough, but good enough for me, and you know how easily those VW vans burst into flames. I had no choice. The 6'5" caught waves effortlessly which is exactly what I was looking for. I have very high wave quotas to fill. Still for conditions like this, I've already begun to throw around some ideas of a thicker, wider, quite possibly with a single fin box, FCS Quad, 5'11" Shrimp. Yes, I'd like to get that on the barb-ie as soon as possible mate. For the first couple hours I surfed the Jumbo Shrimp as a quad to get a good baseline for comparison, and I was about to call it a day when everyone got out of the water. The waves while small were still pretty fun, and the high tide was helping with the kelp factor, so I went in and set up the StarFin. By the way, the StarFin is no match for the kelp, you think a big single fin is bad, this thing stops you dead in your track.

Nope It's not backwards.

This fin sat on my desk waiting patiently, as was John, till I had enough money to pay for the 6'5".  It was a few weeks, maybe three, plenty of time to think about it. So I had a certain perceptions. Actually they were dreams, perhaps visions of how it was going to ride. And.. So far..  Right in the pocket of the wave the dream comes true. It feels like I'm on a track, not a bad track, my own track. Kinda of like your own constantly evolving Hot Wheel Track. It also seems to have some drive right on take off which I have been missing ever since I left my beloved Andreini Hulls at home. That initial drive might be coming from the slight V in the nose John put in, the fin, the extra thickness, or a combination of the three, I don't know, but I know I'll be taking off deeper than any of the other shortboards I've been on lately. I'm stoked! I haven't had a chance to get out on the open face much, since there really hasn't been any, and I felt a few quirks here and there. I don't know if it was the fin, the thickness, the width, or the crappy waves, but either way I'm stoked on the ridiculous amount of fin options on this new board. Quad, Single, Thruster, Five, ThreeDom, Winged Keel, it's all there. Time will tell. I don't know about you, but I'm more than ready for this summer and it's damn SE Swells to be over. Now... Back to the parking.

Standing Room Only!

It's not over. This is politics in America. One meeting isn't enough, two meetings isn't enough, three, sorry not enough.  Next this Fee Proposal goes before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.  It will be up to them to decide go against the overwhelming disapproval of the people, or to accept the Parks Commission reccomendation of "No Fees" and put this case to bed. Politics. A steady intake of proposals, expensive studies on how to make more money from their constituents, and a shitload of meetings. As many as possible it seems, all the while crossing their fingers that the public might not show up to voice their opposition. Well I feel a little better about the system today, how about you?  My new Facebook Friend Supervisor Salud Carbajal, and Supervisor Janet Wolf have both indicated they will vote against the fee proposal, so we only need one more. I'd say we're looking pretty good but I wouldn't put it in the refrigerator yet. The eggs are not cooling and the jello is definitely not jigglin' See you again in October.

No Parking Ever Again!

Normally I might have been apathitic to the whole thing. I mean, I can ride my bike to Rincon anyway, and I wouldn't mind if they did put in a bike rack or two. But after seeing how easy it was for them to just simply get rid of 212 well used parking spaces along the highway here in La Conchita. Yep. Gone for good, along with the easy access to over two miles of sloping beach. Right here, right now, just happened in the blink of an eye, I don't even think anyone knew about it. How did that happen? Maybe no one showed up to the meetings. So I felt compelled to get involved this time, even if it was just showing up and holding a yellow protest sign. So thank you Tony for that first Facebook post that caught my attention, and thank your wife for printing up those yellow signs, and thanks especially for turning me on to those aforementioned Lazor Zap inspired Shrimps. And wow everyone else, mostly people I've never even met, David, Anne, Tyler, Ben Lexan, and the social media in general that made this easier maybe? Really way too many names to mention, but everyone really stepped up and got this thing done. If you haven't done so yet write the Board of Supervisors today. I don't care where you live. Free access to the beach, and wilderness, you already paid for it, it's a god given right. You can't just put up a fence, a sign,  a meter, and turn us into customers. Fuck that. Look, I voted for Nadar, but Ronald Reagan has some really good quotes, check it out...

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like at Rincon where we could park for free" 

Sorry Frank, the people have spoken. New customs for the next generation.

Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors Email Addresses

SupervisorCarbajal@sbcbos1.org
jwolf@sbcbos2.org
dfarr@countyofsb.org
jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
steve.lavagnino@countyofsb.org

ASP Power Rankings after the US Open

Dane on his way to first place at the 2012 Rincon Classic

The Surfline Pow3r Rankings is one of the few features I look forward to these days as far as conventional surf media goes, not to mention, considerably more entertaining than their C-St Surf Report has been this summer. I like the way they switch around writers a bit for different perspectives. I thought JOB did a good one, and like Kelly said, "he's a credible surfer, but distant enough from the tour"  That was before blocking him on twitter of course. And I can't speak for everyone else, but Louis Samuels unfiltered approach works for me. I'd like to see him back. Anyway JOB probably surfs better than me, and I'll give Louis the nod at Ocean Beach. But hey, I'm unfiltered, I'm unsponsored, and I'm unemployed. So as the elite field of thirty-six surfers hit the water in Tahiti, and I make my final picks for my Fantasy Surfer Team, I thought I'd  throw in my two cents. Here's the power rankings after the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, La Conchita Style.

Number One: John John Florence.

He wins at Pipe. He wins in Brazil. He wins at Margaret River. And he's a threat to win anywhere and everywhere in between. Huge hacks, incredible barrel riding skills, the full air program, speed, style, and flow. The Judges love him, and so do I. JJF is sitting comfortably at number one in the world rankings, which in my opinion makes him number one in the world. It's time to end this two tired ranking system before we end up with two world champions.  The elite events are great, higher prize money, more points, limited field, maybe too limited. But as far as crowning your world champion based on just the WCT events. I disagree. I say take your top eight events regardless whether it's a prime, 6 Star, or the Rincon Classic. Basically, anywhere in the world. Ok, back to John. He's doesn't claim a lot, he's down to earth, skates all the time, is sitting high on top of the money leader board.  Plus, if that's not enough, he rides Pyzels, charges huge Cloudbreak, and has a super hot mom.

Current WCT Ranking: 5th
World Ranking: 1st

Number Two: Kelly Slater

Ke12y?

Yep.. He's still that good. A win in Fiji, a controversial second place at Bells, a fifth at Snapper, and a third just a couple weeks ago in Huntington. A few of the young Brazilians seem unfazed by his super human powers, but he can take out just about anyone else out with a simple handshake before a heat. Ask Yades. The best competitive surfer ever hands down, and despite the incredible amount of new talent coming up, it's unlikely anyone else will ever even come close. Eleven World Titles and a definite threat to win Twelve.

Current WCT Ranking: 2nd (Tied with Parko)
World Ranking: 3rd

Number Three: Dane Reynolds

Don't blink or you'll miss his entire wave.

Dane picked up an equal fifth at the US Open. That's the best I've seen him do since he won the Rincon Classic over Bobby Martinez in February. That makes him number three in my first power ranking. Dane is unmatched in explosiveness period. He surfs on the edge of disaster with the unpredictability of a shark attack at Leadbetter Beach. With Shark like speed too. I predict he will win the next dozen Rincon Classics in a row. If the Tour ever switches to a jam style skate format, Dane would probably do pretty well but, trying to get two good waves when you surf at the speed of Dane. Well that's really a matter of luck. Bummer for the tour, bummer for the fans, but I'm stoked he lives around here, where I can occasionally spot him in some blurry photos of mine.

Current WCT Ranking: N/A
World Ranking: 57th

Number Four: Mick Fanning

This was a tough one. Mick is currently sitting at number one on the World Championship Tour but fifth on the world rankings. You see where I'm going with this? Medina, Slater, ADS, and John are all ahead of him. Still in Mick's defense he has only been concentrating on the WCT. Good thing too because he, along with fellow WCT Surfers Taj, Taylor Knox, and Ace Buchan, were all blown out in the first round by so called."Lesser Quality Surfers"at the US Open. That's where Bobby's argument doesn't hold water. These guys in the WCT live in a protected bubble of two man heats, and the priority system. Fact: The QS is tough. Fact: They are coming to get you. Still Mick rips. He is fast and fluid, and in my opinion deserved that controversial win at Bells over Slater. Mick surfed Bells like it should be surfed. Kelly pulled out a huge hail mary air that could have won in New York. In Huntington. In San Francisco, or just about anywhere. But a one maneuver wave regardless of how incredible and timely that one was. It just doesn't cut it at places like Bells, Jeffery's Bay, and especially that spot just north of here.

Current WCT Ranking: 1st
World Ranking: 5th

Number Five: Adriano De Souza

This was a tough call too. But this guy is a fierce competitor, surfs solidly, and is sitting number two in the world rankings. So I gave him the edge over Number Six... On the other hand, while I haven't met him, he seems like a bit of a jerk in the water, and is clearly the most despised surfer on the Fantasy Surfer Forums. Kelly seems to have a problem with him more often than not, but I remember Kelly being a bit of a hassler back in the day too. Well, its different in Brazil. That's a good argument, I guess. Just like those kids down at Zippers who kept dropping in on me. At first I took it personally but then I realized they were dropping in on each other too. Anyway. Okay, so it's not the gentleman's hour at Indicator. It's pro surfing.

Current WCT Ranking: 4th
Current World Ranking: 2nd

Number Six: Taj Burrow

Wouldn't mind surfing like this guy either.

At this point your'e probably wondering where Parko is? After all he is tied for second with Slater in the WCT race. But.. He is way down at number 10 in the world rankings, and he'll be lucky to make it that high on my list. Especially after that crab-stance comment back at Lower's last year. Hmmm.. Taj... I would like to surf like Taj. He surfs like his board is part of his body. One of the best ever but not likely to win the world title.

Current WCT Ranking: 5th (Tied with John)
Current World Ranking: 7th

Number Seven: Josh Kerr

What's not to like about Josh. He has the best post heat interview hats in the business, impressive at Chope's last year, and killing it everywhere else around the world. Third at Snapper, Fifth at Bells, Third in Rio, another Fifth at Margaret's, he's definitely "in form". Nothing worse than a 13th on the CT. Australian transplant living in So Cal, I like him. Ok. Come and surf Rincon anytime. Just not during the Gentleman's Hour.

Current WCT Ranking: 7th
World Ranking: 6th

Number Eight: Julian Wilson

Sorry no Jules.. Here's Sally

Jules was my favorite surfer as things winded down last year. Ton's of tricks, solid turns, and a great competitive drive. At one point I thought he as good as Dane but actually mangaged to stay on. That was before Dane started showing up in the cove last winter. Still I'm stoked for him to win the US Open a couple weeks ago taking down a red hot Miguel Pupo. That drop at he made at pipe last year was unmake-able, and he was one of the only pros to tow-in at macking Chopes. Too bad it won't be like that this year. First heats in the water as I write this. John John, Miguel, Pat G. Miguel is in the lead with twelve minutes to go.

Current WCT Ranking: 10th
World Ranking: 8th


Number Nine: Gabriel Medina

Gabe, Miguel, Gabe, Miguel, Gabe, Miguel. Wow another tough call. I like Miguel's style a bit better and he rides his dads boards, but Medina is tough to beat when he doesn't fall. Two WCT wins right out of the gate and well, he doesn't fall.  Picked up a second in Fiji, a win at the Nike Lowers Pro and an equal third at the US Open. Personally he needs I think he needs to mix it up a little or the judges are going to get bored. I'm bored. Maybe he makes it look too easy.

Current WCT Ranking: 13th
World Ranking: 4th

Number Ten: Jordy Smith

This is my last official call, and a real tough choice.  Miguel could have got it, Owen maybe, Joel, sorry nope. Jordy is a big guy and throws a lot of spray. He's also pretty impressive on point breaks. Looks like John John has this heat wrapped up as the Billabong Pro is well underway. No surprise on that. Yeah. Jordy's cool. Come on up.

Current WCT Ranking: 8th
World Ranking: 9th

Parko still might have a chance depending on the Parko Push. Otherwise, I can't see anyone outside of my top ten with a chance at the world title. Don't get me wrong. I think Parko surfs well, good style, but I'd still rather surf like Taj. Some of the my top ten may already be eliminated if you did the math, but I didn't.Ok, So here's some quick thoughts on the bottom two thirds.

Pat G.. Or one of his brothers..

WCT#2... Parko: Congrats on that Molokai to Oahu paddle.
WCT#9... Owen Wright: Last year was your best chance. Avatar.. More like Robotron.
WCT#11.. JFlo: Crazy Chopes heat last year. Like!
WCT#12.. CJ: Legend
WCT#14.. Heitor: Future World Title.. No chance.
WCT#15.. Ace: Nice guy. First round exit at the US Open.
WCT#15.. Tiago Pires: Like
WCT#17.. The Spartan: World Ranking #37 Needs a result!
WCT#18.. Miguel Pupo: Better than Gabrial Medina?
WCT#18.. Simpo: Solidly in the middle of the pack.
WCT#20.. Alejo Muniz: Best CT Result. Equal Fifth in Brazil
WCT#20.. Kai Otton:  Suprised me how hard he killed it in 2 foot Huntington Beach. On my team for Chopes. Like!
WCT#22.. Bede Durbidge: Um..World Ranking 48. Desperately in need of my idea of a bigger field for the elite dream tour events.
WCT#23.. Damo: Legend
WCT#24.. Travis Logie: Needs some results.
WCT#24.. FreddyP: Coming back strong. Like!
WCT#26.. Raoni Monteiro: Charged it at huge cloudbreak. Like!
WCT#26.. Adam Melling: World Ranking #40.
WCT#26.. Brother: Over-hyped? Over- Coached?
WCT#26.. Wilko: A cross between Dane, Juien, and Jeff Spicoli. Like!

Yades. Near Home.

WCT#26.. Yadin: World Ranking #52. Rincon Transplant. Like!
WCT#31.. Kieran Perrow: World Ranking #73. Na Na Na Nah...Hey Hey... GoodBye,
WCT#31.. Jadson Andre: World Ranking #80. Nice knowing you..
WCT#31.. Pat G: Best drop ever at Cloudbreak. Unless it was one of his brothers.
WCT#34.. Dusty Payne: Just finished last heat heat one.
WCT#34.. Taylor Knox: Legend
WCT#36.. William Cardoso: On the bubble.

Kelly.. Testing equipment like Kelly does.

How much would you pay to surf here?

Rincon Point, April 1, 2012

A dollar an hour, two dollars an hour? Three dollars a day, five dollars a day? Ten dollars a day? I would stop visiting. What? These are some pretty bad choices to say the least but unfortunately, they are the only ones offered on the Santa Barbara County Parks Beach Parking Fee Survey.  I lied and told them I would stop visiting, but where was the option for "None of the above." Or the, "I am opposed to the idea of any fees on land previously set aside for public use, especially when it was originally misappropriated from the Chumash in the first place." Okay, how about, "You've got to be f@#king kidding me!"

One of seven parks under fire.

Parking fees at the Queen of the Coast are not the only threat. What about Lookout Park in Summerland, Loon's, Hendry's, Goleta, Ocean, and Guadalupe Dunes. How much would you be willing to pay to park there? How much are you willing to pay to take your dog for a walk, dip your toes in the water, or just relax with a good book? How much would you pay to fish, take a romantic stroll, a jog, or obsessively hunt seaglass? How much would you pay to just stare at the sea and clear your head during your lunch break. If I had to suggest something, it might go like this. First 90 minutes free, after that, $1.00 per hour, $5.00 max.

That might work for a lot of people and it is pretty similar to the downtown parking arrangement, the city might even go for it. That might be enough for Bob and his big old Rottweiler Sissy who I see there every single day. It might be enough for that older couple that enjoy a cup of coffee nearly every morning on the bluff, before heading down the ramp for short walk on the beach. It might be enough James and his German Short Hair, Finley, and the countless other dog walkers, and beachcombers I see every day. It might even be enough for a quick surf. Two hours would be even better, but that would still not be long enough for me. Rincon feeds my soul, and I know I am not alone on that one.

Surfing for free. January 22, 2012

The good news is this. I did confirm that the Lower Lot is unaffected by Santa Barbara's inability to run their city. First off it's in Ventura, but the deciding factor is that lot is run by the state park system. Hey, it's not my preferred spot to park, but it soon will be if this ridiculous plan goes through. Unfortunately the state is in far worse shape than Santa Barbara, so it probably wouldn't be long before someone up at the state park commission says, "Hey, why aren't we charging for parking at Rincon? We do it at San O, Malibu, El Cap.." Suddenly it's $10.00 a day to park in the Cove. And please don't give me some story about how the county or the state is in such bad shape. I'm in bad shape. Half the people I know are in bad shape, financially speaking, anyway. Santa Barbara County had close to $800,000,000.00 in revenue last year. Yes, 800 Million! Certainly they can figure out a way to keep our parks open and free to the public, or at least have the guts to take it to a public vote.

Free Parking... For now.

Some people, notably the Planning Commission themselves, are already writing this off as a done deal. Sure, what do the restaurants at Hendry's and Goleta care? It's a not a problem for them. They'll be able to validate those parking stubs just like they do at Stearns Wharf. What does the planning commission care? Hey paying for parking is a Southern California Tradition. Ventura, Hueneme, Malibu, LA, Huntington, it's endless. UCSB!!! It's a outright crime to not have free public access to Campus Point. Okay thanks, at least I don't have to carry around a bag of quarters anymore, they take debit cards now. All of this should be enough to make your stomach turn. I'm sure, well I would hope, they'll have a annual pass for locals but those aren't cheap either. The Port Hueneme Annual Pass is $100 Dollars a year! The California State Park Pass is $125.

That still doesn't sit right with me. What about you? Now normally I tend to head off on a few different tangents on these blogs, but today I want to get straight to the point. It's not too late for your voice to be heard. There is another meeting coming up later this month. And even if you are like me and would rather be hit by a truck than speak in public, maybe you can just bring a sign, or show up for moral support. Let's keep surfing free in SB! Mark your calendars.

August 16, 2012 5:30PM

Santa Barbara Planning Commission Hearing Room 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

*Remote testimony is available in the Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room

Shane Orr.. The Bounce. No parking allowed.

All of this comes on the heels of the losing 212 parking spaces along the highway here in La Conchita. Yes you heard me correctly. If you didn't know already, beach access here will soon be restricted to Mussel Shoals to the south, the new pedestrian tunnel in La Conchita, and the existing parking lots at Rincon Point. Any way you slice it, it's gonna be a mile walk if you want to surf the Bounce. At present I'm lucky enough to be living in LC. So other than losing that left hand turn into town, and the fact I have to drive an additional six miles every time I leave home, I'm pretty happy with the Cal Trans US 101 Carpool Lane Improvement Project.  I'm not ecstatic about six lanes of traffic, but yeah overall, I'm pretty happy. There's the brand new eight foot tall pedestrian tunnel to the beach. Ramps leading to the beach and up to a shiny new beachside class one bikeway. Yep, no more back breaking, head scraping trips through the four foot drainage tunnel thats served LC since 1955. And a protected bike path taking me pretty much the only place I need to go. It's like a dream come true.. If you live here. 

CHP has already issuing warnings.

Unfortunately for everyone else who enjoyed the free and easy access to over two miles of sloping, usually uncrowded beach, and the occasional surfable wave... I would say it's a pretty big loss. Some of the best times of my life were spent down at the north end of LC teaching my daughters to surf. I guess it's no surprise that Cal Trans can mow down Surfrider, the Coastal Commission, and anyone else who gets in the way of their dream of a super highway extending from Ventura to Goleta. Gosh. Even the fine folks of Monticito couldn't stop them.  At the very least they might have considered a second tunnel along with some additional parking at Tank Farm to access to the northern end of La Conchita. Maybe it's not too late to do something about that but for now, according to Claudia Gomez spokeperson for Cal Trans, "There are NO plans to replace the 212 spots lost in the $162,000,000.00 project. Yes.. Millions." 

No Parking! Bobby.. Somewhere along two miles of sloping beach,