Civic Couch South Bay Surf Culture
March in Like A Lion
From The Editor:
I
was going to head down to Huntington Beach and take a few shots of our South Bay guys surfing in the Vans Pier Classic on Thursday March 24th. I got a bunch of calls and text Wednesday evening about how good it was going to be here and that some spots were already firing. I made a last minute desision to stay here in the South Bay. Chris Wells gave me the first call in the morning. “You gotta get down to Porto, it’s really good”. Like a lot of people I interviewed about this story, it looked good but not great when I first got there. Standing in the parking lot I was wondering if I had made the wrong choice. Grabbing my camera and tripod, I headed down to the beach. On my way down I saw Keith Brewer paddling into a head high wave, get to his feet and stand straight up in to a perfect barrel only to get shot out a few seconds later. Right then I felt good about my decision to stay. As you will read in the comments by the guys who were out there, it wasn’t the all time best day at Porto. It was a day full of makable head high + barrels with a light crowd (almost all were friends) and great weather. Chris Brown (one of the guys out there getting his share) stated it as “That day
was insane. I thought afterwards the talk got a little out of hand. I heard a bunch of people claiming “Best Porto of all-time”. I think that’s over the top. I’ve seen it a lot bigger and even more perfect. A lot of older guys will remember a 3-day run we had back in the mid-90’s where it was howling offshore and double overhead plus for 3 days straight. I thought every one of those days was better than this last swell. But obviously, it was the best day we’ve had this year and the fact that there was a lot of short-interval swell mixing in made it super consistent and allowed it to maintain it’s wedgey shape even on a really low tide. I was amazed when I first paddled out that there were only about 15 guys spread all the way from Rosecrans to 45th. And even better, it was just the boys. It was all friends just sharing insane waves for the first hour or two. Eventually, the crowd filled in and got kind of brutal, but by then, everyone had gotten their share. I will say that I don’t ever remember seeing that many guys getting barreled and coming out-and I’m talking about anywhere. In that way, it was a very special day. Let’s pray for more days like that!!” Brad Jacobson Publisher
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Civic couch Executive Editor Brad Jacobson brad@civiccouch.com Executive Literary Editor Kathleen Paralusz Contributing Writers Chris Brown Kevin Cody Contributing Photographers Ricky Lesser, Randy Ruby, Mike Balzer, Paul Fisher, Brad Jacobson Letters To The Editor brad@civiccouch.com Advertising and Marketing Brad Jacobson brad@civiccouch.com (310) 406.5998
SUBMIT YOUR SURF PHOTO’S brad@civiccouch.com
Contact Brad Jacobson for more information
On The Cover:
brad@civiccouch.com
Derek Brewer in one of many
310.406.5998
Photo: Jacobson
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MARCH IN LIKE A
March 24th, El Porto. That morning I drove past it on my way down to a shoot saw a sickkkk one peel down the beach from way out side but just wrote it off b was dead low tide. When I got to Redondo I saw Scott Johnsen, one of the South Bay legends. He w he said has heading straight back to Porto, that he just got the call that it was un I heard no one has seen it like that for years... When I was heading back I remembered that park where I have been before sho down to the beach...Such an epic day. - Paul Fisher
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LION
the breakwall and just glimpsed at it from the road and because I know Porto is is never good on low tide and it
was jumping back in his truck, I asked him what’s good... nbelievably good...and I said so was I. haha.
ooting scenic’s. I went straight to it and then made my way
Matt Pagan was toying all morning with how deep he could get and still make it out. Photo: Jacobson
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DEEEEEEEP
Everyone was getting deep on the 24th but this wave was just sick. Justin Genest was completly gone for a few seconds before getting spit out. Se the full sequence at our movie showing this month. Photos: Brad Jacobson CIVIC
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n ee
Derek Brewer
We could have filled an entire magazine with the sequence of this wave. Sequence: Jacobson
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More than Barrels People were getting shacked all morning long but ocasionally ...
Chris Wells
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Greg Browing
Staying low
Chris Frohoff throwing
Keith Brewer
Greg Browning
DIFFERENT ANGLES All Photos: Paul Fisher
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Sets
While most sets were in the head high range, a few bigger ones came through Photos: Brad Jacobson
Racing
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Matt Walls
Chris Wells
Derek Brewer
South Bay Surf Series #3
Men’s Open Division finalist. Matt Pagan took first place (2 in a row).
CIVIC The peanut gallery
Photo: Balzer
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Matt Pagan slashing his way to another SBSS Victory
Natalie Anzivino takes another title in the Women’s Open Division
Photo: Balzer
Photo: Jacobson
South Bay Surf Series #3
1.
4.
5.
1.Overview of the contest site 2. Mike Purpose put on a contest jersey for the first time in over 20 years 3. Jani Lange welcoming the contestants 4. Smacking the inside section 5.Jamie Meistrell rooting on XXX Walls to a first place finish in the kids division 6. Legends Division Finalist 7. Little finalist 8. Natalie Anzivino and Filippa Ferrara CIVIC
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7.
2. 3.
6. 8.
Matt Mohegan: “When I first pulled up it was around 8 or so and it wa
day in years our there. There were well overhead spitting peaks all up and dow beachbreaks that you never look at into a A+ waves. I wish I had woke up earli knew on it and they were getting shacked.� Photo: Paul Fisher
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as low tide and off shore, it looked like mini puerto escondido. Def the best wn the beach. That was one of the swells that can turn the most closed out ier!. I think the whole southbay was out there, every wave had someone i
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Chris Frohoff: “For me I can put that day in my top 50. B
years old then it’s in your top 10. That’s the number I heard was floating aroun out was easy. The rights were staying open for easy barrels but the lefts had m Let’s hope for more days like that!” Photo: Jacobson
Based on the fact that I’ve been surfing for 35 years. I’m sure if you are 18 nd. I think everyone was stoked because it wasn’t very heavy and the paddle more clamping sections. I had 2 backhand barrels that I will never forget. CIVIC
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MATT PAGAN: “That day was in one word... Ridiculous. It was the b
was out there. It was crazy, everywhere you’d turn someone was getting k getting shacked! “ Photo: Brad Jacobson
Rosecrans
best day I’ve seen so far out there. I think I did two turns the whole time I kegged. It was just one of those special days where all the boys were out
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KEITH BREWER: “Last Thursday was insane. El Porto doesn’t usually
have seen in El Porto in the last 5 years. I must have came out of 15 really Photo: Brad Jacobson
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y offer up open wide barrels with A frame peaks. This is the best day I y good tubes that day.�
Kelly Zaun: “That Thursday was amazing. El Porto’s usual close
South Bay was out surfing and there were plenty of waves to go around. B Photo: Brad Jacobson
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e-outs were replaced with perfect peaks. Every guy that I know in the Best day of this winter hands down!�
JuStIn GeNeSt: “That was the best Porto I’ve personally seen. barrels!” photo: brad jacobson
Chris Rodriguez coming around the corner
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Ke
eg size barrels everywhere. Everyone I know was getting and making
DAVID CURRY: “I can’t believe I almost did not paddle out after checking Phot0: Brad Jacobson
Photo by Scott Gorski
g it early. Fortunately the boys started calling saying “it’s going off”.
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CHRIS WELLS :
Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Photo: Brad Jacobson
“I’ve surfed Porto since I was a kid, and I can only r
remember seeing it this good a handful of times! All time South
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Matt Chernega
: “I pulled into el Porto, and saw barrel after ba truck in to the last spots in the lot, I through my suit on and had a bearrel fes Photo: Brad Jacobson
After his heat at the Katin Pro Photo: Peter Dive
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arrel. Spitting tubes everywhere. My adrenaline was pumping. I slamed my st. It was the best session ever.�
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Scott Smith
: “It was easily one of the best days I’ve ever surfed out wave double up right to me. I just turned and went, stalled, and then pulled good one!” Photo: Jacobson
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t there. All the bros were out and I ended up getting lucky and having a set into the best barrel I’ve ever had at El Porto. For once the video guy got a
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Clear Barrels... Greg Browning flying through a juicy right w Photo: Brad Jacobson
while another guy watches from the other side. CIVIC
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40 shots, 3 In and Outs Chris Wells got so deep t
hit the shutter again. This could have easily been a 50 shot barrel sequen Photo: Brad Jacobson
that I stopped shooting. I saw the tip of his board coming back out and nce.
Not everything was makable
but not for lack of trying
But Most Were!
This is not the normal Porto line
photo: Photo: Paul Fisher
Kelly Zaun holding his line
photo: Photo: Jacobson
A bit stoked to be in the water
Some went unridden
photo: Photo: Jacobson
photo: Photo: Jacobson
Same Day Different Spot
“I got a call early Thursday morning saying that the Bwall was going off. Jeff Yu aged to grab this shot of Marcelo Malinco before heading up to Porto. Photo: Mike Balzer
usa was standing beside me when he got the call about Porto. I man-
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MARCH MADNESS
Sunny Afternoon session Photo by Rachel Tanner Photo: Paul Fisher
Another month lacking on the monster size we had last year but March provided some decent size and great shape. The best swell of the month arrived March 20th with a miserable storm. Rain, hail, and strong winds pounded the South Bay. The good? The winds were howling off shore keeping the surface clean. Jaime and Tracey Meistrell score overhead + waves for hours by themselves. By the time others found out about the conditions, they had gotten their share and set for the day. Shark Sighting? When Daniel Del Castillo told people that he had seen a shark in the line-up they laughed. Not until a half eaten dolphin corpse washed ashore did they take him serious. Aside from the weather, shark sightings, the smell of dead fish rotting and lack of any “huge� surf, March was good.... some say great. CIVIC
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Daniel Del Castillio enjoying a March morning session
photo: Photo: JacobsonPaul Fisher
Mike Losness was in town for a fun session at the MB Pier
photo: Mike Balzer
Daniel De Castillo didn’t let his recent shark sighting at this exact spot keep him out of the lineup for long. Here, Daniel hides out in the barrel looking for safety. Sequence: Jacobson CIVIC
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Kelly Zaun attacked the late March swell hard everyday. This is the last day of the swell and he’s ready to go home and sleep for a few days! Photo: Brad Jacobson
Dayton Silva spent some time during his spring break flying through the South Bay Photo: Brad Jacobson
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Dane Zaun getting his sponsors noticed Matt Meistrell leaning into it CIVIC 64 COUCH Photo: Brad Jacobson Photo: Mike Balzer
Incoming! Photo: Randy Ruby
Matt Chernega getting the fins loose Photo: Mike Balzer Paddle view Photo: Bryce Lowe White
Alternative Ways Out
Marcelo Malinco
Photo: Brad Jacobson
Unknown sneaking in
Derek Levy
Photo: Brad Jacobson
Alex Grey letting loose at home Photo: Balzer
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Shaun Burrell spending some time in the water between classes Photo: Jacobson
SOUTH BAY SCENIC Photos: Jacobson
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Sunset Surfing Photo: Randy Ruby
House with a view Photo: Jacobson
Chris Wells after session #84 of this swell CIVIC 61 COUCH Photo:Jacobson
The best part of the swell arrive with a nasty storm Rain-Hail-Heavy Winds and Weird Cloud Formations Photo: Jacobson
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laying it down Matt Chernega Sequence: Jacobson
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Pat Weber tucking in Photo: Balzer
Pitchers and Pictures
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What could be more artistic then a whole slew of images and alcohol? That was the scene at the A.M.I. hosted event Pitchers and Pictures at Waterman’s on Hermosa Pier last month. Featured photographer Ricky Lesser displayed a few Prints above the bar, had a 20 minute self produced video as well as 250 image slide show on all the flat screens. After the event was in full swing Alonso Vargas and his band “Dubbington” took the stage and laid a melodic mood across the visual evening. During the commotion a few local celebs stopped in to have a few including Alex Grey and body Gloves’ newest addition to their team, Jamie O’Brian. It was a great time but if you missed it stay tuned for the second event in the series of Pitchers and Pictures featuring images from California.
Alex Gray bouncing around El Porto Photo: Jacobson
Michael Luhrsen Photo: Jacobson
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Scott Johnsen Photo: Balzer
Wrap Around
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Daniel Del Castillo Photo: Jacobson
1.
2.
OUTSIDE
3. 1. El Porto saw a few big days where only a handful of guys paddled out. It was mostly closed out and the paddle was tough. This guy looks like he can’t tell whether to paddle out, paddle in or just ditch his board and swim for it. 2. Derek Levy sat outside waiting for the bigger sets. 3.Ummmm, you may want to look behind you. CIVIC
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HIGH SCHOOL TALENT
Will Borzi
Josh Perch
Styling through this burnout section
Kelly Zaun
Filippa Ferrara floats back in
Photo: Jacobson
Matt Pagan dealing with the afternoon winds
Photo: Ricky Lesser
South Bay Big Wave Challenge
The South Bay Boardriders Club Big Wave contest period closed on March 31 with no big swells to match those of the 2009-2010 winter. But 2010-2011 will be remembered for consistent surf, including a few swells in February and March that had local surfers waxing up their California guns. The contest area extended from Indicator in Palos Verdes on the South to El Segundo on the north. The biggest waves photographed were at the Redondo Breakwall and the El Segundo jetty.
Photo submissions to the contest were narrowed down to half a dozen finalists – four taken at the Redondo Breakwall and two at Hammerland. The contest judges are Mike Balzer, Scott Daley, Ted Robinson, Chris Frohoff, Michael Luhrson, Mark Levy, Scott Johnson, Mark Theodore, Pat Riordan, Charlie Carver, Tom Seth and Tyler 1st place prize includes this 10-Foot gun shaped by Pat Riordan Photo: Balzer Hatzikian. Their choice for the 2010-2011 South Bay Big Wave winner will be announced during the Hermosa Surf Film Festival on Friday, April 8 at the Hermosa Beach Community Center. The winner will receive a 10-foot gun shaped by Pat Riordan, glassed by Steve Mangiagli and airbrushed by Jose Barahona. The winner will also receive $1,000 from Body Glove. - Kevin Cody, Easy Reader CIVIC
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photo: Jacobson
photo: Randy Ruby
NO VACANCY K C HA
FR
S E E
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S L A T N
Final Shot Let’s hope for an April full of March 24th’s!
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