Civic Couch South Bay Surfing by Civic Couch

CIVIC COUCH South Bay

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CIVIC COUCH {Contributors}_______________________ Randy Ruby

Randy can be found every day walking the beaches from Torrance to Redondo with his camera in hand shooting surfing, landscapes, wild life and people. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen his dolphin picâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, check his facebook profile.

Jeff Yusa

Shooting in the water usually takes years to wire down. Having success on land, Jeff recently took his talents into the line-up and is showing promise (see wells barrell inside). We are stoked to have his work showcased here

On The Cover: Jamie Meistrell slaps the green wall Photo Credit: Brad Jacobson

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CIVIC COUCH Executive Editor Brad Jacobson brad@civiccouch.com Executive Literary Editor Kathleen Paralusz Contributing Writers Chris Wells Kevin Cody Contributing Photographers Randy Ruby, Jeff Yusa, Brad Jacobson Letters To The Editor brad@civiccouch.com Advertising and Marketing Brad Jacobson brad@civiccouch.com (310) 406.5998

SUBMIT YOUR SURF PHOTOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S brad@civiccouch.com

Contact Brad Jacobson for more information brad@civiccouch.com 310.406.5998 CIVIC

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From The Editor:

ast winter left many of us got spoiled. Almost everyday of the ‘09-’10 winter saw many of the South Bay’s beaches with overhead + waves. This year has been a different story.

Last years consistant swells prompted the South Bay Boardriders to host a “BIG WAVE CHALLENGE” running from December 1st to March 31st 2011. The surfer who is documented paddling into the biggest South Bay wave ridden this winter will be awarded cash and prizes. December kicked off with fun swells but they lacked any size. The New Year started off the same until mid-January when the first swell hit the west facing beaches with some overhead but inconsitant sets. The swell brought with it some high morning tides swamping out most of the breaks forcing a lot people to paddle out in the late afternoon low-tide. The talent pool in the South Bay has been incredible this year, and the photog’s have been lining up to shoot them. On any given day you can find Zaun, Gray, the Meistrells, Wells, Browning, as well as an influx of out of towners like Reyes, Yeomens, Curran, Losness etc. Hopefully we will see some similar swells as last year begin to fill in the South Bay and give the talent something to froth over.

Sincerely, Brad Jacobson Publisher

www.civiccouch.com

Timmy Reyes enjoying one last years swells at the Ave’s Photo: Randy Ruby CIVIC

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GOING BACK FOR SECONDS

Chris Wells surverying the line-up at Rosecrans

TAKING OFF Websters defines â&#x20AC;&#x153;flyingâ&#x20AC;? as: moving or capable of moving in the air, moving or made by moving rapidly, intended for ready movement or action, having stylized wings, of or relating to the operation of aircraft. Here, Matt Meistrell puts the definiton into action.

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GREEN WALL

Some of Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swells were hitting best in the late afternoon. Here, Derek Levy flies down this emerald set wave.

Shaper’s Bay Wayne Okamoto Oak Foils

Give us the about yourself. What inspired you to get into shaping? I was introduced to the surfboard manufacturing process by Bing Copeland in the early 70’s. I was a pre teenager and was obsessed with making miniature surfboards from scrap materials sourced from the dumpsters of local builders. A couple friends and I would cruise from factory to factory on our bikes picking the choice remnants to craft our miniatures. One day we were at the Bing factory dumpster diving for choice pieces of foam, Bing caught us and wondered what we were doing in his dumpster, we showed him our mini boards and he seemed amused and said, “I have some better pieces back in the shop.” He then proceeded to take us into his factory, for a pre adolescent kid it was sensory and tactile overload, seeing all the boards lined up and laminated and in different stages, the smell of the fresh lamination and the foam dust really had an impact on me. What really did it for me was when we proceeded to the shaping stalls, seeing a finished shape on the racks under the side lights really was the tipping point for me. At that moment I got it. I knew what I was driven to do.

Wayne Okamoto at his shaping bay

With so many people shaping, what makes your boards stand out? I think it’s the people that ride my boards that stand out. I really try and work closely with everyone that orders a custom shape. I think that people in the know or anyone that has spent any time here at my shop understand the lengths I go to maintain the quality and integrity of their boards. I spend an average of more than 6 hours plus into each custom (digitizing process after the board is done) than the “normal” shaper. After I shape a custom I digitize the custom shape for the individual this is another 2 day process. Most of my customers don’t realize I do this. Everyone that orders a custom has their own “Model”. I do this to maintain the DNA accurately for each individual, so when and if the customer wants to make a modification I have the 3D file on hand to modify the next generation. The accuracy is unbelievable, impossible to do and repeat by the old school method. To have empirical data to analyze has been an invaluable tool. Most shapers don’t have the ability to do this. To recreate the magic shape has always been the Holy Grail in surfboard shaping process. It is impossible to do by hand to the accuracy and repeatability of the CNC process. Please, don’t confuse this as some type of rendering process, I don’t draw or render shapes through any type of surfboard shaping programs. All my shapes begin with a custom hand shaped surfboard that is digitized in true 3D. Not a CAD designed process. The hand shaped board is then digitized in 3D, I then have a true 3D “snap-shot”. This process is a proprietary process as there is no one that does this technique, there are other popular methods but they use slices in 2d and the surfaces are created by the program.

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What is the most unique board that you have shaped? In recent times I had an opportunity to shape a custom for a guy named Ben Morris RIP. Ben wanted something very unique and very special, it’s rare I get to get an opportunity to shape something way out of the box, but what Ben wanted was something unique. He mentioned that he was enjoying a minisimms shape and gave me free reign to shape it how I like and “do my thing.” As he was describing what he was looking for in a design and where he wanted to go with his surfing I sensed he was on a mission to enlighten his surf experience and some how I was chosen as someone to assist him on his journey. Ben appeared to be extremely healthy and very fit and in good spirits during the short time spent with him designing boards. Not once did he mention he was sick or was not feeling well. Always the wry guy with a straight faced humor, I later found out that he was fighting later stages of skin cancer. At the time I met Ben he was already 3 years into the fight. During our time spent designing and shaping he was only a few months away from succumbing to the disease. I had no idea of his condition, as he was always in good spirits. Ben’s spirit will always be an inspiration to me. The shape was a futuristic twin keel shape with center trailer I spent a lot of time massaging some special tweaks to the shape, with double step, double apex rails, whale tailed, six channel. I called it the “Cosmic Glyder” Ben’s older brother John now rides the board and hes been riding it. Last email I got from him he couldn’t believe how much speed and enjoyment hes gotten out of the board. John claims it’s one of the best boards he’s ridden.

Where do you see surfboards going in the next 5 years? I think more detailed work into composites, but I don’t think most are ready for it. At this time it’s hard to beat the proven poly system, epoxy has it’s merits but it still has it’s issues. I am seeing the trend to more surfers going back to the custom shaper instead of buying retail off the rack. I think most are becoming educated as where most of the boards off the rack boards are being made. Why spend all that hard earned money on a shape that isn’t correct for you when you can have a complete custom shape made to your spec with your name on it with the highest quality materials available locally and have it in your hands in a couple weeks.

For More Information visit: http://oakfoils.blogspot.com/

Dan Cobley Danc Surfboards

Photo by Ashley Barrett.

Give us the about yourself. What inspired you to get into shaping? I was drawn to shaping for the pure love of surfing. I always enjoyed working with my hands and building things as well as have had an interest in problem solving and puzzle workings. The variables that go into making surfboards are so broad and complex that the puzzle never ends. It’s a life long love as people, waves, and conditions change.

With so many people shaping, what makes your boards stand out? I don’t think that my boards stand out in any cosmetic way comparatively to other shaper or machine boards. The difference with my boards is that they are all hand crafted for each individual surfer. I work with the customer one on one through shaping appointments or phone calls with long chats to work through the puzzle of what board will suit them best for the wave, style, or stage of life they are focusing on. It’s true that most surfers invariably want a single magic board. Even the fortunate few who have the

resources and the storage space to have a quiver the size of jay lenos car collection end up riding just a small handful of them. What I’ve found is that working more closely with the individual I can dial in that more magic board and get them on a better board then what they have been on. The truth is that our waves selection here varies so much and I’m not just considering that you can surf a point break like hags or a beach break like torrance in the same day and the waves are so different that its not fair to a shaper to be expected to make a single board work optimal in all conditions why Hell you can be surfing porto and get one wave and have it the tube of your life and then the next wave is more mush then san-o! Again, I am now just trying to work with each individual surfer and make the board that will best work for them in the conditions they are most often going to be surfing.

Each spot in the South Bay breaks differently and the surfing styles change almost as much. You need to design for constantly changing environments (surf conditions) and individual customers - how do you balance making a great looking board with one that actually functions with all these variables? I have made some funky stuff over the years; curving prabolics, giant boards, multiple strangers, odd construction methods and materials, knee boards, kite boards, etc. Nothing really to brag about or even be proud of at all. :) Shaping hasn’t changed too much. The machine has taken over production which has led to way more consistency in rack boards. Just five years ago the best quality brands had machines that would only cut the blank so close and they would still have to be finished by hand and the discrepancy in shapes was so drastically different that the quality of my hand shaped all the way through were on a whole almost more consistent. These days however the machines have gotten better and as a result my quality has had to improve to match or exceed the competition. As it were I used to just try and do as well as the next guy but these days my focus has been more geared towards a constant betterment in board function for the individual. It’s something that you can’t buy off the rack! I found I cannot exceed the quality of the construction of a merrik or a lost but I can match that quality and exceed the function for the individual. The beautiful thing about custom is that working with a knowledgeable craftsmen boards can progressively improve over time and because the boards get better so do the surfers.

Shaper’s Bay

Photo by Ashley Barrett.

Where do you see surfboards going in the next 5 years? I don’t pretend to think that I can see the future. The current trend is shorter and more functional volume. I think this trend will stay around for a while especially in the southbay. I have a feeling a lot of grumpy older dudes are going to get mad at sup guys and start ordering regular surfboards with the volume of a sup just to compete paddling. I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see the fish movement come around again around again in the next few years either. Also, I think normal shortboards are going to shorten a couple inches as a norm and widen out through the end sections as surfers realize the benefits rocker can play in function and then they’ll get longer, flatter and thinner and then get shorter and thicker again. It’s a cyclical thing but what’s cool is that with each generation that passes the intricacies get ironed out and functionality becomes more radical. Long live the shaper!!

More Info: Dan Cobley has been shaping surfboards for pros and hobby surfers for 15 years. His shaping room is located on “shaper’s row” in Hermosa Beach. Open by appointment. Make yours today. Call 310-4692671 dancsurfboards@hotmail.com CIVIC

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BACKLIT FAN California evenings have a way of drawling people out to watch the sunset. Jaime Meistrell does his best to block peoples view.

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Smooth Lines

Michael Luhrson has a way of imposing his will out in the line-up. Here he imposes his will on a breakwall section.

EVENTS THE ANUAL BAREBACK CLASSIC TOOK PLACE SATURDAY, FEB. 5TH IN HERMOSA BEACH

This years Bareback Classic was held just north of the Hermosa Beach Pier. The air was warm (in the upper 60’s but the water was a balmy 57 degrees. Nearly 20 surfers paddled out for the 20 minute heats. The contest is organized each year by Pitcher House’s Jimmy Young. “His board-matching Speedos put him over the top,” said judge Greg Browning after declaring Body Glove surfer Matt Walls the winner of the Fifth Annual Bareback surfing contest.

The contestants gather after the contest

One of the many servings of food available to the guest

Event Winner Matt Walls

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Water temp. 57... Greg Browning wishing it was warmer.

Matt Walls Showing His Winning umm...side

Coming in for some extra points

This is not the way to warm yourself up

“Don’t get that thing too close to me”

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South Bay Surf Series #1

South Bay Boardriders Club Hosted the First Surf Series By Kevin Cody - Easy Reader

ayton Silva, currently the top ranked NSSA college surfer can now claim bragging rights to the title of best South Bay Surfer. Silva won the talent heavy, men’s open division in the South Bay Boardriders Club’s inaugural series contest at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach. The bragging rights came with a custom surfboard by Lost shaper Matt Biolos. Silva’s aerial attack in the waist to head-high, mostly walled up surf gave him the edge in the final, which included fellow NSSA competitor Eddie Lester, who finished second and Brent Bowen, Silva’s teammate on Mira Costa High’s 2009 U.S. High School Red Bull Championship team. The Zaun brothers, Dane and Kelly, who filled out the 2009 Costa team, also competed The contest’s 36 heats included a multi-generation pantheon of the South Bay’s top surfers, including former WSA surfer Derek Levy, 51, former PSSA pro and Pipeline Masters finalist Chris Frohoff, 45, former ASP surfer Chris Wells, current pro Dane Zaun, 20, and Manhattan Beach Middle School stand-out Noah Collins, 13. Saturday’s contest was the first of a five contest series presented by the SBBC. The top point earners in the men’s open and junior’s divisions will win Adventure Sports Tours trips to either Nicaragua or El Salvador. The next contest on Feb. 19 at 45th Street will be sponsored by Dive N’ Surf. Subsequent contests are March 12 at the Hermosa pier, sponsored by Pier Surf; April 16 at 45th Street, sponsored by Surf Concepts; and May 21 at the Manhattan Pier, sponsored by Pier Surf. For more information visit SouthBayBoardriders.com.

Dane Zaun

Brewer

In between heats

Action on the beach

Who gets the interference call?

Jeff Jones keeping his feet up!

Open Men’s: 1. Dayton Silva, 2. Eddie Lester, 3. Pat Murphy, 4. Chris Wells, 5. Austin Hall, 6. Brent Bowen Open Women’s: 1. Natalie Anzivino, 2. Becca Rosen, 3. Rachel Tominaga, 4. Lucine Aarsen, 5. Jordan Wible, 6. Diana Mausser. Juniors (18 & under): 1. Dave Slay, 2. Noah Collins, 3. Angelo Luhrsen, 4. Kelly Zaun, 5. Steve Honzowetz, 6. Tim Laney. Boys (14 & under): 1. Noah Collins, 2. Cody Stamis, 3. Sam Dunbar, 4. Marcus Heim, 5. Kyle Brown, 6. Peter Neal Open Longboard: 1. Brent Bland, 2. Peter Venardos, 3. Dave Schaefer, 4. Andre Anorga, 5. Gus McConnel, 6.l Stefan Neumann. Groms (12 & under): 1. Jack Rowan, 2. Ron Sannes, 3. Dylan Hyman, 4. Clay Norian, 5. Andrew Neal, 6.l Jack Raney. Masters (40 – 49): 1. Chris Frohoff, 2. Scott Johnson, 3. Jefff Jones, 4. Ty Cukr, 5. Steve Howe, 6. Ross Takano. Micro-Groms (9 & under): 1. Shane Moseley, 2. Kieren Walls, 3. Cooper McEwan, 4. Luke Kerin, 5. Collin McEwan, 6. Jett Shahriary Legends (50 +): 1. Derek Levy, 2. Don Kodowaki, 3. Bruce Huff, 4. Otts Akamine, 5. Bruce Large, 6. Kevin Cody, 7. Tom Horton. ER

Dane Zaun

SLICING

the Breakwall

TOGETHER

“We got spoiled last year. seems like everyday we had head high and bigger waves” states Chris Wells as we sit in the El Porto parking lot trying to decide if the 2ft surf was worth shooting. This winter has been a different story. Here, Chris Rodriguez takes advantage of one of the few January swells.

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Rosecrans

The Avenue’s didn’t get

much of the January swell. Alex Grey made it home just in time for the one day it was firing. Photo: Randy Ruby

Chris Rodriguez coming around the corner

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LAUNCH TIME

While most of the crowd was scrapping for the larger outside sets, Shaun Burell sat inside and caught twice as many waves without the hassle. Here he launches across one on the racier inside sections.

Chris Wells spent a few years surfing the tour. Here he shows one of his patented “Wellsy Slashes” in El Porto. Photo by Scott Gorski

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There is a chiropratic office on almost every corner in the South Bay. Turns like this makes you realize why. Jaime Meistrell keeping them in business.

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Years Surfing:

My Dad would bring us to the beach at Marine Street, Manhattan Beach, when we lived in Baldwin Hills. I’m guessing that was around 1965. My brothers and I would rent the blue and yellow canvas mats from “Lee’s Marine and Strand” and we each learned how to surf on those. So doing the math, I’ve been surfing 45+ years...jeez!!!

Favorite SB Spot:

The North end of Manhattan, around 32nd street, works best for me on a daily basis. I have parking at my buddy Mike Lee’s house, my brother lives on 33rd Street in Manhattan, my Dad lives on 27th street in Manhattan and there are consistent El Porto like waves there, minus the El Porto crowd. The locals that surf in that area are all very nice and considerate in the water as well. It’s a good vibe out there! That said, I am a true blue 1st street MB local as that’s where I grew up surfing with my friends and have many cool memories from there. When the waves get big and the North end is basically un-ridable, my go-to spot is the Redondo Breakwater. If the Wall is not happening, I will head up to PV and check Exiles which holds a giant North West swell.

Ride: Currently I’m riding a 6’4 Firewire Dominator which I’m having

a lot of fun on. I just broke in half my 6’4 Channel Islands Pod, which I loved and rode for two years. When the waves get big, I dust off my red 7’6 Becker, which has been a magic board for me for 25+ years. That says a lot about Phil Becker’s shaping talent! I have in waiting, a 10’6 Pat Reardon Elephant Gun, but the waves have not gotten big enough for that blade yet!

Travels: I’ve been lucky enough to surf in countries such as Australia, Fiji, Morocco, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, France, and England.

Wheels: I drive a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner, but have a 1962 Rambler American as a back-up

Inspiration:

First and foremost-- My Dad. He’s an incredible man who I can not say enough praise about. He’s 80 years old now and in better shape than I am. He still gets in the water for a paddle and occasional wave. He’s my go-to when I need any sort of advice. We see each other weekly for lunch and breakfast-- times which I cherish. Next would be my brother Mark. Surfing-wise, I’ve been in his shadow all my life. He still rips! His surfing is smooth and stylish, as it was in 1974 when he won the United States Surfing Championships. We surf together all the time and he still pushes me. He is also a sucker when it comes to picking up the breakfast tab. ike Purpus has been my hero since I started surfing. My surfing, in every aspect, has Mike Purpus’s hand-print on it. He was a huge influence on me.

DEREK LEVY LOCAL PROFILE

Next Trip: Oh man... Bali, The Maldives,The Mentawais, Java, Jeffrey’s Bay.. That’d be a good start to that wish list!

Occupation: I’m a Chiropractor and also own a real estate firm with my friend, Jeff Horn. I “Crack Your Back and Sell Your Shack!”

Words of Advise:

Gerry Lopez said,” The best surfer in the water is the one with the biggest smile”. I subscribe to this philosophy. I try to keep cool in the water, be friendly, share waves, help teach, and encourage. When I do these things, I find myself surfing with a smile. CIVIC CIVIC

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ADMIRATION

Sometimes we all need to stop and admire what we seek.

TRAVEL

Photo by Rachel Tanner

With its crystalline blue water, gentle trade winds blowing offshore on the northwest coast, palm trees swaying over white sand beaches, and hundreds of reefs, points and beaches, it’s almost surprising that surfing didn’t really start in Puerto Rico until the late ‘50s. Local boys Jose Rodriguez, Guille Bermuda and Rafy Viella are credited as being the first to surf the north and northwest coasts; the first surf shop was opened in San Juan in 1960 by American surfer Gary Hoyt, and dozens of locals started taking to the waves around the city and on the northwest coast in the early part of the decade. But it was the 1968 World Surfing Championships -- won by Fred Hemmings and Margo Godfrey -- that really put Puerto Rico on the surfing map. Worldwide exposure -- right at a time that surfing was itself really expanding -- sent planeload after planeload of (mainly) American surfers to PR’s wave-soaked shoreline, quickly earning it the title of the “Hawaii of the Atlantic”. -Surfline CIVIC

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Puerto Rico

CROWDS

In a word: yes. Most all surf spots in Puerto Rico have a cadre of local and expat surfers -- and bodyboarders -- who are on it when conditions are good and/or on weekends and holidays. The only chance you’ll be surfing alone is if you find an out-of-the-way spot, of which there are many and some quite good. But many of the best and most accessible ones are spoken for -- and some rather loudly.

HAZARDS Sure, cabrón: Sea urchins, sharp, shallow reef, jellyfish and strong currents are the most common threats; sharks are out there but most locals don’t pay ‘em any mind and there’s never been a shark attack on a surfer. There’s the annoying little “pichu-pichu”, like sea lice that pinches your skin and can cause a rash all over your body -- but most of the time, you’re too busy with the surf to pay attention to such trifling matters. Sticky fingers. Keep a close eye on your things.

THE SEASONS SUMMER

School and Colleges are out -- and so is the swell, usually. July-November is hurricane season, sure, but they’re pretty fickle through the dog days of summer, when the water temps reach 85 and air temps vary between the high 80s and low 100s. Most people are just searching for shade or an occasional wave from a passing South American Cold Front or tropical wave on the South Shore.

FALL Time to get your quiver ready. Steady North Atlantic storms start kicking into gear in late September; the super-deep Puerto Rican trench amplifies the resulting north swells, which brings consistent -- not giant -- surf to the North Shore of the Atlantic.

WINTER This is when surfers from all over the world (though mainly East Coasters) make their pilgrimage to the juice. November through February sees a near constant string of lowpressure systems off the Eastern Seaboard, most of which generate some kind of surf for PR -- some of it quite large, too.

SPRING This can be a time for the beloved vientos alisios (offshore winds). It’s a time of transition, and while swells aren’t as bomber as wintertime, they can be reasonably consistent and fun, in the shoulder- to head-high zone with Photo by Rachel Tanner the occasional overhead swell, even into May. Get more information about Planning a trip to Puerto Rico visit

Adventure Sports Tours website by clicking here

TRAVEL Tres Palmas

Adventure Sport Tours (AST) photographer Rachel Tanner snapped this bomb on one of the tours offered by AST.

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SHACK SEQUENCE Marcelo Malincio getting shacked at his favorite spot.

Daniel Peterson dropiing in on a burnout bomb. Photo: Randy Ruby

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DANIEL

WA DAYTON ALEX LUHRSON

ALLS

BROWNING -BREWER

DANE

Chris Wells up close and personal. Photo: Jeff Yusa

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On a morning in Hermosa with mostly closeouts, Chio Baldacci finds one with breathing room.

Keeping an eye on the incoming sets from the wall.

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It was moves like this which earned Dayton Silva 1st place in the South Bay Surf Series opening contest.

HAMMERLAND Photo: Jeff Yusa

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Aerialist Dane Zaun mid flight

Dayton Silva

laying it down in El Porto

Sometimes everything lines up just right. An unknown surfer gets his new years wish to come true.

WIPEOUTS

Final Shot

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