CIVIC COUCH South Bay Surf Culture
PLUS: Local Shop Spotlight Surf Events Local Profiles Travel And More!
Q&A with
Matt Pagan
CIVIC COUCH {Contributors}_______________________ Listed Alphabetically
Bryce lowe-White
Currently Assistant Editor at FUEL TV On-Air Promotions and a Freelance Photographer, Bryce pursures his passions of surfing ,photography and cinematography where ever they may lead him. You can visit his website by clicking HERE.
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 Jeff’s shots have been published on numerous websites and have won surfline awards. You can view his picture profile by clicking HERE.
Peter Dive
Born in Sydney, Australia, Peter now resides in Hollywood and mainly shoots the South Bay. He has published photos on surfline.com( Dane Zaun,Dane Reynolds, Miguel Pupo,Matt Pagan,Matt Chernega,Brett Simpson) Australian Surfing Life Magazine. HSS 2011 Calendar, Katin advertisment featuring Matt Pagan,Aftermath Surfboards advertisment featuring Matt Mohagan.
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 haven’t seen his dolphin pic’s, check his facebook profile.
Ricky Lesser
Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, Ricky grew up in the water. He graduated from the Brooks Institute of Photography with a degree as a visual journalist. Ricky current resides in Redondo Beach and recently fell victim to ....Facebook! You can view Ricky’s website by CLICKING HERE On The Cover: Matt Pagan getting deep
Photo Credit: Bryce Lowe-White CIVIC
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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 Bryce Lowe-White, Ricky Lesser, Randy Ruby, Jeff Yusa, Peter Dive, 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 brad@civiccouch.com 310.406.5998 CIVIC
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From The Editor:
O
ur first “South Bay Surf” issue was released last month. Thanks to everyone who gave us feedback, the responses were incredible. As an online only magazine, it was great to hear that not only did our readers enjoy the layout but were also excited to read the local profile, events, travel and shapers bay features. This month we have added another feature spotlighting the up and coming local talent (Kent Nishiya). We will continue to feature this and the existing features monthly. If you have any ideas for future features please let us know. February came and went without any true entries into the South Bay Boardriders Big Wave contest. This contest goes through March (ending on the 31st) and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a big swell. A special thanks to all of the photographers who helped out with this issue. I am very excited to be able to share their work with you.
Sincerely, Brad Jacobson Publisher www.civiccouch.com
Editors Note: We found out who the “unknown surfer” is on this wave. None other than Rick Noguchi, author of The Wave He Caught and The Ocean Inside Kenji Takezo.
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OPENING SHOT
Photo: Bryce Lowe-White
FEB / MARCH CIVIC
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LAUNCHING PAD People often sit on the beach or in the line-up at El Porto and watch the planes take off from LAX. This air gave the people in the plane something to look at. Photo: Brad Jacobson
FEB / MARCH
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THROWING
Timing is everything when shooting. Here, Randy Ruby timed it out just right as the wave opened wide.
E.T. Surf light Local Shop Spot By Chris Wells
W
hen you walk into ET you can always feel the energy. Unlike most of the cookie-cutter surf shops today, ET oozes with the vibrations of years of hardcore skaters and surfers passing through it. The decor is no frills/get the job done. Today I am here to meet two of ET’s managers with 22 and 20 years of experience respectively. Daniel Del Castillo and Dan Connell. I hit Daniel up with a few quick-fire questions.....So Daniell, where is Eddie Talbot these days? Daniels’ reply is simple: “He is near and crackin’ the whip!”. Daniell, what brands of surfboards do you carry? Daniels tells me about the seven different boards they carry including Al Merrick, Lost, JS, Firewire, Rusty, Pat Ryan and Chilli’s. I turn and Daniel has run downstairs to help a customer as Dan Connell picks up without missing a beat. “We have had a great run with our shortboards sales and selections in recent years. Some years ago all the boards were coming in around 18” wide with tons of rocker and your average surfer just couldn’t ride them. Today, we have a variety of boards that are wider, thicker and heavier set guys can easily ride them”.......
Next, its quick-fire time for Dan. So Dan, when is the build-out going to be done and how much space have you added? Dan laughes and says, “we have doubled our space downstairs and it is going to take twice as long as those construction guys said it would!” When I look up, Eddy Talbot is standing in front of me. We chat briefly about the shop and I can’t help but think back to when I first met Eddy. It was in Manhattan Beach at my Junior High schoool and Eddy was the guest speaker explaining to all of us surf stoked groms what the surf industry was all about. When I walked in the class with my Erich K Design sweatshirt on Eddy yelled out....”You got the wrong sweatshirt on!” The entire class laughed. Eddy’s been laughing ever since.
As i drove out of the parking lot thinking back over all the years they have been in that same location, I thought to myself, “Damm, there really only is one ET.................Since 1971.
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SLOTTED Greg Mcewan, right place right time. Photo: Peter Dive
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VISIT US AT 2001 N. SEPULVEDA BLVD. MANHATTAN BEACH
310.545.7397 WWW.SURFCONCEPTS.COM
Spread: Fins Free in flight, Dan Zaun Left (top to bottom): Afternoon delight, Kelly Zaun, evening flair All Photos: Ricky Lesser
Soo Peaky
This February day brought fun head high waves across the South Bay. Here, Holly Beck finds one and tears it’s head off. Photo: Brad Jacobson CIVIC 16 COUCH
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South Bay Surf Series #2
Matt Pagan held off Tedd Robinson to grab first place in the Men’s Division South Bay Boardriders Club Hosted the First Surf Series By Kevin Cody - Easy Reader
The men’s open final of the South Bay Board Riders contest came down to a battle between the kid and the old guy, and between wetsuit rivals Body Glove and O’Neill. The weatherman was predicting rain and wind, which there were, but not until late Saturday afternoon, as the contest was winding down at 45th Street in Manhattan Beach. During the morning and early afternoon, contestants enjoyed clean conditions and head high swells with so many peaks breaking in either direction that the judges had trouble keeping an eye on everyone who was up. Body Glove, which sponsored the contest, sent team rider Matt Pagan to uphold local honor. The 21-year-old El Porto regular got the job done, but not without a challenge from former Body Glove surfer and former El Porto regular Ted Robinson. The 47-year-old Robinson now works for O’Neil Wetsuits in Orange County. Robinson finished second to Pagan in the open division and first in the masters (40-49) division. In the women’s division former West Torrance standout Natalie Anzivino edged out Becca Rosen for the second time in as many months. Anzivino and Rosen finished one, two in the inaugural SBBC surf series contest last month at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach. Approximately 150 surfers, ranging from micro groms (under 9) to legends (over 50) participated in 10 divisions, including women’s open and junior women’s. For more information visit SouthBayBoardriders.com. CIVIC
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Dane Zaun flying to a sixth place finish
Ted Robinson en route to the finals
South Bay Surf Series #2
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Alex Gray deep and focused Photo: Bryce Lowe-White
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“What I love about the South Bay Beaches are the back drops of oil tankers.. you would never find them anywhere near our surf beaches in Sydney.. “- Peter Dive Here Peter uses Anthony Walsh as his backdrop Rosecrans
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Getting Deep Chris Wells draws a line and holds Photo: Brad Jacobson
Chris Rodriguez coming around the corner
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Shooting from the water has it’s advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: A Beautiful angles like this Disadvantages: Going over with the lip Bryce Lowe White sacraficing himself for this shot of Alex Gray
Steve Howe throwing seaweed on a chilly February morning Phot: Brad Jacobson
Photo by Scott Gorski
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Jaime Meistrell leaving a trail Photo: Brad Jacobson
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Matt Pagan
LOCAL PROFILE
Matt Pagan fought his way through a tough field during February’s “South Bay Surf Series #2” to grab first place in the Men’s Division. We caught up with Matt shortly afterwards to spotlight him on this months Local Profile feature.
After his heat at the Katin Pro Photo: Peter Dive
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Matt Pagan
Years Surfing: I learned to surf when I was about 11 years old and I started competing and surfing everyday when I was 15/16. I played baseball growing up and that always came first until I chose surfing. Favorite SB Spot: I like Hermosa and the Avenues when its firing but all the spots from El Porto north are my favorite. Ride: My favorite board for small, mushy days is my 5’8 “Modern 80’s” and my go to board for the good days is a 6’1 “MP3.” All my boards are shaped by Robert Weiner. Travels: The past couple years I’ve been fortunate to travel. I’ve been to the Mentawai Islands, Western Australia, Scottland, France, Spain, Basque Contry, Portugal, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Canada. Wheels: I drive a 2010 Gunmetal V6 Toyota Tacoma. I love it, good on gas and gets all my stuff down to the beach! Inspiration: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dane Reynolds and anyone who loves what they do, realizes what they have and capatalizes on it with everything they got Surf Trip You Want To Take: A boat trip to the Mentawai’s with my brother (filmer), my Dad, my girl and a bunch of friends and just surf our brains out. That place is something special and I’m dying to go back!
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Sponsors: Body Glove head-to-toe, Jacks Surfshop, Sanuk, Smith Optics, Xtrak, Roberts Surfboards, Watermans, and Hookup Wireless Worst Thing About Contest: Having to surf bad waves. But to be the best, you got to be able to do it all! Pre-Surf Music: I like to blast Rap and Dubstep in my car before I surf. Get all nutttsss. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: I see myself surfing, hopefully on tour and making a living at what I love to do. Favorite Surfers: Dane Reynolds and Mick Fanning Words Of Advise: Hard work pays off
To find out more about Matt, check out his blog by clicking HERE
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Facelift
Jalian Johnston at Burnout Photo: Jeff Yusa
TRAVEL
Nicaragua green Photo by Rachel Tanner Photo: Adventure Sports Tours
Nicaragua is not -- contrary to what many folks are saying -- the next Costa Rica. Sure, it’s cheap, beautiful, and uncrowded; and yeah, the Costa Rican border is about 50 miles from Popoyo, as the crow flies. Sure, one year “Tourism and Nicaragua” made the front travel page of the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as being featured in GQ. Not to mention 2002’s “Camp Hobgood” in Surfing magazine. And as all of the above say, it’s getting safer, more tourist amenities pop up all the time, and did we mention beautiful? Right. But here’s the rub: The surf, while really fun, darned consistent, warm, and offshore all day (we’ll get to that), is not world class. Costa has a half-dozen world-class waves within its borders, as does El Salvador. The southwestern coast of Nicaragua has some epic beachbreaks, a few good reefbreaks, a couple fickle pointbreaks, and one heaving outer-reef slab, but nothing that matches Pavones or La Libertad for sheer perfection. -Surfline CIVIC
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NICARAGUA
CROWDS
As this stretch of coast gets more popular, more and more boats will show up. Lack of land-based access at many spots insure either an empty lineup or a crowded lineup, as boats usually have a mini-crowd on ‘em. It’s always best NOT to paddle out right away, especially if there are eight of you. Drink some water, check it out, and try to take your turn. You’re on holiday and it’s going to stay offshore all day, remember?
HAZARDS Apart from a few fairly sharp reefs, you’re mainly going to be surfing beachbreak. Exhaustion and dehydration are your biggest enemies here; make sure you’re in good shape before you leave home, ‘cause you can surf eight hours a day due to the offshores. Drink lots of water. There are scorpions and other assorted critters, but again, because it’s so dry, there are not many mosquitoes.
THE SEASONS SUMMER
Generally considered to be the best time for both south swells and moderate offshore winds. Can be pretty crowded.
FALL Can get south swells that never make it to California. Winds tend to be good -- though it can rain a lot -- and the crowds are back in school.
WINTER Offshore/sideshore winds can be really strong this time of year -- sometimes creating upwelling, which can chill the water down to the high 60s -- and south swells can be few and far between. North swells miss this zone. Not the best time to go.
SPRING Early season south swells can make their way into the beachbreaks and reefbreaks in this zone, though it still can be quite windy with semi-chilly water. . Get more information about
Planning a trip to Puerto Rico visit
Adventure Sports Tours website by clicking here
TRAVEL Nicaragua
South Bay local Chris Wells enjoying his trip with Adventure Sport Tours (AST)
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Holly Beck spends a little time hidding out in the South Bay between trips Photo: Brad Jacobson
Chris Wells showing his smooth side Photo: Brad Jacobson
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Dane Zaun getting his sponsors noticed Photo: Brad Jacobson
Black and White emptiness Photo: Bryce Lowe White
Paddle view Photo: Bryce Lowe White
RISING TALENT
KENT NISHIYA Age: 17 School: El Segundo High Do you surf for your schools surf team? I surf for the school but currently we do not have surf class :( Sponsors: Three Dice Clothing, AXXE Wetsuits, ET Surf Shop. Best Contest Results: Got first in the Volcom Santa Cruz contest and 2nd place overall right now in qualifying for the championships Favorite Local Spot: El Porto Where do you see yourself in 5 years? doing more pro junior events, graduate college and travelling Favorite Surf Trip: Costa Rica with my friend Ashton Malkin from Malibu When your not surfing you are...: skating, sleeping, hanging out with friends, or eating. Favorite Surfers: Tom Curren, Dane Reynolds, Aryn Farris In your ipod (top 5 bands): Cab 20(local Band), Collie Buddz, The Strokes, Goons of Doom, LCD Soundsystem
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Mike Edwards- Rosecrans Photo: Brad Jacobson
Chris Wells, Rosecrans
Shaun Burrell airing it out
Photo: Bryce Lowe White
Redondo Beach Peak Photo: Brad Jacobson
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Mr. Peterson making it look easy Photo: Randy Ruby
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February did not bring us any huge swells, it did bring some fun ones. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Throwing Into The Light Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Julian Johnston positioned at the ave’s. Photo: Bryce Lowe-White
Dane Zaun FLYINGthrough the evening sky Photo: Ricky Lesser
Michael Luhrson at his favorite break Photo: Brad Jacobson
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Final Shot
Many guys in the South Bay can launch but this is a little... Real or??? Photo: Ricky Lesser
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