2 minute read

EDEN AND ZION

Walla

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

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Surfrider sat down with John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as Deputy National Climate Advisor Mary Frances Repko.

“Our meeting with the Biden administration was inspiring, not only because we met with key leaders working on climate change, but also because we came with passion, knowledge, diversity, and determination,” said Stefanie Sekich, Surfrider’s Coasts and Climate Initiative senior manager.

It goes without saying that nothing happens overnight in Washington, D.C., but by showing up with such a large, dedicated, passionate group, and being so well-versed on such a wide array of issues, the Surfrider Foundation continues to be a critical voice in the fight for the coastal environment and protecting the beaches we all enjoy so much.

“In my experience, Surfrider Foundation’s annual Coastal Recreation Hill Day is the most inspiring and effective ocean

Surf Forecast

Water Temperature: 57-58 Degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 1-2’ and coastal recreation advocacy opportunity that I have had the privilege to attend,” said Cathey Curtis, general manager of Roxy. “Each year, I come away with an incredible amount of gratitude for the Surfrider crew and their advocacy work and a renewed commitment of support for the organization.”

Outlook: Friday morning’s surf is waistshoulder high (3-4’+) for decent breaks and best summer and combo focal points go larger at times, as the northwest swell mix fades and southerly swell builds to a peak. Size on the south swell holds into Saturday while the northwest energy falls off though the weekend. Look for summer breaks to generally hold Saturday, down just a touch on Sunday as reinforcing south swell shows. Light/variable wind early Saturday trends onshore from the west in the afternoon. Sunday will see a return of weak east trending south wind in the morning, before west wind builds in the afternoon.

Reflecting on the event, Luca Fasulo, founder of Surfrider’s new Corona del Mar High School Student Club in Southern California, said, “I feel empowered and inspired to continue relentlessly advocating for change in my city and county, as well as educating my peers on how we can contribute to creating a sustainable future for our oceans.” DP at the time, they got out there and got after it with the surf pumping. It was pretty obvious they were going places—and preferably in big waves.

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation.

“So stoked,” said a beaming Zion.

Wildly successful among the NSSA ranks, the brother-and-sister duo have a savvy competitive act, but that’s just the start of it. Pulling into barrels, chasing swells, driving boats, diving for fish, they’re full-on water people. They’re also adept rock climbers, because variety is the spice of life.

To be transparent, I’m on the digital marketing team at Rip Curl and couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to work with Eden, Zion and their family.

The Walla siblings play an integral role in the emergence of the next generation of local legends that includes friends and competitors around them, including Tanner Sandvig in San Clemente and Marlo Harris in Dana Point. Their crew is tight, and the sky truly is the limit when it comes to surfing’s future in the area. DP

“I’m proud right now,” said Eden after signing her new contract.

In 2018, they showed up at the Gudauskas brothers’ annual Stoke-O-Rama surf contest, and while not much bigger than a sand flea

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.

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