Santa Cruz Waves April/May 2016 Issue 2.6

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LIVE THE LIFESTYLE

VOLUME 2.6 - APRIL/MAY 2016

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24hr Test Drive!

Friendly Sales Managers

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NEW 2015/2016 TOYOTAS USED CARS & TRUCKS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED

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(831) 688-7442 (83 www.deluxx www.deluxefoodsofaptos.com

783 Rio Del Mar a Blvd ar #25 Aptos, CA 95003

Deluxe Foods has been the Aptos area’s favorite grocery store for almost 40 years and we are proud to offer great products and services to our customers year round. Deluxe is a one stop shop for all your entertaining needs. The managers are always happy to work with the customer’s requests and special orders to make sure you are getting exactly what you want.

Local & family owned

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COME

TO OF APTOS FOR

DELUXE FOODS ALL YOUR ENTERTAINING NEEDS Deluxe Foods has everything you need for your Springtime BBQ’s, and Memorial weekend get togethers!

local wine

artisan cheese tasty bakery

specialty meats

fresh flowers

fresh produce

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Rise and shine to a fusion of fuchsia in this Santa Cruz sunrise. PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

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Feel the Difference

vitalbodytherapy.com

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#BROWSQUAD

SANTA CRUZ WAVES M AG A ZINE

PUBLISHER TYLER FOX

EDITOR ELIZABETH LIMBACH

PHOTO EDITOR PAUL TOPP

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHERS KENAN CHAN YVONNE FALK TYLER FOX ANNA HAT TIS JEFF "KOOKSON”GIDEON DAVID LEVY SEAN MCLEAN DAVE "NELLY" NELSON MICHAEL PEGRAM PAUL TOPP

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JESS ATKINSON RYAN "CHACHI” CRAIG SACHI CUNNINGHAM CORY GENOVESE RUSTY MALKEMES ELIZABETH PEPIN CHELSEA PLEMONSJONES

EDITORIAL

WRITERS DAVE DE GIVE TYLER FOX JOEL HERSCH LINDA KOFFMAN ELIZABETH LIMBACH BEN MARCUS LESLIE MUIRHEAD NEIL PEARLBERG

ARIC SLEEPER MELISSA SPIERS

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR JOSH BECKER

DESIGNER ELI ROE

SALES

VP OF SALES STEPHANIE LUTZ

Santa Cruz Waves, INC. PRESIDENT JON FREE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SUZIE JOSEPH K ATE K AUFFMAN SADIE WIT TKINS DISTRIBUTION MICK FREEMAN

PROOFREADER JOSIE COWDEN CONTRIBUTING ARTIST JOE FENTON

FOUNDER / CEO TYLER FOX On the Cover: Lunch room, living room, bedroom ... Who are we kidding? The “green room" is our favorite room. Photo: @chachfiles

The content of Santa Cruz Waves Magazine is Copyright © 2015 by Santa Cruz Waves, Inc. No part may be reproduced in any fashion without written consent of the publisher. Santa Cruz Waves Magazine is free of charge, available at more than 100 local distribution points. Anyone inserting, tampering with or diverting circulation will be prosecuted. Santa Cruz Waves assumes no responsibility for content of advertisements.

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To order a paid subscription, visit santacruzwaves.com.

FI ND US ONLI NE www.SantaCruzWaves.com @SANTACRUZWAVES

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INSIDE

Volume 2.6 - APRIL/MAY 2016

44

54

38

68 FIRST LOOK

DROP IN

FOOD & DRINK

21 Santa Cruz Waves Beer Week Schedule 22 Letter from the Founder 30 Best of the Web 37 Word on the Street 38 Local Legend: Rob Roskopp

44 In Depth: The Curse of the Great Lakes 54 Faces of Surf: Peter Mel 62 Sports Achievement: Katie & Tommy Zaferes 68 The 2016 Swellies Awards 94 Behind the Lens: Sachi Cunningham 102 Art: Lucas Musgrave

119 Local Eats: Sojourn Box 121 Drinks for Your Gut 122 Dining Guide

COOL OFF 136 Upcoming Events 141 Comic: In the Bubble 142 Event Gallery

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Summer’s almost here! It’s time to get your sandals, wedges

and spring heels!

Loving Santa Cruz for 28 years ŎĂŎĂ {±ÏĜĀÏ eƴåĹƚåØ ±ĹƋ± ųƚDŽ Î íƐŎţĉƖĿţƅŎLjŎ SockshopAndShoeCo.com

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Santa Cruz Waves

meet the Brewer

Beer Week May 23 -M ay 27

All events take place from 5–9 p.m. and include beer specials, a chance to meet the brewer, special food pairings, and all-around fun. Visit santacruzwaves.com/beerweek for details about the music, food and more at each location.

MondaY, May 23

Wednesday, May 25

, ,

Assembly Featuring Shanty Shack Brewing 1108 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz assembleforfood.com

Mission St. BBQ Featuring Alvarado Street Brewery 1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz missionstbbq.com

Tuesday,

May 24 West End Tap Room Featuring Humble Sea Brewing Co. & Elkhorn Slough Brewing 334 D Ingalls St., Santa Cruz westendtap.com The Hophead Public House Featuring Discretion Brewing & Steel Bonnet Brewing Company 18 Victor Sq., Scotts Valley beahophead.com

Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery Featuring Discretion Brewing & Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 800 41st Ave., Santa Cruz pleasurepizzasc.com

Thursday,

May 26 Parish Publick House Featuring Uncommon Brewers & Santa Cruz Ale Works 841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz Seabright Brewery 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz seabrightbrewery.com Aptos St. BBQ Featuring Sante Adairius Rustic Ales 8059 Aptos St., Aptos aptosstbbq.com

Friday, May 27

The Cremer House Featuring Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 6256 Hwy 9, Felton cremerhouse.com

Special

East Cliff Brewing Company Featuring Surf City Sandwiches 21517 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz eastcliffbrewing.com

food pairings

santacruzwaves.com/beerweek acruzwaves.com/bee

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FIRST LOOK LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

#sorrynotsorry

Tyler Fox steep and deep in the Mavericks bowl. PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

T

his past El Niño season was one for the books. I think most people can attest that they’ve surfed and witnessed more flawless lines, beautiful barrels and jaw-dropping walls of water this winter than in the past 20-plus years. And this doesn’t just apply to NorCal—from San Diego to Hawaii, Australia to France, and everywhere in between, surfers have been dealing with a serious case of noodle arms. I am very fortunate to have family, friends and business partners who are all fully aware that salt water runs through my veins, and surfing is what

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keeps me sane. That being said, I’d like to take this opportunity to issue an apology—to everyone. I apologize for the times I was late to dinner due to the “just one more” effect of an amazing session. I apologize that I replied to your email a week late or maybe forgot altogether because my brain was water-logged from so many duck dives. I apologize to my body for the excessive sun exposure and chafed armpits. I could go on and on … I bet the flower shops made a killing this year from surfers buying “I’m Sorry” bouquets. Luckily for me, El Niño didn’t really ruin my life and I truly hope

it didn’t ruin yours. Sure, you may have been dealt the dog-house card, dislocated your shoulder or received a tongue-lashing from the boss for your teen-like tardiness, but wasn’t it worth it? I know—it’s hard to say goodbye, but let’s not forget to give thanks and rejoice for the winter of 2016 and the phenomenon commonly known as El Niño.

—Tyler F Fox Founder of Santa Cruz Wa Waves and Titans of Mavericks competitor

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E D I U G M O GR Classes & Open Gyms Camps & Birthday Parties Parents Night Out Come Join the Fun! 831-464-BUGS(2847) www.junebugsgym.com Like us on facebook junebugs gym gynastics

CALL US OR CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS:

391O PORTOLA DRIVE, SUITES 2 & 3 r SANTA CRUZ, CA 95O62

Jim Booth Swim School The

BEST

in

Like Fa m il y !

BABY SWIMMING

NOW with locations in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Watsonville

I wouldn't be the surfer I am today without the help of Jim's swim school! -Tyler Fox

J I M BO O T H S W I M S C H O O L .C O M | 7 2 2 -3 5 0 0

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831.661.0184 | www.tigerbjj.com 7960-D Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003

Camp Gateway 2016 C Ă•Â˜i Ă“äĂŒÂ… ‡ Ä?Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒ xĂŒÂ… Â‡ĂˆĂŒÂ… >Ăž >“ U n >“ ‡ x\ĂŽä “

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Little/Jr. Guard pick up & drop off!

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Summer Camp 2016 | ages 3-9 In addition to exploring the magic at the 108 acres of Redwood Forest Campus we will X

• make new friends • develop mindfulness • practice compassion with ourselves • learn environmental stewardship

Please call 832.463.9632 for more information or visit w w w . t a r a r e d w o o d s c h o o l . o r g

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FIRST LOOK

BEST of the WEB

I INSTAGRAM

5 VIDEOS

R NEWS

@PETER_MEL DROPS INTO A FLAWLESS MONSTER AT MAVERICKS @ayemreallyamermaid 1,928 likes

A DRONE’S VIEW OF MAVERICKS Mavericks went off—and when we say went off, we mean “bestin-five-years” conditions. 7,314 views

TITANS OF MAVERICKS When Nic Lamb won the 2016 Titans of Mavericks contest, his board shaper, Stretch Surfboards, also came away with a victory. 3,019 views

SEASCAPE BEACH RESORT @zorro_del_mar 1,853 likes

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL CAPITOLA From New Brighton State Beach and Capitola Village to the Capitola Wharf, you have never seen Capitola like this. 6,006 views

HIGHWAY 35 The area where Old La Honda Road crosses the Summit was a center of activity in the late 1800s, when it was known as Summit Landing. 2,003 views

@KAI_LENNY AT MAVERICKS @nellysmagicmoments 2,204 likes

WALTON LIGHTHOUSE @Levymediaworks 1,815 likes

100-FOOT WAVE HITS SHIP Had the ship been much smaller, this blow could have been catastrophic. 22,087 views

THROWN OVER THE FALLS Some serious shore pounding almost costs one unlucky bodyboarder his legs. 4,570 views

OTTER BIRTH A rare daytime sea otter birth is caught on camera. 5,146 views

THE FIRING OF CHARLES LESTER Why did the California Coastal Commission fire its director despite hundreds of people standing up in his defense? 1,900 views

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santacruzwaves.com/videos @santacruzwaves santacruzwaves.com/local-loop

Entering the Network Chiropractic Wellness Center is a wonderfully welcoming experience—testimonials,

Bjorn Bostrom, D.C. Owner Network Chiropractic Wellness Center

invitations to workshops and potluck roundtables, and a warm, happy staff immediately embrace visitors from all walks of life. Dr. Bjorn has a special passion for providing comprehensive care to those who are stuck at a crossroads: those who have tried different modalities and treatments to address chronic pain or issues without lasting results. Rather than masking symptoms he taps into the full human potential, creating breakthroughs in performance and conscious healing through proper care of the whole person and their core nervous system.

149 Josephine St. Suite A Santa Cruz, CA 95060

831.459.8434 bjorn@spinalsense.com www.spinalsense.com

Striding into the room with a firm handshake and a beaming smile—radiating immense focus and energy—Dr. Bjorn takes a quick hour to chat about his unique Santa Cruz practice.

paid advertisement

MS:

BB: Trauma of any kind traps the nervous system in “fight or flight” response – helping people get “unstuck” and helping them get their life back produces a profound and lasting change. People fall in love with themselves again, and it’s a magical moment. I merge the practical (how do I heal/help myself?) with comprehensive plans and performance goals for preventing spinal decay, which allows people to stay fluid in life and themselves in the way they want to authentically move. A lot of things make us feel good or look better from the outside in, but sustainable, true, abundant health—radiant health—comes from the inside out: your spine is the core of what you can do and be. MS:

...helping people get “unstuck” and helping them get their life back produces a profound and lasting change.

Let’s talk about that passion right off the bat – what inspires you about your work?

What drew you to chiropractic?

BB: As an NCAA distance runner in college I experienced chronic overuse problems—I was always in the training room looking for answers but nothing helped longterm. While developing the Human Performance Lab at Seattle Swedish Hospital and studying exercise physiology I discovered chiropractic as I helped other athletes (and myself) set performance goals and look for solutions. MS:

What are your specialties?

BB: I practice Network Chiropractic—a gentle but powerful global technique that does not involve popping or cracking. Specializing in the upper cervical region (neck and upper spine), I work with a lot of repetitive whiplash injuries in surfers, dancers, etc. I am also one of the few chiropractors specializing in corrective care. MS:

who do you treat?

BB: I treat the whole family and those from all walks of life. There are so many ways in which people are stuck and struggling with more than just pain; I find breakthroughs and solutions for the chronic and acute injuries—physical and otherwise—that keep people from doing what they love. by Melissa Spiers SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 3 1

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Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3-6pm The only brewery in town with a full bar! *See website for details

Located between the Boardwalk & the Yacht Harbor • 2 Blocks from Seabright Beach S A N TA C R U Z , C A • E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 8 8 •

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519 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz | 831.426.2739 | SeabrightBrewery.com Open Daily: 11:30am - 11:30pm

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FIRST LOOK WORD ON THE STREET By ANNA HATTIS

What is your craziest bartending story?

I was working at a two-story bar on a busy Friday night with lots of people. This young woman at the bar is just getting really drunk, taking shot after shot, getting more and more drinks. Finally, she went to the bathroom and we started to wonder because she was in there for quite a long time. Then she comes out and all of a sudden we see water spewing into the halls from the bathroom, flooding everywhere. Then we see her with something under her jacket. As she is scuttling away, we go to the bathroom to find the toilet missing. She stole the toilet!

One of my regulars rolled in as usual and ordered his beer. When I turned to look at him, his face was completely scraped up, his forehead was gashed open, and blood was coming down everywhere. I asked him what had happened. He casually told me that he was walking across the train trestle and fell off into the water and crawled out. After falling off the train trestle he walked straight here and ordered a beer like nothing was wrong. I called him an ambulance and he got upset with me because he didn't want to have to pay the ambulance bill. Years later he sadly passed away because he took another fall off the trestle and the metal plate in his head shifted.

Madison Lawrence

Jessica Dunegan

Motiv

Seabright Brewery

My boyfriend was working down by the Wharf, and a homeless man came in and said there was a seal on the beach that was hurt. My boyfriend told the man that there was nothing he could do about it, but that he would call animal services. The homeless man went away for a little, came back, and threw the seal straight into the restaurant! [Another time], this guy came in [where I bartend] and for almost every drink he ordered he would tip $100. He also gave the bouncers $300 and he even started making forts out of $100 bills. He tipped the waiters $100 bills as well.

I used to bartend across the street from a rehab. One time a woman came in from off the street and said to me that she wanted to pay her tab. I told her that she didn't have a tab, because I had never seen her in my life. She said, “If you don't let me pay my tab right now, I am going to kill you.” I told her, “ma’am, I can't charge you for something if I've never seen you—it's illegal.” Then she picked up my ticket/ receipt stabber and held it up to my neck. My manager grabbed her. The woman screamed that she was going to call the cops, ran out the back door, came back in the front door, and then sat in the middle of our floor and peed.

Turiya Blanchette

Melissa Taylor

Zelda’s on the Beach

The Crow’s Nest SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 3 7

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FIRST LOOK LOCAL LEGEND

Rob Roskopp’s indisputable impact, from skateboarding to mountain biking By NEIL PEARLBERG

t is unclear who invented the wheel. However, it is said to have first been used in agriculture and farming well over 5,000 years ago. Fast forward to 1963 in Mount Clemens, Mich., a small suburb north of Detroit and the birthplace of Rob Roskopp—a man who would put a fresh, fun spin on the now-ubiquitous wheel. He did this first by helping to revolutionize skateboarding and, later, as an industry leader in the world of mountain biking. His entrepreneurial days started early, when he would charge his friends a dime to enter neighborhood BMX bike races he organized, some two years before BMX racing became popular in the United States. In the early ’80s when the sport of BMX racing left the limelight more quickly than it had arrived, young Roskopp put down the two wheels of a bicycle and landed goofy footed on a skateboard deck. His fourwheeled passion flourished and he became one of the world’s top skateboarders.

Through a steady diet of skate magazines and movies, Roskopp grew enamored with the California lifestyle, and, at 19 years old, decided to head to the Golden State. Toting nothing more than a backpack, a skateboard and $800 in his pocket, he boarded a Greyhound bus and embarked on the 2,400-mile journey from the Midwest to the bus terminal in San Jose. At the time, Roskopp was semi-sponsored by Huntington Beach company Madrid Skateboards. Shortly after his arrival in San Jose, he began skating with local skate pro Steve Caballero, when, by happenstance, the owner of Independent Trucks took notice of him during a session. Afterward, Roskopp received a proposal to skate for Independent with one stipulation: if he chose to accept the offer to ride their trucks, he would have to do so under the umbrella of one of two skate companies—Powell-Peralta or Santa Cruz Skateboards. “I had always wanted to ride for Santa Cruz, so it was a quick decision,” says Roskopp, who visited Santa Cruz Skateboards founder Rich Novak and head of research and development Tim Piumarta in early 1983. They made a deal, and Roskopp moved to Santa Cruz, where he lived with fellow rider Keith Meek at his mother’s house. Meek, one of Santa Cruz’s first skateboarding stars, remembers those days fondly. “We lived together, skated together, surfed together, worked together and traveled to-

Above: Roskopp became part of the Santa Cruz Skateboards team in 1983. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROB ROSKOPP

X Left: All eyes on Roskopp's highflying antics. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROB ROSKOPP

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FIRST LOOK LOCAL LEGEND

gether,” he says. “We all used to give Roskopp a hard time, being that he was from the Midwest, but we all loved the guy.” It helped that the local skaters were impressed by Roskopp’s skills. “He was an amazing skater, with a really fluid yet powerful style.” Meek says. “He was big, imposing figure, so when he was skating you could

X

“In any business, especially the sports business, you have to live it. If you’re not in it, you’re screwed. That’s why we stay on top—I have been living and breathing the passion since I was 3 years old. It’s simply in my nature.”—Rob Roskopp, CEO of Santa Cruz Bicycles

Above: Roskopp founded Santa Cruz Bicycles in 1993 with the help of his mentor, Richard Novak, after wrapping up his professional skateboarding career with Novak's company, Santa Cruz Skateboards. PHOTO: PAUL TOPP

feel the ramp moving beneath you. He had a huge bag of tricks that could rival some of the best skaters in the world, all of whom had the utmost respect for Rob’s skating.” With artist Jim Phillips, who is responsible for many of the most recognizable skateboard graphics, Santa Cruz Skateboards launched an array of Roskopp skate decks with

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FIRST LOOK LOCAL LEGEND

“Rob is a very inspirational man,” says Ian Gregory Davis, demo program manager for Santa Cruz Bicycles. “He has been steering this company for almost 25 years, achieving tremendous success in making the best, topquality mountain bikes on the market.” His secret? “In any business, especially the sports business, you have to live it,” Roskopp says. “If you’re not in it, you’re screwed. That’s why we stay on top—I have been living and breathing the passion since I was 3 years old. It’s simply in my nature.”

X

clean, well-executed graphics. The subsequent four models in the iconic Roskopp “Target” series have since been the desire of collectors everywhere. Skateboarding was on the fast track to popularity, and Novak was at the helm. Roskopp rode his mentor’s coattails into not only becoming one of the world’s most influential skaters, but also one of the most successful figures in action sports. After retiring from professional skateboarding in 1990, Roskopp enrolled in night school to study business and began working part time at Santa Cruz Skateboards during the day. Roskopp and Novak always enjoyed riding mountain bikes together. After one downhill ride, the two friends were sitting in a coffee shop when Roskopp asked his friend “What do we do now?” “How about a bike business?” replied Novak. By the tone of his voice, Roskopp knew full well that Novak meant business, and before he could reply, Novak voiced his first call of action in between sips of his black coffee. “I will loan you the ‘Santa Cruz’ trade name so that you can run off that energy, and I will back you up on the business side of things.” And thus, Santa Cruz Bicycles was born in 1993. Later that year, from a space the size of a single-car garage in the Seabright Cannery, Santa Cruz Bicycles launched its first mountain bicycle, a single-pivot dual-suspension bike named the Tazmon. Roskopp knew he had to come out swinging with a groundbreaking product and prove to the cycling industry that he wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan ex-skateboarder jumping on the mountain bike trend. The Tazmon did just that, and the company never looked back, achieving worldwide success as a top bike manufacturer. Meek retired from professional skateboarding to join Roskopp on his new venture. “I ran the Santa Cruz Bicycle art department for the first 12 years,” Meek says, “so I was lucky enough to watch the transformation of a company with one product into a huge multimillion dollar, worldwide, respected business in a relatively short period of time.” In July 2015, Dutch company Pon Holdings acquired Santa Cruz Bicycles for an undisclosed amount of money. Management change is usually bad news for a company, however Roskopp made sure that part of the deal was that nothing would change for his 120 employees, and he himself would remain on as CEO for the next five years.

Above: Whether on four wheels or two, Roskopp oozed style. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROB ROSKOPP

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It's 15 degrees below freezing and you've got icicles forming on your face. Would you be smiling? A good session in the Great Lakes is enough to make Aaron Swanson (left) and Dan Schetter (right) grin. PHOTO: CORY GENOVESE_PHOTOYOOP

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THE CURSE OF THE GREAT LAKES FORGET CALIFORNIA. FORGET HAWAII. HECK, FORGET THE OCEAN.

ARE THE COUNTRY’S CRAZIEST SURFERS A GROUP OF ICEBERG-DODGING WAVE RIDERS FROM THE MIDWEST?

BY NEIL PEARLBERG

DAN SCHETTER left his Marquette, Wis. home at 3 a.m. one morning last winter, stepping out into a blizzard that had already dumped a fresh half-foot of snow on the ground. Thirtyfive-mile-per-hour winds were whipping across Lake Superior’s 350-mile-long surface. And while most residents were cozy in their beds, these bitter conditions meant just one thing to Schetter, who’s better known in the Great Lakes region as “Hardcore Dan”: it was time to go surfing.

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DROP IN IN DEPTH

“It’s standard procedure that if they don’t hear from you in twoand-a-half-to-three hours, they are to call the authorities to send someone to look for you.”

The 37 year old followed the surf forecast three hours north to Duluth, Minn., where the air temperature that morning was minus 15 degrees, or minus 55 with the wind-chill factored in. The lake, at 32 degrees, was beginning to freeze, and icebergs the size of small trucks were bobbing close to shore. But Schetter was unfazed. Barreling 8-foot waves were breaking against these ice boulders, and he was going to paddle out. And he was going to do it alone. He donned his 6/3 millimeter wetsuit, wrestled with his wetsuit socks under 7 millimeter booties, and, before sliding his hands into 5 millimeter surf mitts, he slathered his face with Vaseline so as to not lose his face or nose to frostbite. He took extra care in applying it to his eyelids to prevent them from freezing shut. There’s a rather ominous epithet for what Schetter went through that morning for the sake of catching a few waves: “The Curse of the Great Lakes.” It’s a nod to the fact that the area’s best surf comes during the long, dark and frigid winter, when violent weather systems create premium surf conditions on the lake, whipping up waves that can get up to 12 feet high. And it’s either then or never. According to Great Lakes surfer and former professional wrestler Pete “The Human Wrecking Ball” Madden, there are only 70-to-100 surfable days in the year, and, of those, only five or 10 are good “by Santa Cruz standards.” “None would be considered great or epic,” says Madden, who works as a long-distance

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PHOTO: RUSTY MALKEMES

—PETE MADDEN

DROP IN IN DEPTH

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“Once the water creeps in your suit, you begin to feel the cold, but you cannot stop paddling. If you do, you become one solid piece of ice.” —“HARDCORE DAN” SCHETTER

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DROP IN

PHOTO: CORY GENOVESE_PHOTOYOOP

IN DEPTH

truck driver. “The rest of the year is pure suffering. That’s why we hoard our vacation days to come to Santa Cruz.” For the resident of Wisconsin—where the ruthless winter weather “makes us question our sanity”— Santa Cruz is paradise. “I try not to be a huge kook, respect the locals—many of whom are my idols—and soak up the vibe, the culture, the amazing food, the music, and the energy of Santa Cruz,” Madden says of his annual pilgrimage, when he likes to longboard at Cowell’s and Capitola. “I hope the people who are lucky enough to live there never take it for granted.” The sport is easy by comparison for the California surfer: Pull up to your surf break, get into your wetsuit, wax your board, and paddle out. In Hawaii, where the average temperature of the Pacific is a balmy 78 degrees, a surf session is even less of a hassle—just grab your board and go. Yet lake surfing drew a chuckle when it was first seen by the masses in the 2003 film Step into Liquid, which featured twin brothers Lee “Waterflea” Williams and Larry “Longboard” Williams. In the late ’80s, the pair began surfing in Sheboygan, Wis., the so-called “Malibu of the Midwest,” where icebergs and hypothermia—not sharks—are a surfer’s most dangerous adversary. The daring deviation of ocean surfing commands more respect nowadays, but Great Lakes surfers are still overlooked in favor of their warmerwater counterparts when it comes to crowning the world’s gnarliest surfers. But locally, at least, they’re rock stars. Schetter is the reigning king—he is to the Great Lakes what Laird Hamilton or Kelly Slater are to Oahu’s North Shore. For 20 years, no matter how brutal the conditions, he’s scoured the shorelines of lakes Superior and Michigan in search of waves. As he sees it, this doesn’t make him crazy—the crazy ones are the people watching from land who aren’t surfing, he says. But he’s not called “Hardcore Dan” without reason. For one thing, even other diehard lake surfers aren’t willing to paddle out into the icy waters alone. “Never surf alone,” Madden tells Santa Cruz Waves when asked about safety protocol. “Surf with a friend at all times, and before you put one toe in the lake, call someone, with one of the two fully charged cell phones that you must have, to inform them of exactly where you are. Then when you get out, call them again immediately, because it’s standard procedure that if they don’t hear from you in two-and-a-halfto-three hours, they are to call the authorities to send someone to look for you.” There are a lot of other preparations one must take before tackling Great Lakes waves, he adds. “You have to have a perfectly functioning wetsuit,” he says. “[If there’s] any opening where water gets in, you will succumb to hypothermia. Also needed is a dependable vehicle that you must leave open, because after you

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DROP IN

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOE MEDROW

PHOTO: COURTESY OF WILL WALL

PHOTO: RUSTY MALKEMES

IN DEPTH

surf your hands don’t work and are too cold to grasp the key to unlock it.” The extreme cold adds to the already arduous task of surfing in fresh water, which is challenging for several reasons. Firstly, you don’t float as well. Similarly, a surfboard is far less buoyant. And, because of the lack of salt, the water seems heavier, making it extremely difficult to come up from freezing wave hold-downs. “When you first get in, you’re the warmest,” explains Schetter. “Once the water creeps in your suit you begin to feel the cold, but you cannot stop paddling—if you do, you become one solid piece of ice.” No one has died surfing the Great Lakes, but there have been some close calls. Larry Williams, who helped pioneer lake surfing with his twin brother Lee, once wrapped up a session to find that the ice

“The Lakes have a way of keeping me in a state of perpetual grommethood. Because we don’t get many days, we never get jaded. Remember what it was like to be so stoked on surfing that you would surf crappy waves for hours?”—PETE MADDEN SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 5 1

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PHOTO: CORY GENOVESE_PHOTOYOOP

PHOTO: RUSTY MALKEMES

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOE MEDROW

IN DEPTH

“HARDCORE DAN” SCHETTER

ledge at the Main Beach in Sheboygan had grown from waist high to overhead while he was surfing. “He had to walk, wade and paddle a mile to find an exit point, and was hypothermic when he reached his car,” says Madden, recalling another guy whose leash caught on a piece of jetty, keeping him anchored while wave after wave washed over him. By the time he freed himself, he was severely hypothermic, lightheaded, and blue in the face. Paramedics arrived, swaddling him in warming blankets—which is not quite as effective as hot water, says Madden, who keeps some in an insulated cooler in his car and encourages others to do the same. Why put up with it all? Will Wall has been surfing for 30 years, during which time he’s lived on both coasts and traveled to his fair share of enviable surf spots. But for the last 13 years, he’s lived the life of a Midwest surfer, “searching for surf out here on the Great Lakes.” He calls the lifestyle “harsh and lonely,” and yet says it’s home and that he will keep at it as long as possible. “I’m surfing and that’s what matters the most,” he says matter-of-factly. The same goes for Madden, who plans to continue surfing the frosty lake breaks until he’s no longer physically able. “I do it because the Lakes have a way of keeping me in a state of perpetual grommethood,” says Madden. “Because we don’t get many days, we never get jaded. Remember what it was like to be so stoked on surfing that you would surf crappy waves for hours? It’s like being in a romantic relationship where the super exciting beginning part goes on forever. The Lakes are like that first girlfriend you ever had.”

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PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

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DROP IN FACES OF SURF

The Santa Cruz legend on how to keep audiences entertained, the infamous shark incident, Kelly Slater’s wave pool and everything in between By BEN MARCUS

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eter Mel is waiting for his food at Heavenly Waikiki, an über-healthy Japanese/surf restaurant in Waikiki—the kind of place Laird and Kelly would eat, if Laird and Kelly were in the neighborhood. It’s Sunday, Dec. 20, and Peter and his wife, Tara, are hungry. Considering the year they’ve had, they don’t look as tired as they should. Mel, the Santa Cruz-based World Surf League commentator and former Mavericks champ, has just put a long Triple Crown season behind him and has a lot more to come with the Big Wave Tour. Three days earlier, the Pipe Masters ended on a somewhat lackluster note. The swell dropped, the wind was wrong, and conditions weren’t that great on a day that decided a Brazilian World Champion, a Brazilian Triple Crown Champion and a Brazilian 2015 Pipe Masters champion.

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DROP IN FACES OF SURF The penultimate day of the contest had been epic—about as mean and challenging as Pipeline gets, and Mel was there as a commentator: In the water and on the beach for Pipe Masters, but dry with Ross Williams, Chris Cote and Dave Stanfield for the Triple Crown, and also doing the 7:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol for contest updates. In the water, Mel was like a sitting duck with a microphone in his hand, giving color commentary, dodging bombs, and doing his best not to end up like competitor Owen Wright, who had suffered a concussion after getting caught inside at Pipeline a few days earlier. Before that, there was the Pe’ahi Challenge, the first WSL Big Wave Tour paddle event held at Jaws, which went off on Dec. 6. Mel did some of the commentary for that event, but as World Surf League Big Wave Tour commissioner, his responsibilities that day were mostly bigger picture. Mel's job as commentator is fun but demanding, both physically and emotionally. There are now millions of eyeballs watching these WSL contests in webcasts and TV broadcasts around the world—and Mel is one of the conduits to what is happening on the beach, in the water and behind the scenes. Soon after fueling up on breakfast, the Mels will fly home to Santa Cruz County. But home is a temporary concept with them. When they are in town, they stay at Tara’s mom’s house— a beautiful 4.5-acre estate brimming with cacti and succulents—in the room that was Tara’s growing up. But they aren’t home much. The long WSL season may be over, but Mel has more big-wave events around the corner. As the food arrives—kale with omelets and an order of eggs Benedict almost too pretty to eat—there is plenty to talk about. A lot has happened in the WSL and Pe’ahi and everything else, but the really big news right now is Slaterstein’s monster. Did you know what he was up to? I think the world knew what Kelly was up to, but it had been quiet until his launch. He started this concept of the Kelly Slater wave pool 10 years ago. He’s been working very hard to make this a reality. I’m really happy for him and feel

On the Job: Peter Mel with Ventura superstar Dane Reynolds. PHOTO: COURTESY OF PETER MEL

“I want each and every viewer to learn something when they watch. It’s tough because there are fans out there that watch every heat. If you can keep them entertained, you’re doing your job.” it will have a dramatic impact on the future of surfing, especially when it comes to competitive surfing. Now getting down to business: You’re the busiest man in the surf business. How long have you been commissioner of the World Surf League Big Wave Tour, and how long have you been commentating for the WSL 2015 Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour? I’m going into my third season as WSL broadcast talent. I was interim commissioner for the first six months and committed myself to the WSL Big Wave Tour the last year and a half as commissioner. It’s been a great experience full of challenges and accomplishment. I’m learning a lot and feel

there’s always room to improve myself in both roles. Do you do every WSL event as you did Pipeline—from the booth, on the beach, and in the water? It depends, but for the most part yes. I enjoy trying all the roles, [including] play by play, color and roving [interviews]. They are all challenging in different ways, which keeps it exciting and new. The biggest challenge for me is to keep bringing in fresh new content for the audience. I want each and every viewer to learn something when they watch. It’s tough because there are fans out there that watch every heat. If you can keep them entertained, you’re doing your job.

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PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

The WSL broadcasts are first rate. You, Ross and Strider are great, and I thought Dave Kalama was really good at the Pe’ahi Challenge. It was exciting to have Dave, especially with his local knowledge of the break. His added color was amazing. He certainly brought to life the experience and energy of the day. He was a great addition and I hope I get to work with him more in the future. I love how he can compare a wipeout or amazing ride to something a normal person could experience. That’s an art and he does it brilliantly. I think I already know the answer to the question, “What’s the heaviest thing you saw all year?” That would have to have been Mick Fanning getting suckerpunched by a white shark at J Bay. What was going on behind the scenes?

“I like to have a full plate. I enjoy all of it. I love to track storms, tell stories and talk with the athletes—and still have time to catch a wave. When people say I’ve got the dream job, I really do believe that.” Yeah, it was heavy. I surfed in between the semis and the final in flawless J Bay. There wasn’t one moment in my mind that I thought of sharks—no vibes like that whatsoever. It was a sunny, pristine day. A few minutes into the final, I had just done a cross speaking on the conditions. Julian [Wilson] had just caught a wave and that’s when “it” happened. My sights were on Mick when all of a sudden there was boiling water

around him. We were about 200 yards away, [and it] felt like minutes trying to get to them. We grabbed Julian out of the water and proceeded to look at Mick for any signs of trauma. We got him in the boat in complete disbelief of what had just happened. Mick and Julian handled the situation with the most admirable composure and class. It took a while for me to digest what happened that day. To have the year Mick had and finish

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DROP IN FACES OF SURF

Beast Mode: Mel taking time to "catch a wave" at his home away from home, Mavericks. PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

with such mind-blowing confidence and calmness is clear evidence of a true champion. What else did you see this year that had that kind of impact? From a ratings standpoint, I’m sure the shark incident was the most impactful. Though in my line of work, I see impactful things almost every day. Whether it’s from junior surfers, World Tour rookies or veterans, I see their impact on the tour and surfing as a whole. That’s what makes my job so exciting. It’s too bad they had to end the season at Pipeline when it kind of looked like a bad day at Manresa. Could they have finished it another day, or do you believe that was the right decision?

It’s always going to be a challenge predicting the future, especially with the ocean and weather. Sometimes the conditions turn out right and sometimes they don’t. The goal is always to get the best conditions possible for the surfers and fans. Give us a crystal ball that can tell the future and I’ll buy it. I know what it’s like getting caught inside with a standup paddle in hand. What’s it like getting caught inside with a microphone in your hand? What do you do with that thing when you are scratching for safety? I stuff it into my wetsuit and take the beating. The tough part is sucking the water out of the foam mic cover. What’s it like to slip up on air? The online comments sections these days seem as

nasty as getting caught inside at Backdoor—with a microphone in your hand. I understand everyone is entitled to their opinion and the comments section is exactly a place for that. I’ve had my fair share of critics and supporters. These gigs of yours are two very good jobs, but are they too much? No. If anyone tells you that [then] they don’t know me. I like to have a full plate. I enjoy all of it. I love to track storms, tell stories and talk with the athletes—and still have time to catch a wave. When people say I’ve got the dream job, I really do believe that. Read the full interview at santacruzwaves.com.

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DROP IN SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT

In Love and Sport Tommy and Katie Zaferes’ great adventures—from traversing the globe as triathletes to Katie’s pursuit of Olympic glory By DAVE DE GIVE

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hen Waves first reached out to storied local triathletes Tommy and Katie Zaferes, the couple messaged back from a training camp on the island of Fuerteventura, just off the Moroccan coast. Local legend holds that the Spanish named the island after a slightly altered version of the French term for “great adventure.” In the case of Tommy and Katie, the phrasing couldn’t be more appropriate. Since January, the Aptos couple has been enjoying the latest chapter of their own “great adventure;” a whirlwind, worldtraversing tour that began in Fuerteventura, took them to a second training camp in Mallorca in February, and then to Abu Dhabi for the first leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series in March.

X Left: Triathlete Katie Zaferes trains for the ultimate competition: the 2016 Olympic games. PHOTO: TYLER FOX

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DROP IN SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT If Katie, who turns 27 in June, reaches the podium at the Yokohama competition in May, she’ll earn the final spot on the U.S. Olympic Triathlete team that will compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. “It’s kind of surreal to think that I have an opportunity to make the Olympic team,” says Katie. Two of the three spots on the women’s team have already been filled and Katie is the favorite for the final spot. Even if she doesn’t make a podium appearance at the Yokohama qualifying event, she still has a strong chance for the Olympics based on USA Triathlon’s point system. Still, she has enough respect for the sport and her teammates not to consider it a sure thing yet. “Knowing we have such a strong team of American girls, you can’t really count anyone out of that spot either,” says Katie. “But it’s nice to know last year I was on the podium six times and that gives me a little confidence that I can do it again.” Fans of international sport often get caught up in cheering on their country’s team to win medals. And while athletes certainly aren’t immune to that, one of the open secrets of international competition is the perk of meeting like-minded people from all over the world. “It’s awesome,” says Katie. “One of the neatest things about what we do is the places we get to see and the people we get to meet.” It’s also a luxury for the Zafereses to train, live, and hang out with fellow athletes who understand what they’re up against. Since January, they’ve been part of a team of 14 fellow travelers and triathletes from around the globe, informally referred to as the JFT Crew, for their renowned international triathlete coach Joel Filliol. The elite squad’s members hail from Spain, South America, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Australia, and the United States. “I [always] look forward to rejoining the group. It’s way easier to be motivated when you have your coach and your whole group surrounding you,” says Katie. “You’re with a group of people who understand what you’re doing, what you’re going for, why you’re not going out, why you’re not doing anything else except eating, sleeping and training.”

The couple that trains together, stays together. Tommy and Katie met on the international triathlon circuit and were married in La Selva Beach last year. PHOTO: COURTESY OF TOMMY AND KATIE ZAFERES

Tommy, who will be 30 in May, also relishes what he describes as an incredible opportunity “to see the world and experience so many different things in such a short period of time.” But for all of their athletic achievements and the many places they’ve been blessed to visit, if asked they’ll each say without hesitation that the best thing that’s ever happened to them on the triathlon circuit was meeting each other. Because besides being the sport they both decided to pursue professionally, competing in triathlons is also how they met and fell in love. Tommy was a swimmer before he was a triathlete, racing 16 years for the Cabrillo Threshers swim club and then, when he was old enough, for Cabrillo College. He surfed and he skateboarded, but those both took a backseat to swimming. His talent took him all the way to the 2008 U.S. Olympic qualifiers before he decided to focus on triathlons, which he became interested in through

a friend. After twice competing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel Triathlon, Tommy turned pro in 2010 and went on to achieve three top-five ITU Continental Cup finishes in his professional career, which ended in 2015. Katie grew up in Maryland where she played soccer and lacrosse, and also swam. When she quit lacrosse, she took up running to stay in shape for high school soccer. She excelled at it and won several state championships. She first got involved in triathlons by participating in the South Carroll Tri-to-Win Triathlon in Maryland each Father’s Day with her dad, from 2007 to 2010. She enrolled in Syracuse University and ran competitively there on a scholarship. That’s when the recruitment arm of USA Triathlon contacted her: With her Division I experience in running and her background in swimming, she was a strong candidate to run triathlons professionally. She decided to go for it. In 2013, Tommy and Katie were both

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DROP IN SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT

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in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary to compete in the ITU Triathlon World Cup, which among other things is known for its legendary after-party, where they met. “I don’t drink alcohol—I haven’t drunk since 2009—so I wasn’t planning on going,” says Tommy. But his roommate convinced him he couldn’t miss the most talked-about party on the triathlon circuit. “Katie was there, so I ended up hanging out with her. And we ended up talking all night and then never stopped talking after that.” Katie adds, “Meeting Tommy changed my life. After meeting him, he was someone I didn’t want to be without. We had spent mainly just a few hours in ‘Tivy’ together, then we were both on planes to different places, so it was kind of cool that it all ended up working out.”

In January 2015, Tommy and Katie got married on a bluff overlooking La Selva Beach. Katie is now a Santa Cruz convert and they both enjoy training together in the local scenic environs for the three months they live here in the off-season. “For swims, running sessions, and bike sessions it’s nice to have someone stronger than me in everything,” says Katie. When Tommy stopped competing professionally last year, his circuit funding also ended and the couple faced a financial challenge to stay together during the nine months Katie travels to train and compete each year. In a development that makes them both very happy, Tommy was able to secure a job marketing and developing products for ROKA Sports that allows him to

attend many of the same races in which Katie competes. “It’s better when we’re with the squad. If we’re back home, I do all the training with Katie and there’s nobody else,” says Tommy. “To be motivated to train on your own is tough. Even just having one person is super helpful, but when we’re with the squad there are 12 other options for people.” For Katie, Tommy’s job means that not only do they still get to travel together, but she also gets to retain her favorite coach and training partner in the world. “When we were in Santa Cruz, Tommy was with me pretty much on everything, except for a few small sessions where I had some me-time,” says Katie. “He kind of downplays his importance to me with training, but he helps out a lot.”

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he vibe at the Santa Cruz Boardroom is one of overwhelming reverence for the art of skateboarding, displayed beautifully across the store’s walls in the form of more than 2,000 boards, some of which legends rode way back in 1973. Eleven brands, including Santa Cruz’s Independent Truck Company, were founded in this historic building located just a quick kick-push to famous surf spots. The Boardroom’s impressive collection has the power to produce a variety of emotions. “When you’re a kid, skateboarding is your life,” explains owner Terry “TC” Campion. “Then, 40 years later, [when] you have kids, responsibilities and less time, you can walk in the shop and see that childhood skateboard and all those feelings come rushing back and can even bring tears to a grown man’s eyes.” Of the 400 original Santa Cruz skateboards, vintage Santa Cruz surfboards and original skatework graphics amassed in the Boardroom, the item that has this nostalgic effect for Campion is the Jason Jesse Neptune skateboard. On top of this pervading air of magic, the shop is a Santa Cruz favorite because of its strong connection to the community. Campion says education is important to the Boardroom, which it demonstrates through its “Pushing for Good Grades” program: if participating kids improve their GPA, they get raffle tickets and are in the running to win one of the 30 skateboards the shop gives away each year. Catch Campion and his Boardroom crew on June 25 at their seventh annual skateboarding competition at the Pleasure Point Street Fair. | Leslie Muirhead

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FAVORITE SHOPS BIKE SHOP

NEW BUSINESS

BUSINESS

SKATE SHOP

1. Family Cycling Center 2. Another Bike Shop 3. Spokesman Bicycles

1. The Glass Jar 2. Vice Salon

CLOTHING STORE: MEN

PHOTO: NELLY / SPL

1. Stripe Design Group 2. Pacific Wave Surf Shop 3. O’Neill Surf Shop

1. Charley & Co 2. Mozaic 3. Berdels, Avenue Café (tie)

1. Santa Cruz Boardroom 2. Bill’s Wheels 3. Skateworks

SURF SHOP

1. Freeline Surf Shop 2. O’Neill Surf Shop 3. Pacific Wave Surf Shop

CLOTHING SHOP: WOMEN

1. Zen Island 2. Pacific Wave Surf Shop 3. Stripe Design Group

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THE GLASS JAR You may have voted it Favorite Business, but this juggernaut is really more like Favorite Businesses. Under The Glass Jar umbrella? Try Assembly, The Penny Ice Creamery, The Picnic Basket and POPUP—all leaders in the local foodie scene, catering to every farm-to-table fanatic. Whether you’re wanting a full-on feast—downtown or beachfront—or a dreamy dessert break, the thoughtful folks at The Glass Jar have got your tastebuds’ every desire organically covered. (Oh, did we mention that Assembly and its wood-adorned rustic chic-ness also won Favorite Restaurant?) Swellies, Swellies and more Swellies! Bring it. There seems to be no end to what founders Kendra Baker and Zachary Davis can conjure since first starting the biz back in 2009. Dedicated to providing sustainable food by and for the local community, this restaurant group is like the Don of the food scene. Kiss the ring, baby, ‘cause this glass is always full. | Evelyn Shafer

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Thank You Santa Cruz for voting me “Favorite REALTOR®!” Runner Up “Favorite Real Estate Company” For Taylor Property Management Services.

Nicole Poli Real Estate Nicole Poli | 831.234.9309 BRE 01259219 | nicolepoli831@gmail.com

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“Nicole is an amazing agent on both the buying end and the selling end of the transactions. She worked hard for us, and never got frustrated even when we seemed to be declining the perfect house. I highly recommend her!” —David & Deborah Aaron

Taylor Property Management Services • 118 Pearl Alley Santa Cruz CA 95060 Sales and Property Management

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FAVORITE EATS & DRINKS POUR/TAP HOUSE

BREAKFAST

1. Avenue Café 2. Assembly 3. Point Market & Café

GROM: GIRL

1. Bella DeGaglia 2. Keanna Miller 3. Autumn Hayes

1. Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House 2. West End Tap & Kitchen 3. Lúpulo Craft Beer House

RESTAURANT 1. Assembly 2. Café Cruz 3. Mozaic

FAVORITE PROFESSIONALS

BREWERY

BBQ JOINT

BANK

1. Discretion Brewing 2. New Bohemia Brewing Co. 3. Seabright Brewery

HAPPY HOUR

1. Paradise Beach Grille 2. The Crow’s Nest 3. Michael's on Main

WINERY

1. Soquel Vineyards 2. MJA Vineyards 3. Bargetto Winery

BAR

1. Brady’s Yacht Club 2. JJ’s Saloon 3. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

COFFEE SHOP

1. Verve Coffee Roasters 2. Calypso's Cove 3. Coffeetopia

COCKTAIL

1. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails 2. Suda 3. Hula’s Island Grill

PIZZA

1. Pizza My Heart 2. Pleasure Pizza 3. Bantam

BURRITO

1. Tacos Moreno 2. Taqueria Baja 3. Taqueria Vallarta

DELI

1. Garden Liquors & Deli 2. The Picnic Basket 3. Zoccoli’s Deli

SMOOTHIE

1. New Leaf Community Markets 2. Samba Rock Acai Cafe 3. Amazon Juices

JUICE BAR

1. New Leaf Community Markets 2. Perfectly Pressed Juice Bar 3. Samba Rock

GROCERY STORE

1. Aptos St. BBQ 2. Mission St. BBQ 3. Cole's BBQ

FAVORITE OUTDOOR, HEALTH &FITNESS YOGA STUDIO

1. DiviniTree Yoga

2. Luma Yoga 3. PurePower Yoga

GYM

1. Toadal Fitness 2. Santa Cruz Core Fitness + Rehab 3. Paradigm Sport

SUP SHOP

1. Covewater Paddle Surf 2. Stand Up Paddle Capitola 3. Surftech

1. Bay Federal Credit Union 2. Lighthouse Bank 3. Santa Cruz County Bank

BOARD SHAPER 1. Buck Noe 2. Ward Coffey 3. Carl Gooding

PHOTOGRAPHER 1. V Vaughn Visnius 2. Dave "Nelly" Nelson 3. Ashley Deskins

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

1. The Brokerage, Inc. 2. Taylor Properties Management Services 3. Coldwell Banker

REALTOR

1. Nicole Wood-Poli 2. Jeremy Larson 3. Gretchen Bach, John Ribera, Shannon Renfrew (tie)

SALON

SURF SCHOOL

1. Vice Salon 2. Blue Hare 3. Salon on the Square

LONGBOARDER: WOMAN

1. Looker 2. Seagate

1. Richard Schmidt Surf School 2. Surf School Santa Cruz 3. Club Ed Surf School and Campus 1. Ashley Lloyd 2. Miranda Pitts Guzman 3. Selah Bartlett

LONGBOARDER: MAN 1. Reilly Stone 2. Robert “Wingnut” Weaver

SHORTBOARDER: WOMAN 1. Ashley Held 2. Autumn Hayes

SHORTBOARDER: MAN 1. Richie Schmidt 2. Nat Young 3. Wilem Banks

GROM: BOY

1. Fisher Baxter 2. Cole Sandman 3. Santi Hart

1. New Leaf Community Markets 2. Shopper's Corner 3. Deluxe Foods of Aptos

STARTUP

TECH COMPANY 1. Plantronics 2. Looker

VIDEOGRAPHER 1. Kyle Buthman 2. David Bortnick

FAVORITE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTIST

1. Sarah Jane Morabito 2. James de Leon

LOCAL BAND

1. The Expendables 2. Animo Cruz 3. Extra Large

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STARTUP he concept of “big data” may seem like an esoteric notion, understood only by an elite few, with its true meaning lost somewhere in the cloud. But it’s actually easy to understand—that is, if you have the folks at Santa Cruz’s favorite startup, Looker, to help you find the order in the data chaos. “What we ultimately do is give any decision maker in a company easy access to clean data by taking care of the analysis on the back end, and giving them a streamlined user interface that’s easy on the eyes,” says Brian Ziel, Looker’s senior director of communications. Knowing that Santa Cruz has a wealth of tech talent, almost all making the grueling commute over the hill each day, Lloyd Tabb and Ben Porterfield had a vision to start their own Santa Cruz-based tech company, and founded Looker in 2012. “Conventional wisdom at the time we started Looker was that you couldn’t do a large successful tech company here,” says Tabb. “The reason [being that] the hardest part of doing a tech startup is generally finding and retaining talent. In the early 1990s I worked at [formerly local software corporation] Borland alongside some of the best people I’ve ever worked with, so I’d seen it happen here.” And Looker has certainly proved the conventional wisdom wrong. The company now has more than 500 customers (including Lyft, Uber, and Warby Parker, among others), 200 employees, and offices in San Francisco, New York, and London. But, true to its founding idea, they’re still headquartered here in Santa Cruz—and don’t plan on changing that. | Aric Sleeper

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF LOOKER

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t was the talk of the town, and unless you live under a rock(hold!), your eyes were likely glued to the screen when Luke Rockhold went into the Las Vegas ring at MGM Grand on Dec. 12. We here at Santa Cruz Waves even put the pause on our company holiday festivities to put on the big MMA fight, when the Santa Cruz son put opponent Chris Weidman down on the mat to bring a coveted title on home. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 180-pound fighter left the ring the newly minted Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight World Champ after a fourth-round technical knockout that left everyone here proud. In our December/January issue, the 31-year-old told Waves that growing up skateboarding and surfing in Santa Cruz has actually given him an advantage in his balance as a fighter in the arena. Blood, sweat, more blood, more sweat—but there ain’t no tears comin’ from this local heavyweight. | ES

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Music should set you free, not tie you down. Experience your favorite music like never before with the new BackBeat GO 3 wireless earbuds, designed right here in Santa Cruz. Escape the tug of wires as you chase sunsets down West Cliff. Give your weekend hikes the backdrop of extraordinary audio quality. Get closer to the music you love and experience the freedom to take it anywhere. Available at plantronics.com/scwaves and Best Buy

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SURFER OF THE YE AR

NOAH WEGRICH

oah “Waggy” Wegrich is on a mission— a groovy mission to a far-off galaxy with each one of his monstrous aerials taking him closer and closer. This curly-haired wonder boy not only boosts with ease, he has recently tested his skills at Mavericks and has been clocking in some serious tunnel time, from Ireland to Hawaii. Like eager schoolchildren, the crew here at Santa Cruz Waves is frothed to see what freakish tricks this kid has planned for us next.

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STAFF PICKS SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT Luke Rockhold

SURFER OF THE YEAR Noah Wegrich

PHOTO:@CHACHFILES

SUNSET PHOTO V Vaughn Visnius

SURF PHOTO Dave "Nelly" Nelson

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RICHARD SCHMIDT SURF SCHOOL SHORTBOARDER

RICHIE SCHMIDT ince the age of 18, Richard Schmidt of Richard Schmidt Surf School, now 55, has been passing down his knowledge of the ocean and his experience in surfing to new generations—young and old. And even after all of this time, he is always excited when his students stand up on the board for the first time. “When you catch a wave for your first time, you never forget it. It’s a very powerful experience, and to catch that feeling from the people you teach, and seeing the stoke that people get, is so inspiring,” says Schmidt. The Richard Schmidt Surf School holds lessons and surfing camps locally and in Costa Rica with the help of a team of incredible surfers like Miles Clanton, Zoltan Torkos, Shaun Burns, Ben Coffee, and Tara Denlay, among others, including his brother, Dave, nephew, Konrad, and his son, Richie Schmidt, who won the Swellie for Favorite Shortboarder (Man). Richard Sr. is proud that his son has been recognized for his skill and style on a shortboard, and hopes he is humbled by the attention. “Surfing is very subjective, and the beauty of it is in the eye of the beholder,” says Schmidt. “But he has a beautiful approach to surfing, and it’s amazing that he won because there is so much talent in Santa Cruz. What an honor for him.” | AS

PHOTOS: NELLY / SPL

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V VAUGHN VISNIUS The late, great V Vaughn Visnius had a knack for capturing the most stunning sunsets imaginable. Whether peering toward the Cement Ship in Seacliff or using our iconic lighthouse as his muse, he produced images you would want to dive right into. He was a hands-down favorite on the Santa Cruz Waves Facebook page and it came as no surprise that our whole team gave Vaughn the nod for Favorite Sunset Photo.

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PHOTO: PAUL TOPP

AVENUE CAFÉ It’s become Capitola’s favorite homemade breakfast away from home. This new little hot spot even looks like it could be gram’s cozy kitchen nook—its window-lined powder-blue walls welcome guests to the corner of Capitola Avenue and Riverview Drive each morning. Inside has a stone-laden fireplace, while out back boasts a garden to keep things quaint all around. Still, there is plenty to keep you guessing on the menu here, which is probably why you voted it your Favorite Breakfast. Sure, you can rely on traditional feasts of eggs, pancakes, burgers, and soups to quell your appetite. But having transformed what was once Taqueria Agave into the latest dining phenom, owner Salvador Diaz keeps things spicy with plenty of delicious nods to the kind of beloved Mexican fare Santa Cruzans can’t go without: Chilaquiles, Fajitas Burrito with grilled steak, Huevos a la Mexicana, and Canasta Salad. The parade of salsa and sour cream-topped meals keeps the breakfast and lunch fiesta in your mouth poppin’. | ES

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/]PI 8LMIVQERR ƤRW JVII ERH JYPP] GSQQMXXIH at Mavericks. PHOTO: NELLY / SPL 9 2 | SANTA CRUZ WAVES

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The award-winning journalist and big-wave surf photographer on navigating the deep waters of visual storytelling By LINDA KOFFMAN

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achi Cunningham—“filmmaker, educator, waterbug,” in the words of her email signature—isn’t your typical faculty member at San Francisco State University. The assistant professor of multimedia journalism likes to explore terrain where few can stay afloat. Perhaps the fact that her birthday is New Year’s Eve meant she was destined to live on the edge, naturally inclined to be a pioneer of things to come. Or maybe it is because her JapaneseAmerican mother was born in a World War II internment camp that she carries an inherent desire to document the daunting. The Emmy-winning filmmaker and celebrated photographer, whose freelance work has appeared on FRONTLINE, the New York Times and Discovery Channel, is known for thoughtful visual storytelling imbued with a no-holds-barred search for the lesser known. This isn’t just about action sports adrenaline; she points her lens to reveal the deeper layers of that which is inaccessible to most of us—from her insights into ISIS in Baghdad and the plight of Cambodian shrimpers cleaning up the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to, yes, those surfer-seducing images of pros thrusting into big waves around the globe. When we chat, the Ocean Beach-based photographer is snapping away on the North Shore, putting her body and camera in the line of Pipeline’s unforgiving shallow reef, where

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many a surfer’s skin has been riddled with its infamous saw-toothed kiss. It was there, 18 years ago, that Cunningham considered staying to pursue water photography fulltime. She ultimately chose to leave in order to hone her skills outside the surf industry, but now the 43 year old returns an accomplished veteran at filming a mosaic of serious subjects, monstrous surf exploits included—making her a rare female to shoot in the big-wave line of fire and a standard face at Mavericks. “It’s like the saying ‘Only a surfer knows the feeling,’” she says of the experience of being a photographer of the sport. “Being a surf photographer has that, too; you’re in the magical part of the wave and it’s ephemeral.” After first fitting a camera with water housing while apprenticing in Japan nearly 20 years ago, falling in love with water photography in Indo, feeling out the North Shore, and ultimately making a home of San Francisco, Cunningham talks about the perspective she’s gained—and the rare perspectives she’s determined to share through her disparate works. Compare documenting big-wave surfing to covering war-related topics. I think there are a lot of war photographers that also surf and vice versa, and I think that’s not an accident or coincidence. I work the best when I have the most pressure, and when you have a big wave crashing on you or a gun fired on you—though I haven’t had a gun pointed at me— you have to have your wits about you. Being calm and being able to have the perspective of ease and control in stressful situations is the commonality between shooting in those two environments. I think another similarity is that it’s a perspective not many people get. I know I’m privileged that I get to swim out there so I want to capture it and share it. And in Baghdad there were few journalists getting the story we [the FRONTLINE camera crew] were getting in order to expose an audience to a unique perspective they wouldn’t normally get. I’m trying to make a difference in the world with the journalistic work but it’s the surf photos that I’ve gotten the most attention for, and it’s also tapping into something with people that is making a difference and making them react.

X Underground legend Ryan Seelbach at Mavericks on Dec. 7, 2015. "I was so happy to capture Ryan on this wave. I owe so much to Ryan's support over the years. He's a good friend and so encouraging to all of the women who are trying to take it to the next level at Ocean Beach and Mavericks."

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X Cunningham pictured at Ocean Beach in 2001 with her very first water-housing setup.

X Bianca Valenti takes off on an early morning peak at Ocean Beach in early December 2014. "This was the second day of the best two days of surf I've ever seen at Ocean Beach," says Cunningham.

Your Japanese-American mom was born in an internment camp in Arizona during World War II. How has that history informed your intention as a journalist? There’s a cliché in journalism that we give voice to the voiceless. I don’t think my mom and the Japanese-Americans that were incarcerated were voiceless but I think culturally they were pressured to stay silent and assimilate. Yet keeping quiet has affected even me a generation later in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. It was also the most important story in history that I grew up with yet never learned in school. I [presented to a class] about it in high school after doing research and a report—I think that gave me a taste of the power of what storytelling can do. What draws you to shooting big waves? I feel a lot more comfortable shooting in bigger waves. I think you have a little more time to react. Smaller waves are scarier for me because they’re really critical waves breaking on top of reef. In big waves it’s also a different mindset, a slower mindset; you can be more patient. It’s like surfing Ocean Beach on a big day: you get one-to-three waves and you’re psyched, and it’s kind of like that with shooting. I like a challenge. It’s more difficult to get a good shot and therefore more rewarding. I like being where there aren’t a lot of

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X "This is one of my favorite shots of the season, taken under water at Off the Wall. The best part about this photo is that it was a happy accident. I had no idea I shot it until I looked at my take after the session."

other photographers—again it’s that rare perspective. If I’m shooting a story a hundred other people are doing, then I shouldn’t be doing that story.

Keala Kennelly, Andrea Moller, Emi Erickson, Savannah Shaughnessy, Sarah Gerhardt and the other women out there who charge.

What are your thoughts on the Mavericks competition opening up to female surfers? It’s very timely and exciting and the women are ready. It has the potential to greatly further the sport for all genders and I plan on following the story in my next documentary film, which I’ve started this winter. [Editor’s Note: Follow the documentary, Unwavering, as it unfolds at Facebook.com/unwavering and on Instagram @ unwaveringstory.]

What do you enjoy about still photography compared to video? Surfing is made for video because of the motion and I make a living mostly from video, but for some reason I love photography in surfing. I think part of it is the quick turnaround—video takes tons more time to shoot and edit before you have a story, whereas I can post [a photo] the same day. But I also think there’s something iconic about surf photos and something about stopping time that makes surf photography, specifically, much more interesting to me.

Who are your favorite surfers to shoot? I just had the opportunity to shoot Bruce Irons and Kelly Slater at Back Door and Off the Wall on the North Shore, which was pretty exciting. But my favorite surfers to shoot are the big-wave ladies like Bianca Valenti, Paige Alms,

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Equipment check: What are your favorite camera and surfboard? Right now I’m shooting with a Canon 1DX

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Which documentaries that you’ve filmed are your favorites? My two favorites are Chasing the Swell and They’ve Struck Oil but They’re Not Rich, [respectively] about the first big-wave world tour for men in 2009/10 and Cambodian shrimpers cleaning up oil after the BP oil spill. Both were very challenging as a reporter, shooter and editor, but they both brought out stories about saltwater people that were under-covered and new at the time, which is a subject and kind of story that I’m most passionate about. You’ve said being described as “gnarly” is a compliment and a goal. Why? I think that being gnarly means going big and being comfortable outside of your com-

fort zone. Where most people run from the unknown, I run toward it and usually thrive. That’s how I have always been and it has served me well for the most part. I don’t ever want to lose that desire to experience something new simply because it’s frightening. Walk toward your fear, as they say.

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that I love but I’d like to get the new Sony 4K video camera next. My favorite board is my 6-foot-8-inch Danny Hess.

An unidentified surfer at Ocean Beach in December 2015. "I like the juxtaposition of the wave and the mound of city scape behind him."

What’s the best advice you have for someone interested in big-wave photography? Make sure you are an excellent swimmer, know how to save someone in the water and understand surfing before you try. I’m not someone who will say “go for it!” because it’s simply not something that you should try unless you are 100 percent confident in your physical ability to keep yourself and those around you safe. Learn more at sachicunningham.com and @seasachi.

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Cruz Skateboards a Cruz Santa tor Lucas Musgrave ctor direc art arr t dire on embracing dark ness in art, avoiding the pitfalls of localism, and bein g a good father By Joel Hersch usshu ng a hus m i ng omi becco be oree becomin e or bef o, before go, ag a s ago, yeear y ty years ntty n wenty w we a ta t n an anta Santa S r o or f for r or o tor t ct c e r rect re i director di t r art ar d n and a an e, t her ath father, d, fa nd an band, ba b istt a rtt is occall artist lo ncc local In HS Inc., NH d att NHS, Skatebo Sk t b ards Cruz C Lucas Musgrave was living with his thengirlfriend, picking up odd jobs—some of them legal—a nd tattooing out of their home in Seaside. He thinks back to his world then, when he was about 22, and the rough upbring ing in Aptos that led up to it, and Musgrave can’t help but feel surprised at what his life

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has become. “Honest ly,” he tells me, leaning against a railing overlook ing the NHS Fun Factory’s product ion facility in Seabright, “I thought I’d be in jail.”

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SCREEN PRINTED / FINALIZED COLORED DECK

Today, Musgrave, who has worked at NHS for 13 years, is the keystone among a small team of illustrators who produce the distinct, often macabre designs for brands including Santa Cruz Skateboards, Creature, and Independent Truck Company With an artistic history rooted in Santa Cruz’s unique brand of localism, and the iconic precedent set by the works of artist Jim Phillips, Sr. during the '80s, it falls on Musgrave to maintain the company’s original aesthetic. The style of graphic art that Musgrave was drawn to at a young age and began channeling into his own style reflected a troubled upbringing, he says. The imagery of NHS skate art— think melting faces, screaming skulls, and other alluring grotesqueries—became a genre that GRAPHITE ON PAPER / CONCEPT SKETCH

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spoke to young, often wayward skaters and surfers. “I was always attracted to the worst stuff,” Musgrave says of his early years growing up in La Selva Beach. “I was pretty violent when I was younger, got into a lot of bad trouble. I had no dad, and was kind of a free-range kid. I would leave home on a Friday and be back on Sunday, hanging out with skinheads when I was 12 or 13—it was a horrible scene.” Art, however, was always there. Musgrave acquired inspiration from his mom, who was an old-masters oil painter with her own gallery in Aptos during the '80s. He found solace in graffiti and recalls charging other kids a quarter in fourth grade art class to draw their art assignments at Rio Del Mar Elementary School.

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MICRON PEN ON BOARD / ORIGINAL INKING

national, multimillion-dollar company like NHS is all about balance, he says—exploring ways to get the work out into the world while also maintaining the brand’s integrity. “We do these big collaborations with entities like Marvel [Comics] and Star Wars [Lucasfilm], and we’ve walked away from a lot of money, a lot of big deals, and a lot of ways that we could have sold out,” he says. “And we just can’t, because there is a reputation and a longevity to the brand. We have to know what’s right for us.” Today, raising a kid of his own—8-year-old Bishop—Musgrave finds himself working to create a life for his son that he never had himself. He says personal art continues to be an important way for him to thrive

PHOTO: PHOT PHO P PH HOT H OT O TO: O : SEAN SE EAN AN MCLEAN AN MCL MCLE M MC C AN AN

“I got caught because all the drawings looked the same, but people were stoked on me,” he says. “That was my first taste.” From there, Musgrave’s style became an amalgamation of his hardscrabble vantage points of Santa Cruz County, taking influence from his teen years hanging out with Norteño gang members in Watsonville and his collective observations of a beach town’s dark underbelly. “We have a strange dichotomy here,” he says. “Santa Cruz is this affluent seaside community, intermingled with beach vatos and cholos; guns and knives; neck tattoos and tall-sock derby dudes—a hardcore community— and that’s part of the history here.” Channeling that inspiration and producing it for an inter-

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and to connect with Bishop. Every morning before school, Musgrave and his son spend 30 or so minutes illustrating Bishop’s brown paper lunch bag, which has become a notable art project in its own right. (Follow his lunch bag illustrations on Instagram @sc_goon.) With memories of his own troubled upbringing lurking like ghosts in the back of his mind, Musgrave will sometimes worry about the curve balls life will throw at Bishop, but at the end of the day he knows his kid is growing up in a different world than he did—primarily, with a father. “[Bishop] will ask me sometimes about it, and I’ll tell him I didn’t have a dad, and he tells me how bad he feels for me,” Musgrave says. “He’s sweet, empathetic, and mellow. I try to keep him busy and focused and in a stable environment. And I’m just excited to think what he’ll be capable of with all the backing he has.” Like the skate art he produces for NHS, Musgrave says his strategy for parenthood comes down to striking a balance between dedication to local values while also exploring what’s out there in the wideopen world. He says that while Santa Cruz’s culture is distinctively beautiful, he’s seen the town “eat people alive.”

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“I’ve watched them get so localized, so confident in their place here, they end up on meth or burning out. They don’t see the bigger world. “That insulation,” he continues, “that’s one thing I want protect my from—getting to op rotteecctt m ro y so sson on fr ro om m—g —get —get etti ting ti ng g engrained. ttoo to oo en engr grraii need. g d. I ttry rry y tto o tr ttravel a el av e wi w itth hh im m aass m mu uch ch as a s I can caa n [and] [aa nd [and n ] with him much eexpose ex xp po ossee h i m tto im o new new things. ne t h iin th ngs ngs g . And A d An him he h e’s ’s g oii n o ng g tto o ha h av vee to to make m a kee his ma h is i he’s going have ow w n decisions deeci d ci si sion n s as a he he gets geets ts older.” old deerr.” ” own In M In u sg us grrav ve’s e’’s life, llii fee, making maki ma kin king ki ng g Musgrave’s ar rt ha h as se erv rved ed aass a way waay to clamcla la mart has served be b er up p and a nd out outt of of a dark da rrk da k hole ho olle and aan nd ber iin nto oaw orld or ld o o ppo p rt rtun tu un n ity, ity, it y love, lov ove, e, into world off op opportunity, an nd fa fami a mi m i ly y, aal l l wh whil h ille st sstaying tay a in i ng tr ing ttrue rue ue and family, all while tto oh iiss original orriig giina in naal a l inspiration. i nsp in spir spi i rat atiio on n.. his “I n “I eev veerr thought t ho ho oug ug ht ug ht I’d I’d d never aamount am mou ou nt to to anything, aan nyt y thi t hi h ing in ng g, but bu b ut art a r t was ar wa s aal lw waays ys aan n ou outl t let for tl for or me me to feel feeel always outlet llike li ik kee I w as w as or tth or h something. som omet e hi et h ng ng.. Itt was worth wa w a s li like kee a rreconciliation k eeccon onci onci ci lii aatt io ion n and an nd a was wa w ay tto ob aalone on o ne with w ith wi t h myself,” mys y el e f,,” way bee al M Mu u sg sg ra rave vee says. v say a s. s Here, Her ere, e, he e, he quotes quot qu otess otes Musgrave fr rom m a poem poeem by by Cesar Cessar a r Cruz: Cru r uz: z: “art z: “ar artt from sshould sh hou o ld d comfort com m fo forrtt the t he he disturbed d issttu u rb rbed ed an and nd di d sttur u rb th he co ccomfortable.” omf om mffo orr ttaab blle. e.” disturb the “ “G Grro owii n ng gu p, I w p, ou ld ou ld d r w ra “Growing up, would draw tth hesse jacked-up jjaacked ck ked d-up -u up iim m ag ages es w it h it these images with ssk k ul u l lss and a nd d all a lll this th hii s violent viiiol v ollen o olen ent st sstuff tuff u ff skulls an nd pe p eo op ple l wouldn’t wou u ld d n’ n’t understand unde un nd deerrssttaa n nd d and people itt at at all,” all, al l l,” l,” he l, he adds, add dds, s,, “and “an a nd then tth heen nI ca me came ca me tto o th tthis i [skate/surf] is [sk s aatte/ /su su rff ] wo w orl orl rd world wh heerre it’s itt’ss embraced. em mb braace c d. And A nd d I’ve I’v ve where mett so me om a ny pe an peop eop ople ple le who who ho it it has haa s h many people he h elp ped d to to make m k ma kee feel fee e l like lii k kee they’re t he hey’ ey’ y’rree helped n no ot so o aalone llo onee either." eiitt h heer." r." r. not

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Health & Lifestyle Expo for Women Cheers to Your Health! Thursday, May 12, 5-8 pm Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz It’s a girl’s night out for health! Ladies, grab your friends and family. Moms, take the night off. This event is all about YOU. Offered at NO CHARGE. Call 831.465.7818 or visit mysantacruzdoctor.org to register. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more details. facebook.com/pmgsantacruz twitter.com/pmgscc #SCwomensexpo

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Some Restaurants are Legends. Come see why. Please join us every Friday from 4-7pm at the Whole Enchilada Marketplace for free wine tasting featuring the best central coast wines. Enjoy the Fisherman’s breakfast at the Lighthouse Harbor Grille. Visit our Galleries and chill at the new Haute Enchilada Art Cafe. Visit the “Last Coastal Frontier”.

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bar is open 4pm-midnight | dinner 4pm-10pm 8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 | kauboigrillandsushi.com | 831.661.0449

open 7 days a week 11am to late 1520 Mission St., Santa Cruz 95060 burgersantacruz.com • 831.425.5300 7941 Soquel Dr., Aptos 95003 burgeraptos.com • 831.662.2811 SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 117

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FOOD&DRINK Himalayan Pink Salt Hot Chocolate

Urb Apothecary

Mutari Chocolate

Wildflower Honey

Meek's Honey

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Basil Mint Herbal Lip Balm

NotSo Hot Sauce

NotSo Presents

Nº 49 Studio Apothecary: Coastal Eucalyptus Goat Milk Lotion

Fish Princess Farms

Almond Anise Apricot Gluten-Free Biscotti

Companion Bakeshop

Flavor Tripping Through an assortment of local goodies, Sojourn Box wants to capture and share Santa Cruz’s unique flavor By ELIZABETH LIMBACH

W

hen you want to learn more about a new city, you can read about it, look at photos of it and watch videos about it. But what better way to get a true taste of a place than to, well, taste it? That was Joanna Misunas’ thinking when she started her Santa Cruz-based company Sojourn Box. Akin to the subscription box model popularized by services like Birchbox and Blue Apron, Sojourn

Box sends customers a selection of thoughtfully curated goodies from a chosen location (options currently include Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Francisco and Silicon Valley, with plans to expand). Whether in full ($65) or taste size ($35), the packages contain an array of locally sourced items—mostly edible—that come together to form a carefully crafted sampling of a town’s distinct essence. In the case of Santa Cruz, Misunas says that unique

flavor is “sunny sweetness.” “Santa Cruz seems to always have a ray of sunshine available to be enjoyed, from the beautiful beaches that line the coast to the redwood mountains,” says Misunas, who was born and raised here, adding, “Santa Cruz is diversely dynamic. You can find a bit of everything here.” For far-flung partakers, the Sojourn Box is an edible gateway to this experience. And for locals,

it’s both a fun way to enjoy the fruits of one’s hometown and a handy gift idea. To complement the taste, each purchase comes with a playlist of the company’s top 10 favorite songs by local musicians, an interactive map of the town and small prints by local artists. After much foraging, networking, note taking and consideration, here (above) is what Misunas has put into the Santa Cruz box.

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FOOD&DRINK LOCAL DRINKS

otic beverage becomes a vitaminand mineral-packed powerhouse that supports immunity, blood and intestinal health. TRY: Creative Cultures’ Beet Kvass (creativeculturesfoods.com).

Kraut Juice

PHOTO: JOSH BECKER

A potent and salty probiotic drink made from—you guessed it—the juice left over from sauerkraut. Kraut juice is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, folate, zinc, and flavonoids (a phytochemical that can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease). The process of fermenting cabbage also produces isothiocyanates, which have been shown to prevent cancer growth–especially in the breast, colon, lung, and liver. TRY: Farmhouse Culture’s Gut Shots (farmhouseculture.com).

Gut Check Four fermented drinks that support a healthy microbiome By MELISSA SPIERS

W

hat comes to mind when you think of fermented drinks? Cider, beer, moonshine? If your list ends there, it’s time to think less “microbrew” and more “microbiome.” Micro-what? Human beings aren’t just single organisms: we’re a full-on ecosystem, hosting a zillion tiny microbes. These microscopic forms of life outnumber our own cells by about 10 to one and their genes outnumber ours 100 to one. Our bodies can actually borrow and learn from their genes—particularly from those that live in our gut—which can generate spectacular health benefits for us. Gut microbes affect how our liver and muscles store nutrients and process sugar: they are the key to metabolism,

affecting whether we store energy as fat or glycogen, how we respond to insulin, what our appetite is like at any given point, and so on. They also break down food we can’t digest, especially carbohydrates, which allows us to absorb more nutrients. On top of that, they make vitamins we can’t manufacture on our own, like Bs and K, release compounds that reduce inflammation, and help our immune cells discriminate between good bacteria (keep!) and bad (attack!), preventing infections, sickness, and auto-immune disorders. How do we encourage our little guests to do their good work? Fermented foods and beverages have been consumed for thousands of years in many different cultures in order to harness the benefits of

probiotics (the “good” gut bacteria or microbes). For centuries Koreans have eaten kimchi, Europeans have had sauerkraut and yogurt, and the Chinese have drunk kombucha, reaping the health rewards long before scientists pointed them out. With recent research now confirming many of the long-claimed benefits, fermented drinks have become steadily more diverse and readily available, and some of the most popular (and delicious) options— spotlighted below—are produced right here on the California coast.

Kvass A lacto-fermented drink that can be made with an enormous array of “starter” ingredients, from rye bread to currants to lemons. Made with beets the effervescent probi-

Kefir A fermented milk product producing natural probiotics through lactic acid bacteria and yeast in a mix of proteins, lipids and sugars. The lactic-acid bacteria pre-digest the lactose in kefir, making it much easier for the dairy-intolerant to ingest than other forms of dairy. Kefir contains about 30 different microorganisms, making it a much more potent source of probiotics than yogurt and other fermented dairy products. TRY: Dairy-free versions of kefir can be made with coconut water, coconut milk or other bases. Local outfits Dr. Kefir and Verve Coffee Roasters jointly produce a non-dairy kefir beverage brewed with Verve’s Streetlevel coffee blend.

Kombucha Traditionally made of fermented black tea, this effervescent beverage originated in China approximately 2,000 years ago and was known as the “immortal health elixir.” (A true translation of the Chinese characters is more prosaic: “red mold tea.”) Kombucha contains probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants, and acids that promote immune health, digestion, and detoxification, and can be made with green tea as well as black. TRY: Kevita's Master Brew.

SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 12 1

LAILI RESTAURANT

Dining Guide Downtown ASSEMBLY Seasonal rustic California cuisine. 1108 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 824-6100, www.assembleforfood.com

BETTY'S EAT INN Locally owned burger joint with a fun vibe. Features award-winning burgers, fries, salads, beer, wine and shakes. Soak up the sun on the outdoor patios at all three locations. Expanded menu and full bar at this location only. 1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, (831) 600-7056, www.bettyburgers.com

EL PALOMAR

PLEASURE PIZZA

Unique and fresh Mexican cuisine, family recipes. 1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 425-7575, www.elpalomarsantacruz.com

Offering traditional pizza, as well as new and exciting tastes and textures. 1415 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 600-7859, www.pleasurepizzasc.com

HULA'S ISLAND GRILL California twist on Hawaiian island grill and tiki bar. 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz, (831) 426-4852, www.hulastiki.com

LAILI Santa Cruz's answer to highquality Mediterranean / Indian / Pakistani / Afghan food. 101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-4545, www. lailirestaurant.com

CAFE MARE

PACIFIC THAI

Authentic Italian dining, fresh, organic, local ingredients. 740 Front St., Santa Cruz, (831) 458-1211, www.cafemare.com

Authentic Thai cuisine and boba teas in a modern and casual dining atmosphere. 1319 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 420-1700, www.pacificthaisantacruz.com

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PONO HAWAIIAN GRILL AND THE REEF Traditional Hawaiian grill, poke bar, fresh ingredients, full bar. 120 Union St., Santa Cruz, (831) 426-7666, www.ponohawaiiangrill.com

Irish hospitality. 1220 Pacific Ave., Second Floor, Santa Cruz, (831) 426-9930, www.rosiemccanns.com

ZOCCOLI’S Iconic delicatessen, sandwiches, salads, sides. 1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-1711, www.zoccolis.com

The Boardwalk/ Harbor/Wharf

RIVER CAFE Local, organic, farm-fresh gourmet. 415 River St., Santa Cruz, (831) 420-1280, www.rivercafesantacruz.com

ROSIE MCCANN’S Braveheart black angus steaks, Tecumseh all-natural poultry, linecaught seafood and full bar. Rosie McCann’s exemplifies the best in

HARBOR CAFE Voted best breakfast in Santa Cruz. Known for its outdoor patio and being dog friendly. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. 535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 475-4948, www.harborcafesantacruz.com

THE CROW’S NEST Iconic restaurant and bar located

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Santa Cruz

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AWAKEN YOUR RESTLESS PALATE with Sanderlings new cra cocktails and Restless Palate menu. Fresh new libations like the Castroville Collins and Hibiscus Fields Forever and creative entrées such as the El Banh-Mi Sandwich and Tiki Fish Tacos are sure to tantalize the palate. sanderlingsrestaurant.com • ( - • One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos (Across from Seascape Village on Seascape Blvd.) SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 12 7

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FOOD&DRINK DINING GUIDE at the harbor. 2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, (831) 476-4560, www.crowsnest-santacruz.com

Westside/Scotts Valley BURGER.

DEKE’S MARKET Complete mini-market and the “In Mah’ Belly Deli.” 334 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 476-5897, www.dekesmarket.com

JOHNNY’S HARBORSIDE Fresh seafood with stunning view of the harbor. 493 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 479-3430, www.johnnysharborside.com

Midtown AKIRA Sushi made with fresh-caught seafood and locally grown produce. 1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 6007093, www.akirasantacruz.com

ALOHA ISLAND GRILLE Authentic Hawaiian-style plate lunches. 1700 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, (831) 479-3299, www.alohaislandgrille.com

BETTY BURGERS Famous for super tasty award-winning burgers.505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-8190, www.bettyburgers.com

CHARLIE HONG KONG Offering healthy, flavorful Asian street cusine. 1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 426-5664, www.charliehongkong.com

Grass-fed beef, fun atmosphere, and a great beer menu. 1520 Mission St., Santa Cruz, (831) 425-5300, www.burgersantacruz.com

CASCADES BAR & GRILL AT COSTANOA California cuisine, local, organic, and handcrafted ingredients. Menu updated seasonally. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2001 Rossi Road at Hwy 1, Pescadero, (650) 879-1100, www.costanoa.com

HOLLINS HOUSE At Pasatiempo. Magnificent views, award-winning cuisine, and outstanding wine list. 20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz, (831) 459-9177, www.pasatiempo.com/hollins-house

HOP HEAD American tavern serving craft beer and sustainable pub fare in a relaxed space with shuffleboard. 18 Victor Square, Scotts Valley, (831) 346-6945, beahophead.com

MISSION ST. BBQ Serving up smoked barbecue, craft beer and live music. 1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz, (831) 458-2222, www.facebook.com/missionstbbq

PARISH PUBLICK HOUSE British-influenced pub food with full bar. 841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 421-0507, www.parishpublickhouse.com

THE CRÊPE PLACE

VASILI’S

Array of savory and sweet crêpes, French food and live music. 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 429-6994, www.thecrepeplace.com

Authentic and fresh, with vegetarianfriendly Greek food. 1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, (831) 458-9808, www.vasilisgreekrestaurant.com

THE JERK HOUSE

WEST END TAP & KITCHEN

Jamaican/Caribbean classics and beer served in a mellow, island-inspired eatery with hip digs and patio. 2525 Soquel Drive, Ste. B, Santa Cruz, (831) 316-7575

Traditional pub flavors with a California twist. 334 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, (831) 471-8115, www.westendtap.com

WINGSTOP SEABRIGHT BREWERY Rotating beer selection, with dogfriendly outdoor patio. 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 426-2739, www.seabrightbrewery.com

The go-to destination when you crave fresh wings, hand-cut seasoned fries and tasty sides. Save time and order online. 845 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 454-9464, www.wingstop.com

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FOOD&DRINK DINING GUIDE

Eastside/Capitola BETTY BURGERS Famous for super tasty award-winning burgers. 1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 475-5901, www.bettyburgers.com

CHILL OUT CAFE Breakfast burritos, espresso drinks, beautiful garden. 2860 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 477-0543, www.chilloutcafesantacruz.com

EAST SIDE EATERY, PLEASURE PIZZA Offering traditional pizza, as well as new and exciting tastes and textures. 800 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 431-6058, www.pleasurepizzasc.com

PARADISE BEACH GRILLE Fine dining in the Capitola Village. An award-winning beachside restaurant with spectacular ocean views. 215 Esplanade, Capitola, (831) 476-4900, www.paradisebeachgrille.com

THE SAND BAR Capitola's new hot spot for great food, cocktails, and weekly live music. 211 Esplanade, Capitola, (831) 462-1881

SHADOWBROOK Fine dining with a romantic setting, cable car lift. A Capitola tradition since 1947. 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, (831) 4751511, www.shadowbrook-capitola.com

SÜDA Contemporary cuisine in retro-modern restaurant. Voted best new restaurant 2013. 3910 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, (831) 600-7068, www.eatsuda.com

SURF CITY SANDWICH Fast-casual dining with craft sandwiches, gourmet soups, salads, and a micro-taproom. 4101 Soquel Drive, (831) 346-6952, www. surfcitysandwich.com

Aptos/Watsonville APTOS ST. BBQ Santa Cruz County's best smoked barbecue, craft brews and live blues every night. 8059 Aptos St., Aptos, (831) 662-1721, www.aptosstbbq.com

BURGER. Grass-fed beef, fun atmosphere, great beer menu. 7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, (831) 662-2811, www.burgeraptos.com

CAFE RIO Enjoy ocean-front dining with breathtaking views. 131 Esplanade, Aptos, (831) 688-8917, www.caferioaptos.com

CANTINE WINE PUB Extensive selection of wine and beer. Eat, drink, savor. 8050 Soquel Drive, Aptos, (831) 612-6191, www.cantinewinepub.com

CILANTROS Authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients, high-quality meat and seafood. 1934 Main St., Watsonville, (831) 761-2161, www.elpalomarcilantros.com

FLATS BISTRO Pizza by the slice, espresso coffee, pastries and desserts. 113 Esplanade, Rio Del Mar, (831) 661-5763, www.flatsbistro.com

THE HIDEOUT

Soquel CAFE CRUZ Rosticceria and bar, nice atmosphere, fresh and local. 2621 41st Ave., Soquel, (831) 476-3801, www.cafecruz.com

MICHAEL’S ON MAIN Serving cutting-edge California comfort cuisine, small plates, and salads. 2591 S. Main St., Soquel, (831) 479-9777, www.michaelsonmain.net

Fill your plate with good grub, pour a good drink, enjoy attentive and friendly service. 9051 Soquel Drive, Aptos, (831) 688-5566, www.thehideoutaptos.com

KAUBOI Seasonal organic ingredients, traditional Japanese. 8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, (831) 661-0449, www.kauboigrillandsushi.com

MANUEL'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Traditional, delicious recipes, cooked

SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 13 1

FOOD&DRINK DINING GUIDE

fresh daily, served with a genuine smile. 261 Center Ave., Aptos, (831) 688-4848, www.manuelsrestaurant.com

PALAPAS RESTAURANT & CANTINA Coastal Mexican Cuisine. Extensive tequila selection. Happy Hour, and dinner specials. 21 Seascape Blvd., Aptos, (831) 662-9000, www.palapasrestaurant.com

SANDERLINGS IN THE SEASCAPE BEACH RESORT Where your dining experience is as spectacular as the view. 1 Seacscape Resort Drive, Aptos, (831) 688-7120, www.sanderlingsrestaurant.com

SEVERINO’S BAR & GRILL Award-winning chowders, locally sourced ingredients. 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos, (831) 6888987, www.severinosbarandgrill.com

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ZAMEEN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

PALACIO

THE BASIN

Flavorful meals in a casual dining setting. 7528 Soquel Drive, Aptos, (831) 688-4465, www. zameencuisine.com

Upscale Latin restaurant offers a variety of classic entrees, plus tapas and a big tequila menu. 115 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, (408) 402-3811, www.palaciorestaurant.com

Upscale but relaxed American eatery with a patio and a focus on organic, sustainable ingredients. 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, (408) 867-1906, www.thebasin.com

Over the Hill

OAK & RYE

PLUMED HORSE

Wood-fired pies, small plates and craft cocktails are the draw at this sophisticated Italian bistro. 303 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. (408) 395-4441, www. oakandryepizza.com

This special-occasion spot serves California fare in an elegant setting with various dining rooms. 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, (408) 867-4711, www.plumedhorse. com

STILETTOS WINE BAR

BROWN CHICKEN BROWN COW

FORBES MILL STEAKHOUSE Upmarket chophouse purveys Kobe beef and other prime cuts in a stylish, fireplace-equipped setting. 206 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, (408) 395-6434, forbesmillsteakhouse.com

DOUBLE D'S SPORTS GRILLE Burgers, draft beers and more served in a lively space with sports memorabilia and lots of TVs. 354 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, (408) 395-6882, www.doubleds.com

Indulge in an evening of delicious drinks and designer shoes. 14527 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, (408) 647-2303, www.stilettoswinebar.com

Burgers, sandwiches, salads and beers. 397 E Campbell Ave., Campbell, (408) 340-5916, www.brownchicken-browncow.com

SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 13 3

Make your Mother’s & Father’s Day and Graduation Reservations Now!

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FOOD&DRINK DINING GUIDE

KYOTO PALACE Authentic Japanese steakhouse that has a fun, interactive environment and is great for parties and groups. 1875 South Bascom Ave., Ste. 2500, Campbell, (408) 389-0991, www.kyotopalace.com

cafe and shop with a patio. 234 E Campbell Ave., Campbell, (408) 6267711, www.tessoras.com

Moss Landing HAUTE ENCHILADA CAFE

RENDEZVOUS WINE BAR New hip and trendy place for great wine and food. 394 E Campbell Ave., Campbell, (408) 680-0401, www.rendezvouscampbell.com

SUSHI CONFIDENTIAL Modern sushi house lures locals with its creative rolls and Japanese fare served in a warm atmosphere. 247 E Campbell Ave., Campbell, (408) 596-5554, www.sushiconďŹ dential.com

An eclectic menu made with sustainable seafood and local organic produce. Wine and beer tasting plus two art galleries featuring local artists. 7902 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, 6335843, www.hauteenchilada.com.

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA Mexican seafood restaurant with a relaxed harbor atmosphere. 7904 CA-1, Moss Landing, 633-3038, www.wholeenchilada.com.

TESSORA'S BARRA DI VINO Wines by the glass or by the bottle and eclectic eats in a relaxed

Santa Cruz Waves

Beer Week from

May 23

thru

May 27

santacruzwaves.com/beerweek

SKIP THE WAIT. ORDER @ wingstop.com

SANTA CRUZ 845 ALMAR AVENUE / ( 831) 454-9464 / CORNER OF MISSION AND ALMAR, IN THE SAFEWAY SHOPPING CENTER SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 13 5

EVENTS EARTH DAY 2016

APRIL

x Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24, all day. Pleasure Point, bigsticksurfing.org/index.html.

Whether you’re a veteran eco-warrior or a newbie looking to learn how to live a greener life, this festive annual celebration is the place for you. The event will feature activities for kids including arts and crafts, live music and a focus on green businesses. x Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz, scearthday.org.

JAZZ ON THE WHARF Kick back and listen to top-notch jazz musicians play against the beautiful backdrop of the Monterey Bay. x Sunday, April 24, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Municipal Wharf, santacruzparksandrec.com.

16 EARTH DAY SANTA CRUZ

16 PASSPORT DAY

Four magical days a year, the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association offers its version of the golden ticket to local wine lovers: with the purchase of just one handy “passport,” you gain entry (and tastings!) at dozens of amazing local wineries. x Saturday, April 16. Various wineries, Santa Cruz Mountains, scmwa.com.

17 SCIENCE SUNDAY

Enjoy photos, talks and videos, and get a first-hand glimpse of what it’s like to be a marine scientist from the experts. x Sunday, April 17, 1-2 p.m. Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.

22

THE 2016 SANTA CRUZ WAVES SWELLIES PARTY The second annual Swellies event will celebrate Santa Cruz's chosen favorites, from shortboarders and skate shops to burritos and banks. Mingle with Swellies winners and the Santa Cruz Waves team while partying in the name of supporting local businesses. The bash will be catered by Assembly and Aptos St. BBQ, with wine and beer provided by Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery, Bonny Doon Vineyard, New Bohemia Brewing Co., Seabright Brewery, and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. x Friday, April 22, 7-10 p.m. Santa Cruz Food Lounge, 1001 Center St., Ste. 1, Santa Cruz. Buy tickets at 2016swellies. eventbrite.com.

23 & 24 THE LOG JAM

A family-oriented, local vintage surfboard contest brought to you by the Big Stick Surfing Association.

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24

30 26TH ANNUAL DUCKY DERBY

A fun-filled day of activities, food and music for children and adults, with exciting rubber ducky races to be held throughout the day. x Saturday, April 30, 10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Harvey West Park, duckyderbysantacruz.org.

MAY

27-29

CALIFORNIA ROOTS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL California Roots isn’t just a music festival; it’s a movement. The experience promises to deliver a cosmic blend of good vibes. Catch some of the best live reggae music around while soaking up the Central Coast sunshine. x Friday, May 27-Sunday, May 29. Calirootsfestival.com.

28 & 29 SANTA CRUZ

AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL Surrounded by the beautiful natural redwoods, this music festival is one of a kind. Some of last year’s performers included Bonnie Raitt, Big & Rich and Los Lonely Boys. x Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Aptos Village Park, santacruzamericanmusicfestival.com.

28 & 29 32ND ANNUAL

SANTA CRUZ LONGBOARD CLUB INVITATIONAL The West Coast’s longest-running competitive longboard surfing event that features both amateur and professional surfers. x Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, all day. Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point, santa-cruz-longboard-union.com.

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Did you know that... ...gazing at gardens and nature can reduce stress levels, the need for ƉĂŝŶ ŵĞĚŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƐŚŽƌƚĞŶ ƚŚĞ length of a hospital stay? The Healing Courtyards Initiative redesigns six courtyards on the hospital grounds, not only to bring serenity to patients and their families, but also to speed recovery. The Rehabilitation Garden provides a space for patients to work with physical and other therapists. To get involved, please contact Beverly Grova, VP of Philanthropy 831.462.7712 / beverly.grova@dignityhealth.org www.supportdominican.org

Drawing by J.L.J.A.

Rehabilitation Garden Recognition opportunities are available

Together we are bringing the very best medical care to our community. SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 13 9

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COOL OFF IN THE BUBBLE

SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 14 1

COOL OFF

MAKING

WAVES

THE 5TH ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ WAVES SANDBAR SHOOTOUT PHOTOS: Nelly / SPL, Yvonne Falk, Michael Pegram, Kookson, Kenan Chan SPONSORS: Seascape Foods, The Listening Stack, Local Style, Pleasure Pizza, Santa Cruz Core, Santa Cruz Salmon Jerky, A. Bachar Fine Art, The Hideout, Rainbow Fin Co., Reef, Alibi Interiors, Bay Federal, Kauboi, New Leaf, burger., Village Host Pizza, Driscoll’s, Eastside Eatery 14 2 | SANTA CRUZ WAVES

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.COM SANTA CRUZ WAVES | 14 3

Breaking News: Willy Wonka creates E QER QEHI [EZI SJ GLSGSPEXI QYGL to the delight of local surfer Darshan Gooch. PHOTO: KOOKSON

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PHOTO: JOAH BROWN

VOTED FAVORITE WOMEN’S CLOTHING IN SANTA CRUZ 14 4 6 | SANTA S ANTA A A CRUZ C Z WAVES CRU WAVES W VEE

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