Messages

1486

SUP General / Re: finally it happened words with a proner

« on: July 18, 2014, 10:06:26 PM »

Just an FYI, but there were six of us out today a couple Trails north, and after about 45 minutes in, had a LG truck drive up, turn to position his PA in our direction.....and just watched for about 15 minutes as all of us had a blast, and then drove off without a peep.

Two of us had the reg sheet in our vehicles just on case, but not needed this time, and maybe because all six have been at if for awhile, and the largest board out there was 8'2x29".....not nearly as noticeably large as the loooongboarders a couple hundred yards south.

Anyway, the 26th sounds fun.....whether the LGs are just spectators or not.

See y'all then.

1487

SUP General / Re: Is this the Shark that bit the swimmer?

« on: July 08, 2014, 01:00:41 PM »

The fisherman stated he was fishing for bat rays and tiger sharks.  Correct me if I am wrong, but tiger sharks are not common in SoCal waters.  I know that technically SoCal falls into their "territory", but I have always assumed that the white shark was the top dog here and Hawaii and Florida were tiger shark country.

Many folks often mistakenly call the relatively harmless "leopard shark" a "tiger shark".  I'm assuming because of its "similar" markings on its back....

....at least I've heard numerous folks call the "leopards" frequently seen at SanO "tigers", but maybe then, that's just to keep me outta the water.   

1488

Random / Re: Newport Beach Lifeguard Drowns

« on: July 08, 2014, 09:53:12 AM »

Very sad news indeed.

I coached club water polo at Los Osos High School in Cucamonga for several years after Ben had graduated from our rival Etiwanda high school, and have known a number of their players and coaches over the years. I've met his dad and even did the graphics for their polo team tee shirts for a couple of years.  Ben was a water polo stud, a true waterman in the tradition of some of the greats from our inland So Cal area, a great player both in high school and at UCI. You really love the ocean if you're willing to spend all those hours in So Cal traffic to be there. 

Surf has a way of doing the unexpected, I have no explanation for randomness.  I do know that there is no more honorable way to perish than to do so in an effort to save another life.  This is especially sad considering just two short years ago, another Etiwanda polo player, Josh Ashley died in similar circumstances serving in Afghanistan. I believe a few extra prayers for their families and friends are on the schedule in the coming days.

Yes, very sad news.....sometimes even more so when you have personal ties to the person.

Tough times for you I'm sure SJ, that you knew the family and all, but the above is so well stated with what our lifeguards, and service men and women do so unselfishly, and unheralded on a daily basis.

We're so used to hearing about lifeguards pulling people out of the water on an almost daily basis, that we sometimes forget to realize just how dangerous it can be for them in certain conditions, and the certain "condition(s)" of those whom they're trying to saving.

I have to wonder how the Newport City Councilmembers value Ben's service to them now.... 

Lifeguards in hot water  (Click here for article)
Guardians of Newport's beaches battle public misconceptions about their profession amidst debate about their compensation and pensions.

Residents and politicians are now reevaluating career lifeguards' worth, and many towns are considering budget cuts or pension reforms. The guards — suddenly emblematic of excessive public-employee compensation — have tried to combat nagging perceptions. They say that their thorough training, sophisticated equipment and years of experience prevent thousands of people from drowning each year.

But city officials in Newport Beach and other coastal communities in California say they need to put a numerical value on those who save lives, especially in these austere times.

"The issue at the end of the day is, 'What is the expense to the taxpayer?'" says Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who supported slashing half of the city's full-time guard positions. "I think it's too high. It's not fiscally sustainable."

Not that any amount of money will bring him back, but at least to be compensated for what he and the others risk on a daily basis, might at least show how much City leaders actually value life....and the people that risk their lives everyday to save it.

1489

SUP General / Re: Is this the Shark that bit the swimmer?

« on: July 08, 2014, 07:50:04 AM »

You don't ever want to get in a pissing match with fishermen..... they have a LOT of political power. Surfers would lose that territorial battle.

Yep, money talks.....they (fishermen in general, not those on a pier) have to pay for a license to fish.....fortunately, as of yet, we don't have to pay for a license to surf.

Remember the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.

1490

SUP General / Re: Calling all Zoners ... looking for a late model ride

« on: July 08, 2014, 07:21:46 AM »

Sanosup that looks very close, is that yours? what are the specs (length, width, thickness)?

No, that one's not mine....just remembered it from Craigslift a weeks ago, and posted the link for you.

Best of luck on your search....I'll keep an eye out for you if that one or the CC at Rivie "surfercook" posted doesn't work out.  Just keep us updated on your progress.

1491

SUP General / Re: Calling all Zoners ... looking for a late model ride

« on: July 07, 2014, 05:13:33 PM »

Don't know if this one would work for you.....but it does meet the "at least an 11'" part of your wishes.....


Don't know the year, but it does look like one of the "older Houses". 

1492

SUP General / Re: Bitten by a Great White at Manahttan Beach Today!

« on: July 06, 2014, 11:26:50 PM »

A marine biologist that was interviewed (who works at the aquarium at the end of the pier), believed (speculated) that one of the swimmer's strokes actually caught the fisherman's line, and as a result, pulled the shark to him (or him to the shark), that was thrashing around with mouth open, trying to "spit the hook".

I see what you're saying, but I still think the whole ugly incident would not have happened if not for the presence of the fisherman.

Oh yeah, I agree with that 100%.....no speculation there. 

Don't remember, but it might have been that same biologist that said that was only the 2nd record juvenile shark bite on a human in history.....so that also seems to make the fisherman (who chose not to cut the line when he should have) even more culpable in the chain of events

1493

SUP General / Re: Bitten by a Great White at Manahttan Beach Today!

« on: July 06, 2014, 12:30:22 PM »

Why speculate when there's video:

I believe the "speculation" is whether or not the shark actually "bit" the swimmer, or whether is was a case of the shark moving and slashing around trying to get the hook out of its mouth....and the swimmer just happened to be in the area in which it was doing it.

A marine biologist that was interviewed (who works at the aquarium at the end of the pier), believed (speculated) that one of the swimmer's strokes actually caught the fisherman's line, and as a result, pulled the shark to him (or him to the shark), that was thrashing around with mouth open, trying to "spit the hook".  [Here's the interview....go to the 1:33 mark of the clip, and then the :59 sec mark of this one....]

By the looks of the wound(s) on the swimmer, that appears to be the more plausible event, as they look to be more of a "scrapping" type injury, and not a chunk taken out of him, had the shark actually chomped down/"bit" on him.



Again, JMO of the "speculative" reports coming from the evening news broadcasts out here.

EDIT: To add picture of swimmer's injury while being carried from the water. 

1494

SUP General / Re: finally it happened words with a proner

« on: July 05, 2014, 11:50:07 AM »

I'm thinking we should do a "Trails Session". Get as many SUS as possible at a designated time at say, Trail 6 and have sesh. Have a designated friend on the beach and when the lifeguards show up show em the rules.

Let's dooooooo it!!!
http://youtu.be/HpB19WlhwJA?t=50s

1495

SUP General / Re: finally it happened words with a proner

« on: July 05, 2014, 09:54:44 AM »

But some Barney Life guard paddles out (barely able to sit on the rescue board) to tell me.....

Oh gosh, I just pray that this happens in the not too distant future.....

Cuz "Barney Lifeguard" is going to find himself in an OJ Simpson "Low Speed Pursuit" all over the Trails' breaks.

Guess we'll find out just what kind of shape lil' Tommy toned tummy is really in....as I'm pretty sure that even on my 7'8" Retro that I surf down there, that I'm gonna out paddle him seven days a week. 

Should be fun....paddle north a bit, surf a couple lefts, see him catching up, paddle north some more, catch a couple more lefts, paddle south waaaay outside and past him, paddle in some, catch a couple rights, paddle south, catch a right into the beach.....and then walk up to the van.   

When numbnuts makes it in, and if he actually wants to follow me up to my van, I'll be more than happy to hand him a copy to this ......

http://www.letspaddle.org/state-standing-order2010.pdf

.....that I now carry with me, which specifically states.....

From the area known as "Dog Patch" surf break extending to the southeast to the southern-most park boundary at Trail 6, launching or beaching human powered paddle assisted vessels (kayaks, surf skis, wave skis, and stand-up paddle boards) shall be permitted.  No other vessels may operate, launch, or beach in this area.  The boundary of the launching and beaching zone is defined from the water by signs indicating "O" and "K" visible from the ocean.  If read as "OK", the reader is permitted in the area.  If the read as "KO", the reader is in the prohibited area.

And "Barney" I really don't give a fark what your supervisor has to say about it.....those are the rules.

1496

SUP General / Re: Were you a SUP hater?

« on: July 04, 2014, 10:38:44 AM »

Can you be a SUP hater, even though you're a SUPer yourself?

While I guess we were all there at one time (SUP noobs), but I find myself looking at some of the "new noobs" out there.....who have no clue of WTF they're doing, not only on their boards, but also to the sport.

Typically these are the folks who've never surfed, saw how fun (and easy?) of a sport it looked like, went to their local SUP shop (or Costco), bought a board, and hit the water.....without a clue of surf etiquette, much less the local rules of the beach.

Can't tell you how many times I've seen some of these weekend warriors paddling/flopping around Old Mans making fools of themselves, and ruining it for the rest of us....who on occasion sneak over there in less crowded conditions, and share waves with the proners, without any headache or hassle (or not too much any way).

Same thing with Church and Tres Baños.....good sesh going, when in paddles the Costco Special, and boogers it up for everyone.

And even more frustrating, when you paddle over to try to help them a bit with the "rules of the road", some blow you off as if it's below them to learn a little to make everyone's sessions more enjoyable....not to mention SAFE!!

So "yes", I guess I have to say that I am still a "SUP hater" when it comes to certain SUSers that paddle out into the lineup.

1497

Gear Talk / Re: Handheld VHF Recommendations

« on: July 04, 2014, 10:18:09 AM »

Unfortunately, this thread hits a sad chord for me.....

Don't know if any saw it, but that firefighter that was lost in the Sespe wilderness (he's the guy on the left in the photo), and finally found deceased a week ago....was a past co-worker, and good friend of mine.

Can't say that a PLB would have changed the outcome....but I can't help but think, had he had one on his person when he left camp chasing his dog....that maybe instead of trying to self-rescue himself, he might have simply hunkered down someplace, pressed a button, and waited for someone to find him.

I don't know....just thinking out loud to try to make some sense of it all.

1498

Gear Talk / Re: Shout out to Ralph at Sup-Position

« on: July 04, 2014, 09:58:39 AM »

+1

Ralph is a very good guy.....and very generous with his time, paddles, boards, and knowledge.

But I must say, so have many on this site been when it comes to helping folks just starting out, or those trying to better themselves in the sport.

Can't imagine the learning curve of getting where I have without the help of so many great "Zoners".

A big "THANKS!!" to all. 

Happy 4th all....be safe and sane....well, at least on dry land. 

1499

Gear Talk / Re: Explain spray on traction to me please.

« on: July 04, 2014, 08:23:26 AM »

1.  Does it work well?

Yes, very well. 

2.  Does it take off skin when it rubs you?

Yes, VERY well. 

3.  Does it stay on?

Yes, very well. 

4.  Do you think it would stick to my polypropylene plastic, Ocean Kayak Nalu?  (Just bought it from Ralph at Sup-Position today for my yearly Santa Cruz Island trip.  Gonna do it SUP this year.  Love the kayak/sup hybrid Nalu for what it is, but not too impressed with the slightly ruffed up plastic they give you for traction)

Don't see why not, but you might want to go the "test spot" in a small "non vital" area route first just in case.

If you think spray on traction will help, where can I buy it?

Many/most of the surf shops in our area carry the "Monster Paint" traction, but a Google search turns up plenty of online places at which to order it.

Now that being said.....because of #2, I've not used it on the last two boards I've purchased.  Recently picked up a 9'0" Infinity Slater Trout model, and decided to just go back to the tried and true wax route to noseride on it.

The one time a couple years ago that I slid my knuckles across the Monstered deck as I didn't time an "over the whitewater ollie" correctly while still holding the paddle, is sorta etched in my mind....and scars on my knuckles remind me when I start thinking about shaking the can to apply it again to something new.   

1500

SUP General / Re: Stoked Claim

« on: June 13, 2014, 04:23:21 PM »

Where's....."look around to see if anyone else saw it"?  LOL!