WHAT’S NEWS Relevant information and announcement of activities of interest to the San Onofre paddle surfing community. Proposed Park Closures San Onofe To Remain Open? June 4, 2009 - Because of the State of California’s dire fiscal situation, there is a proposal to close 220 State parks. There are only 59 parks that might remain open because they could be self-staining, obtaining operating revenue from other than the state's depleted General Fund. Due to the high visitation numbers throughout the year, San Onofre is on the list of parks that could be spared because of funds generated by entrance fees. However, the prospect of increased fees and reduced operating costs are being considered to keep the park open. O.C. Toll Road Hits Dead End Coastal Commission Ruling Upheld December 19, 2008 - The federal government declined Thursday to breath new life into a plan to carve a toll road through San Onofre State Park. This apparently ends a contentious, years-long campaign by transportation officials to ram a six-lane turnpike through a state park that skirted the sands of the famed Trestles surf break. Over the past several years, the fight over the toll road has grown from a parochial transportation feud into a battle that galvanized environmental and surfing groups into a formidable coalition. At issue was the preservation of sensitive habitats and wetlands, protection of a Native American cultural site and the potential devastation of the popular San Mateo campgrounds. Unless the toll road proponents turn to the courts for relief, transportation officials will be forced to consider alternative routes that had been listed by the California Coastal Commission in their original rejection of the proposed route Out of Bounds! Paddle Surfers Ejected From SanO October 29, 2008 - An incident occurred this morning at San Onofre that illustrates the need for greater restraint among all paddle surfers...be they of the stand-up or sit-down variety. Due to almost no surf in the area designated for paddle surfing, several SUP'ers and wave skiers migrated over into the Dog Patch area…a location specifically off limits to any with paddles in hand. Allegedly because of a "complaint", the Life Guard Service appeared and broadcast a request that all paddle-surfers relocate to south of the OK sign. All but three moved back across the "boundary". Soon, a California State Park Ranger appeared and issued another directive for the remaining three to move. For reasons not yet established, they failed to do so. This apparent defiance was greeted with a more pointed warning...which was again ignored. The Ranger took up a position at the water’s edge and waited for these individuals to come ashore…at one point threatening arrest if his orders were not followed. Once ashore, names were taken and formal warnings were issued. No citations were given, but the trio was unceremoniously ejected from the park. The concern is that continued infringement of the statute that defines the paddle-surf area, could ultimately result in a total ban of paddle surfing at San Onofre. While that may seem an unlikely prospect, a previous exchange with the Park Superintendent would indicate that that is exactly what might happen if policing the paddle surfers becomes too much of an issue. Rather than challenge the current regulations by ignoring them, there is a strong sentiment that the paddle surf community needs to abide by the standards that are in place. To achieve that end, it has become evident that a little self-policing is necessary. Without that…paddle surfers may find themselves with no place to do their thing. A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT WATER QUALITY Who Knows What Evil Lurks Desiring to enhance his paddling resume, a popular San Onofre regular decided to give stand up paddling a try. To familiarize himself with the equipment, and get his sea legs before jumping into the surf, this fellow decided to launch from a popular site known as Baby Beach, located within Dana Point Marina. This particular site has a dubious reputation for consistently rating very low on the water quality scale. Steps have supposedly been taken to address this problem. but the location and position of this beach, located at the furtherest distance from the harbor entrance, has prove to be problematic. Within hours of completing his maiden voyage on a stand up paddle surf board, this individual began to feel feverish and was experiencing a fair amount of pain around his knee. Upon examination, he observed a small wound that was from an early incident. As his condition worsened, he decided to pay a visit to the local emergency room. The diagnosis was a virulent staph infection. And to make matters worse the infection proved to be drug resistant. As if that was not enough, the aggressive nature of this particular strain of bacteria necessitated the removal of a titanium artificial knee implanted only a couple of years ago. While the warning is often ignored, this situation supports the recommendation to refrain from entering the water in and around Dana Point Marina and to observe the 72 hour wait period for entry into the surf after it has rained. (1/18/08) YELLOW CARD FAIR WARING....WORLD CUP STYLE The mellow vibe at SanO has seemingly fostered certain behavior that may actually work against the very values the place so engenders. The practice of taking off on a wave in front of a rider who has already caught that wave, has resulted in some near misses and on a couple of occasions, some nasty collisions. Because folks generally don’t want to be seen as a trouble makers, these breaches of long-standing surfing protocol most often go un-addressed....which unfortunately seems to promote more of the same. This condition is begrudgingly tolerated by the SanO regulars...but often is a shock to those paddle surfers visiting from other breaks and most definitely, to the general stand-up surfing community. As a result, an unfavorable image of those who paddle surf SanO has emerged. To address this situation, a warning system, borrowed from World Cup play, has been recently implemented to curb the unwelcome and hazardous practice of "snaking" or "dropping in". A Yellow Card, along the lines of those seen during recent World Cup play, will be issued to those who violate the No Drop In standard. It is hoped that this mild rebuke will be sufficient to "educate" those who, through lack of awareness or just plain impudence, may need a reminder of how their actions may be hazardous to others. It is hoped that a Red Card will not be required to bring about desired change. NEW INFINITY DESIGN MAKES ITS DEBUT Steve Boehne, ever pushing surfing performance boundaries, has recently introduced a new wave ski that incorporates features of his patented Stinger / Mosquito series with some of the design elements of the traditional Australian-style wave ski. The new design becomes immediately evident when viewing the ski in profile. At a relative short eight feet long, the new ski features a thicker tail section and a very pronounced up turn or " kick" in the nose. The wings, channels and bottom configuration featured on the Infinity Stinger and Mosquito wave skies are now merged with this uniquely shaped hull that measures 24" at its widest. The new, yet to be named ski has a deep seat well shaped into the deck, providing a firm connection to the ski while at the same time offering comfortable lower back support. Because the rear deck is thicker, the rider sits slightly higher then on previous Infinity models. This feature, plus the unique shape of the deck on each side of the seat, has the effect of reducing unwanted drag from a rider's hips digging into the wave face on steep, hard turns. An adjustable Velcro lap belt, DeKine foot straps and a fin box that will accept a fin of the riders choice, round out this high-performance package But possibly the biggest news is the introduction of a Polystyrene / epoxy resin lay up. Besides being slightly lighter then traditional Polyurethane/polyester resin, the new material is up to five times stronger. Because of its molecular structure, the Styrofoam/epoxy combination can absorb and rebound from blows that would shatter and compress the surface of a traditional ski.... making the new ski considerably more dent and ding resistant. Early feedback is that the new ski is very quick and nimble, performing best on fast, well-defined waves. An early reviewer found it much like the difference between riding a short surfboard versus cruising on a long surfboard. Because they are individually handcrafted to fit the rider’s skill and performance requirements, plus the added costs of material and the challenges of working with Styrofoam and epoxy, the base price for this new, custom built ski will run around $1,700. Quicker, lighter, stronger...what’s not to like? NICE TRY . . . BUT NO CIGAR The following feedback was sent to the editor of the Los Angeles Times OUTDOORS section Once again, the OUTDOORS section comes off more like ADVENTURE LITE. Case in point, the article in the October 5th, 2005 edition titled Take a Seat & Ride the Wave... which inaccurately reports on the sport of paddle surfing at San Onofre. It’s obvious that the author is not that familiar with San Onofre, or with the sport of paddle surfing. A prime example was his identification of Trestles as one of the breaks at San Onofre State Park. Actually Trestles is two miles north of San Onofre. This error will no doubt raise the ire of the Trestles crew in that the caliber of waves at this site attract only the most skilled and experienced surfers. On the other hand, San Onofre, noted for its kinder, gentler waves, is better suited for beginners and novice riders. If credibility is important to the Times, such errors will not promote your objective. The author goes on to misidentify the boundary separating the stand up surfers from the paddle surfers as a "red-lettered OK" sign. Actually it was originally a set of black letters . . . but the "K" has been missing for the better part of a year. A small error . . . but again, credibility is strained. Surprisingly, even though the author claims to be a white water river paddler, he makes no reference to the presence of specially designed surf kayaks that share the waves at San Onofre. This omission diminishes the scope of the article, making it more a record of the author’s personal experiences rather than a comprehensive report on an emerging recreational activity. And finally, the photo you selected shows a novice paddler doing the very thing that caused paddle surfers to be banned to the end of the park. Note in the foreground the presence of two hapless folks who appear to be directly in the path of a kayak that is clearly out of control. Collisions such as the one about to happen in that photo are what has greatly strained the relationship between the traditional surfers and the paddle surfers. The introduction of a "paddle only zone" was not based on the growing popularity of paddle surfing but rather on the unfavorable reputation earned by such injury-producing encounters. I continue to scan the OUTDOORS section each week but I am increasingly less attentive due to the somewhat superficial treatment given most subject matter. Today’s coverage of paddle surfing exemplifies that point. * Reply from Tom Curwen editor of the Los Angeles Times I want to thank you for your letter. Readers such as yourself keep us honest, and I like that. I don't want to respond point to point, but I do feel the need to explain the piece. As an occasional feature, our Semi-Secret column is not meant to be a comprehensive overview but really a look at a place -- whether for hiking, fishing or paddle-surfing potential -- that you won't quite find in the tour books. We've always wanted the writing to be personal and not attempt a broad survey, so you read the tone correctly. As for location, we were referring to the collective stretch of beach known as San Onofre, of which Trestles and Old Man's are just a part. But that said, I know from experience that there will be no changing the minds of readers such as yourself, and that's OK. Your deep knowledge of the place, your experience with the sport, and the fact that we did catch your attention is gratifying. Rest assured: Adventure Lite is nothing we aspire toward and knowing there are readers out there just like you will insure that we will always aim high. INFINITY WAVE SKI DESIGN MERITS A U.S. PATENT May 7, 2003 An event almost unheard of in the surfing industry occurred recently. Steve Boehne of Infinity Surfboards in Dana Point, CA was granted a United States Patent for his innovative wave ski design. The unique configuration of his Stinger and Mosquito model wave skis is now a protected design and may only be incorporated into Infinity products. While paddle surfing is a relatively recent entrant to the world of wave riding, Steve shaped his first wave ski back in 1972. Over the years, while focusing primarily on surfboard production, Steve continued to experiment by incorporating some of his innovative board design features into his wave skis. One configuration that worked particularly well, featured design elements borrowed from a popular surfboard of the late 1970’s…the Stinger. Recognizing that while weighting the back of the board turns a surfboard, a wave ski is turned from the center under the weight of the rider, who is essentially in a fixed position. By incorporating into the rails of the ski, a set of “wings” that end right behind the seat and sculpting channels that run beneath the wings, Steve created a high performance wave ski that has become the paddle surfing craft of choice at San Onofre. As news of these nimble wave craft has spread, a growing number of Infinity skis are starting to appear at other popular surf spots along both coasts and even overseas. With the cut-away rails and concave channels being the key elements of the patent protection, Steve is now exploring the prospect of introducing a lightweight epoxy version of his wave ski. Since Steve currently hand shapes each wave ski, his maximum output is approximately 100 skis per year. As the reputation and popularity of the Infinity wave ski has grown, a molded model that could be reproduced in quantity, would allow for broad distribution to meet worldwide demand. Steve is initially thinking about offering two models. One version, modeled after the popular Stinger, would be suitable for a wide range of surfing skills. The other option would be a smaller, trimmer ski fashioned after the Mosquito, which would fill the need for those desiring a high performance model. The attractiveness of this new line will no doubt be enhanced by the use of very durable material and a price that will fit within the budget of the economy-minded. One question yet to be answered …where on his wave skis will Steve place the US Patent number. THE MAKO AQUARIUS DEBUTS AT SANO The newest kayak designed specifically for surfing hit the beach recently at San Onofre. The Mako Aquarius, designed by Mike Johnson, with input from Vince Shay, incorporates design features that promise to make this boat one of the hottest craft in the line up. At 7'10" by 25 ½", the Aquarius is a compact craft for riders up to 180 pounds...although heavier riders have ridden it with success. Constructed of fiberglass and kevlar, the demo model weighs in at just under 30 pounds...which includes the seat and interior foam fittings. Unique to this particular kayak out of the PS Composites shop, is a three-plane bottom that remains flat all the way through the tail. A side view displays a moderate kick in the nose of 9 ½” with only a slight up turn in the tail. Legendary surfboard designer and shaper, Steve Boehne of Infinity Surf in Dana Point, recommended this particular design feature when he crafted the master plug. The execution of the final product by Paul Schreiner at PS Composites in Pennsylvania is first rate, with quality construction throughout. The Aquarius has been test-surfed by some of the top closed-deck riders including Byron Olson, Scott Eaton, Jim Grossman and Shawn Hennessy. All agreed that this surf kayak in all likelihood represents the next generation of surf craft. In its proto-type state, the Aquarius took a first and third at the Santa Cruz Paddle Surf Contest. Consistent with their objective of making each boat fit to the individual rider’s preferences, the folks at PS Composites will offer options that include personalized graphics, kevlar lay-up, adjustable foot pegs and fin boxes. Those interested in learning more about the Aquarius should visit www.customkayak.com or contact Mary Kay Heffernan of PSC at 717-944-1752 / info@customkayak.com WHITE SHARKS OBSERVED NEAR SAN ONOFRE Los Angeles Times * August 22, 2003 - According to the Times, a prominent shark researcher reports at least one large great white has been sighted just south of the nuclear generation plant. Positive identification was based on aerial photographs taken by a US Marine Corp helicopter unit. The crew observed five smaller sharks and two much larger sharks, measuring 15 to 17 feet, swimming as close as 100 yards from shore. Lifeguards had spotted a shark more than once at Trail One, just south of the power plant, but thought it was a mako shark. Similar sighting were made by wave skiers Mike Johnson and Randy Sarver several weeks ago. While the recent fatal attack on a swimmer off Avila Beach has heightened concerns, experts place the probability of an encounter with a great white as a really rare event. TIDE TABLE FOR YOUR PALM PILOT An ingenious little piece of software has been developed by Walt Bilofsky for hand held Palm units. Included is detailed information for locations throughout the world, featuring a large number of sites along the West Coast of the U.S. The display includes a daily high and low tide profile plus a nifty chart that graphically displays the tidal fluctuations. By moving the cursor you can acquire precise tide measurements for any time of day. http://www.toolworks.com/bilofsky/tidetool/ BEYOND THE LIMITS - A MUST SEE VIDEO If you've ever been fired up by some of the classic surf flicks of old, then viewing Roger Shacklelton's video Beyond The Limits will make you want to immediately charge out and throw some mighty moves on your wave ski or surf kayak. Featuring world champion John Christensen, this 1985 film has some incredible shots of John riding Pipeline in Hawaii, as well as some of the demanding breaks in his homeland of Australia. One of the highlights is watching John execute his bottom turns at the Pipe, setting up so late that he completely redefines getting "covered up". Don't let the age of this video diminish the relevance of his riding style...this is a must-see video if you're serious about paddle surfing. You may have to do a little searching to find a copy but maybe if you can track down Roger Shackleton, he'll cut you a fresh copy. Roger's telephone number in New South Wales, Australia is 001-61-2-99-057337.