HUNTINGTON BEACH

Many surfers noted it was fitting that as plans for Collins’ memorial materialized, the biggest swell in more than a year showed up – so large the event had to be postponed a day.

“It was strange timing,” said his son, A.J. “After everything, there was an explosion in the sea. Waves began to hit all coasts.”

About 2,000 people gathered under sunny skies on Sunday to partake in or watch the memorial paddle out, a Hawaiian tradition that allows surfers to pay tribute to one of their own who has died.

SEE PHOTOS OF THE GATHERING FOR SEAN COLLINS’ PADDLE OUT BELOW:

Collins revolutionized the way surfers sought waves, creating a surf forecasting website that allowed surfers to “Know Before You Go,” the Surfline slogan goes. The Seal Beach surfer died of a heart attack at age 59 on Dec. 26.

A ceremony prior to the paddle out was held on the sand where friends and loved ones spoke to the crowd. “I wish he could see the love of community in this world he created, and how many lives he blessed with his science,” A.J. said.

Speeches were given by big-wave riders Taylor Knox and Brad Gerlach, with stories about searching for massive waves around the world. A prayer was given by pastor and friend Sumo Sato. Among attendees were surfing royalty like surfwear creators Bob Hurley and Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight, along with several world champions.

Knox choked back tears as he talked about Collins, whom Collins knew when the World Tour surfer was just an up-and-coming grom in the ‘80s.

“He’s going to be really missed,” said Knox. “He’s an absolute legend. I’m just happy to know the guy… I know he’s here today.”
Huntington Surf and Sport owner and friend Aaron Pai talked about the spiritual connection Collins had with the weather and wind patterns.
“Smell that?” he recalled Collins asking him over breakfast one time in Mexico.
“Bacon and Eggs?” Pai replied.
The weather has shifted, Collins said, literally sniffing the air. He pulled up his Ipad to show a real-time video of a tropical storm brewing – and caught the next flight out to avoid getting pounded.

“He had this magic, this gift,” Pai said. “Who can smell a change in the weather? He had this magical gift, to be able to smell out waves, smell out storms.”

While hundreds of spectators lined the pier, a few hundred surfers took to the water – some clutching flowers – and formed a large circle on the south side of the pier. They held hands, splashed water to the sky.

“His influence on the millions of surfers and non-surfers will impact us for years and decades to come,” said Pai.  “He changed the way we searched for waves, and sought out swells around the world. This man influenced an entire generation.”

 Read the original story from the OC Register about Sean Collins’ life and accomplishments.

Thousands show for Surfline founder paddle out is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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1. Surf Contest on Hold in Honor of Surfline Founder
2. Shock, Sadness and Fond Memories Over Sean Collins, Surfline Founder’s Death
3. Battle of the Paddle brings thousands to Doheny

 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Restaurant Review

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The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is free the first Sunday of every month, thanks to a grant from Target.That includes this coming Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. (Yes, it’s really the second Sunday, but they were closed on New Year’s Day.)

Free opening hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so get out there and enjoy!  And get there early, they limit admission if the museum gets too crowded.

Click here to learn more about the Bowers Target Free First Sunday Jan. 8, 2012

And note that the Bowers Kidseum is free too! My kids used to love this when they were little.

How to get there:

• Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706
• Bowers Kidseum, 1802 N. Main St. Santa Ana 92706

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Get in free to Bowers Museum Sunday is a post from: OC Deals

 Sourced from: OC Deals

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By: Writer/Photographer: Chris MacDonald, The Local News Columnist

More than 700 people, including 36th District of California Congresswoman Janice Hahn, and Los Angeles Fourth District Council Member Tom LaBonge, ran into the 57 degree water at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro to celebrate the New Year. Hundreds of spectators cheered and waved at the annual event sponsored by The Cabrillo Beach Polar Bear Club, which just celebrated its 60th Anniversary. The club meets daily and runs into the ocean for an invigorating swim.

At the annual event, the new King & Queen, Domino and Miriam Santro from San Pedro, were crowned and will serve as ambassadors throughout the year. On hand to officiate was Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears President Kim M. White and representatives from Cabrillo Marine Aquarium who led the crowd in a “Grunion Dance” before entering the water. The yearly event draws people young to old from around the world. There was a 94 year old woman who ran into the water and a man from Germany who participated in the event. If you’d like to learn more, log onto: www.cabrillobeachpolarbears.com .

Photo:
1. Los Angeles Fourth District City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 36th District of California Congresswoman Janice Hahn and The Local News Columnist Chris MacDonald at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.

 Sourced from: Surf City News

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We’ll have two winners: A popular vote, and judges’ pick. The popular vote winner will be decided by the number of “likes” by the end of the contest deadline. The judges’ pick will be decided by a panel of judges. Voting begins Sunday, January 8 at 5:01 p.m. and ends Wednesday, January 11 at 5 p.m.

We’ll publish both photos in the Outdoor section of the Orange County Register newspaper. The winners will also receive Spy eyewear.

There’s no doubt going to be plenty of big waves to shoot — get creative and have fun with the contest! Feel free to let us know where the photo was taken, but if it’s a secret surf spot a vague description is acceptable. While you can submit images from anywhere there are waves, we’ll give more consideration to photos taken at local beaches.

The winners will be announced on the OC Beaches Facebook page by Thursday at noon. Good luck!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO OR TO ENTER AND WIN! 

January Big Wave Photo Contest! Sumbit and win is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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A group of about a dozen orcas has been spotted all week from Orange County to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and whale-watchers saw five of the so-called killer whales harassing a gray whale Wednesday morning.

“These are the same ones that we had for the past two days,” said Alisa Schulman-Janiger, head of the California Killer Whale Project. “They ate at least five sea lions off our area, and more off Orange County.”

Pete Thomas of Pete Thomas Outdoors believes the orcas are expanding their range into Southern California, possibly taking advantage of an abundant sea lion population. Video of the killer whales suggests they are gregarious and boat-friendly, making for some great whale-watching trips now.

On the migration front, gray whales continue to make their way from the Bering Sea to the lagoons of Baja California. They have been passing by the Southern California coast in record numbers, entertaining whale watchers and fishermen alike.

Anglers on the Westerly last week were also treated to fin whales lunge feeding off the Huntington Oil Rigs.

The Voyager out of Redondo Beach Marina offers daily whale-watching trips.

Great fishing continues

Rockfish season has closed, but a mild winter combined with plenty of live squid available for bait has kept the action going. The Victory out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach reported great fishing this week. Fifteen anglers caught limits of delicious sculpin, 125 perch, 300 sand dabs and a few sand bass.

“It’s great fishing and beautiful weather,” said Mike Blue from the Victory.

Out of Marina del Rey Sportfishing, 31 anglers caught more than 100 sand bass, along with 18 calico bass and 45 sculpin. The weather in the Santa Monica Bay has been glorious lately, and there have been enormous pods of dolphin and a couple of whales passing by.

Sand dabs, which look like little halibut, are quite tasty. There is no limit on these delectable flounders, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. Combine that with great-eating sculpin and a chance for some wintertime bass and halibut, and there are plenty of reasons to get out on the water now.

Go fishing with Phil

Fishing with Phil, part of Philip Friedman Outdoors, will be on the Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing today and Sunday for extended half-day action. There will be an 8:30 a.m. seminar with a 9 a.m. departure. The trip will target delicious-eating sculpin, wintertime bass, halibut, perch and sand dabs.

“I think we have a great game plan for the weekend,” said veteran Westerly skipper John Ackley. “First, we are going to get our anglers a sack full of great-eating fish, and then we will go looking for some bass and halibut.”

Hundreds of dollars in raffle prizes will be given away, and participants can be part of the next Patch fishing video. For reservations, call 424-237-0250 or email fishingwphil@gmail.com.

Quick bites

• Danny Stevenson took over the lead in the Dana Wharf Halibut Derby with a monster 39.3-pound flatfish. The Derby jackpot, which is currently nearing $1,700, is growing every week. It’s easy to enter the derby. Entrants can fish on Halibut Drift Days or cough up an extra $5 on any half- or three-quarter-day trip to be eligible for the big money and prizes.

• Steve Herckt from Orange hoop-netted limits of lobster in a short period of time at the Marina del Rey breakwall this week. “We set our nets at 5:30 p.m. and were headed home with 14 lobster for two of us in less than an hour,” said Herckt, adding that they threw back another four legal lobster as they had their limits. “I don’t know what was better; the fishing or the meal.”

 Sourced from: Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch

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This weekend has almost everything to make the 2012 Seal Beach Surfing Championships perfect. The National Weather Service is predicting 10-foot waves Saturday along with sunny warm weather for early January, and this weekend marks the opening of the contest’s waiting period. But Surfline founder Sean Collins, the man who helped initiate the contest more than a decade ago, passed away from a heart attack last month, and his absence this year will be sorely missed.

Despite the promising conditions, the contest will not be held this weekend in order to avoid a conflict with the paddleout in Collins’ honor at 11 a.m. Sunday morning off the Huntington Beach Pier.

“We want to honor Sean Collins, and we don’t want to create a conflict with surf contest happening at the same time as the paddleout,” said Seal Beach Lifeguard Nick Bolin.

The Seal Beach Surfing Championships has its roots in the annual Seal Beach surfing competition that lasted through the 70s and went on hiatus in 1982. The championship was resurrected by Seal Beach Lifeguards and community members such as Collins as the Surfliner Championship in 1999. Ever since, the contest has been a part of the community, and Collins has been a big part of the contest.

Each year, for the past 14 years, the lifeguards have hosted a winter surf contest to raise money for local charities such as J. H. McGuagh Elementary and Project SEEK. This year’s donation will help the families of the victims in the Salon Meritage shooting.

The waiting period for the best surf conditions for this year’s two-day contest will run through Feb.26.

 Sourced from: Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch

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 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Food

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 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Food

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What started as a few friends doing something fun and different on New Year’s Day has turned into a tradition that grows with each year, now with hundreds of people showing up in swimsuits and crazy costumes to take a dip in the chilly water to wash off the old, and bring in the new.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT BELOW:

“Everyone just gets to greet and wish each other a Happy New Year. It’s a beautiful thing. There’s no gift exchanged, there’s no expectations, it’s just a great day to just celebrate life,” said organizer Lee Love.

The event has turned into a fundraiser, with breakfast served in the morning and certificates available to raise funds for various charities like the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach, Canine Companions for Independence, Lions Hearing Clinic and Research Center, and more.

The haze was so thick through the morning that it was tough to see the ocean. But just as plungers started to make their way to the sand, the weather turned – the warm sun making it more tolerable to jump into the chilly 60-degree water.

“I knew it was going to burn off,” Love said. “It’s like June gloom in January.”

SEE THE VIDEO OF THE SURF CITY SPLASH HERE OR BELOW:

For Blair Wilges, of Pennsylvania, the dip wasn’t too intimidating – considering he’s done a polar plunge in the icy waters of Scotland.

“It’s colder than you’d like to know,” he said. “It was about 38-degrees outside, and the water wasn’t much warmer.”
So was he nervous about the Huntington Beach splash?

“It will be a refreshing dip – but not too frigid,” he said.

One of the best parts about the event is seeing what kind of crazy costumes people come up with. There are plenty of New Year’s party hats. There’s the pirate who goes all out every year, looking like he just walked off the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” One group of girls wore bright pink wigs. Pretty much anything goes at this beach party, which lasts no more than 15 minutes.

Jennifer Funke, of Redondo Beach, decided to show up in her Christmas pajamas, an apron and a fuzzy purple hat.
“I picked something that wouldn’t get destroyed and would be easy to wash,” she said, later learning that the pajamas got very heavy after getting drenched in the water.

Most people, however, just wore bikinis or board shorts.

“I’m a little scared about the coldness,” said Huntington Beach resident and first time splasher Shenoa Petersen, looking chilly in just her swimsuit.

Joining Petersen was Keith Townsend, who said they had been in the water the day prior – but with wetsuits on.

“She’s not chickening out,” he said.

This year, the Surf City Splash was held on the south side of the pier because of strong swell and rip currents. Lifeguards watched closely to make sure people didn’t get too close to the pier pilings, which waves could have smacked them into.

Those who weren’t brave enough to take a dip watched from the sand and hundreds lined the pier to watch.

Splashers of all ages lined the sand and as soon as the countdown was complete as noon struck, they rushed into the water. Friends and family splashed each other, sounds of screams and New Year’s horns filled the beach, and people ran out as quick as they ran in. Some stayed in the water to enjoy the cleanse.

Mason Bodle, 8, came out shivering.

“It’s so freezing. Really cold,” he said, before turning back around to the ocean. “I’m going back in.”
Among the oldest plungers were Hugh Goldstein, 83, and wife Amy, 78.

The couple – who have been married more than 50 years – came out of the cold water holding each others hands. It was the third year they’ve taken the plunge together.

“He’s holding me up,” she quipped.

“Our hands are frozen together,” Hugh said with a chuckle.

Starting the New Year with a splash in Huntington Beach is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Food

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Hundreds of people show up on the sand – some wearing wild and wacky costumes – to do the 2012 Surf City Splash, where organizers do a 10-9-8… countdown, and revelers sprint into the water and take a dunk.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR’S EVENT:

“We’ll be washing off the old of 2011,” says organizer Lee Love.

The event is a great way to do something fun and different with friends and family, and it sounds like weather will be wonderful for this year’s event. People who just want to watch,  line the pier and sand to cheer for the splashers. The event is open to the public.

It also serves as a fund-raiser, with a pancake breakfast and T-shirts and certificates available before the event. The funds benefit several charities, including the International Surfing  Museum in Huntington Beach, Canine Companions for Independence, Lions Hearing Clinic and Research Center, SightFirst Foundation, Therapeutic Riding Center, and Project Self-Sufficiency.

The event started about a decade ago when Huntington resident Michael Parks and a few friends jumped in the water on New Years Day, and the event just caught on like wildfire.

Some revelers come dressed up with party hats, others in full blown costumes. There are pirates, clowns, and people trying to shock the hangovers out of their systems.

There are a lot of cultures that partake in similar “Polar Plunges,” mostly in colder temps like New York or Chicago. Many plunges serve as a fund-raiser for Special Olympics.

While we might be called chicken for gripping about the balmy 50-something waters in So Cal, it’s still a bit of a shock to jump into the water!

Information: www.HBSurfCitySplash.com

Are you crazy enough to do the Surf City Splash on New Years? is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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Sean Collins, founder of Surfline (and surfline.com) passed away from a heart attack the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, 2011, while playing tennis in Newport Beach.  He’s shown in the photo speaking to the audience when he received his hand and footprints on the the HSS Surfers Hall of Fame around 2008. Collins was known around the globe for his surf wave predictions. Those who knew him spoke about his abilities to predict waves as nearly god-like, and many said he had an inside track that no one on else on Earth had. He will be missed in Huntington Beach where his offices in the Pierside Pavilion building are located, and in Seal Beach where his family resides and he was known by the community as a fun-loving  surfer and dedicated family man.  See larger photo and more information.

 Sourced from: Surf City News

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It’s easy to pull an all-nighter this time of year. In the run-up to Christmas, there are parties and marathon gift-wrapping sessions. For students, add on all-night cram sessions for final exams.

And there’s no rest for the weary come Dec. 26. No, post-Christmas just means catching red-eye flights (back home if you’ve been visiting relatives, off to a ski resort or tropical island if you’re lucky). Plus New Year’s Eve beckons, with its requirement to toast and kiss at midnight.

So what’s a sleep-deprived reveler to do in order to look not like something the cat dragged in but like the cat’s meow the morning after? Writer Alene Dawson talked to some experts about how to look and feel your best when dawn blends into the night before.

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– Susan Denley

Photo: After dancing the night away, restoration tools aid the complexion. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images.

 Sourced from: All The Rage

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 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Food

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For those of you who were naughty, no doubt you’ll get skunked! Today was one of those beautiful days – clean through the morning, a bit offshore, sun was out, and a few fun waves coming through. It wasn’t big, but a new swell is brewing and this weekend should be super fun.

Surfline says a new south, southwest swell will be building though the day, with waves in the 2-3 foot range today and a few chest-high sets.
Saturday we’ll see a mix of building south, southwest mixed with a bit of northwest for some combo action. Expect waves in the 3-4 foot range, with some head high sets, according to Surfline.com.

The swell continues on Sunday and into early next week. Be aware of the 7-foot high tide that is going to mush it up!
Just a few fun shots from this morning to get you pumped on this weekend. Oh, and Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas – fun surf on the way! is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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Brian Robertson, CEO of the Seal Beach-based solar power company Amonix, died Thursday in a plane crash in Pennsylvania.The married father of three was 38.

“We are devastated by this tragic accident,” said Amonix Founder, CTO and Chairman of the Board Vahan Garboushian. “Brian was an incredible leader and our heart goes out to his family.”

The company issued a brief statement on its website: “Brian Robertson, Amonix CEO, tragically passed away in a plane crash in York County, Pennsylvania, at 5:30 p.m. EST on December 22, 2011. We are devastated by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Robertson was a pilot and a graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School. He joined Amonix in 2009 when it acquired Sunworks Solar LLC, which Robertson confounded. Prior to that, he co-founded Sun Edison LLC, North America’s largest solar energy services provider. Before Sun Edison, he co-founded PlanetAll in 1996 and served as Chief Technical Officer until Amazon.com acquired the web-based services.

According to the company website, Amonix designs and manufactures concentrated photovoltaic solar power systems that require no water and produce more energy per acre than any other solar technology.

 Sourced from: Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch

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They’re putting together a lineup of about 20 longtime community members who helped frame the fabric of the quaint beach town. They will present their interviews on the Seal Beach Community Television Station. Among the 20 who will be featured, according to Appelgate, will be “people who lived here in the ’20s and experienced the roaring days.”

Sourced from: News

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 Sourced from: The Orange County Register – News Headlines : Things To Do

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Michael Pless, owner of M & M Surf School, has been dressing up as Surfing Santa for 17 years, bringing cheer to the beach and a holiday vibe to the line up. He dresses up in a custom-made Coral Reef wetsuit to keep warm, and tries to get his hat and beard filled with water.

Surfing Santa is a famous fixture in Seal Beach, and photos of him have been published around the world. He’s even on Islands restaurant gift cards this year.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF SURFING SANTA BELOW: 

“Look for Santa in the water and we’ll take some pictures and pose for you,” he said. “It brings the spirit of Christmas to the beach.”

Young Charlie Peck, of Long Beach, looked in near shock as Santa walked along the sand to get his board. He walked over and whispered in Santa’s ear that he’d like a green Power Ranger sword.

“He said to me, ‘I didn’t know Santa liked the beach’,” said his mom Erin Peck.

Santa can be found surfing through Dec. 31, just look for the M & M Surf School truck and you know he’s near.

Santa was up to no good up in Mountain High, and I was cracking up at this video and had to share. He was up on the mountain ripping, spraying down riders as he passed and bringing some serious mischief to the mountain. I had no idea Santa could be so bad!

Check out the video below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Santa rips surfing and snowboarding … really! is a post from: OC Beach Blog

 Sourced from: OC Beach Blog

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