CiviC CouCh South Bay

March in Like A Lion

Surf Culture

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From The Editor:

i was going to head down to huntington Beach and take a few shots of our South Bay guys surfing in the vans Pier Classic on Thursday March 24th. i got a bunch of calls and text Wednesday evening about how good it was going to be

here and that some spots were already firing. i made a last minute desision to stay here in the South Bay.

Chris Wells gave me the first call in the morning. “You gotta get down to Porto, it’s really good”. Like a lot of people i interviewed about this story, it looked good but not great when i first got there. Standing in the parking lot i was wondering if i had made the wrong choice.

Grabbing my camera and tripod, i headed down to the beach. on my way down i saw Keith Brewer paddling into a head high wave, get to his feet and stand straight up in to a perfect barrel only to get shot out a few seconds later. Right then i felt good about my decision to stay.

As you will read in the comments by the guys who were out there, it wasn’t the all time best day at Porto. it was a day full of makable head high + barrels with a light crowd (almost all were friends) and great weather.

Chris Brown (one of the guys out there getting his share) stated it as “That day was insane. I thought afterwards the talk got a little out of hand. I heard a bunch of people claiming “Best Porto of all-time”. I think that’s over the top. I’ve seen it a lot bigger and even more perfect. A lot of older guys will remember a 3-day run we had back in the mid-90’s where it was howling offshore and double overhead plus for 3 days straight. I thought every one of those days was better than this last swell. But obviously, it was the best day we’ve had this year and the fact that there was a lot of short-interval swell mixing in made it super consistent and allowed it to maintain it’s wedgey shape even on a really low tide. I was amazed when I first paddled out that there were only about 15 guys spread all the way from Rosecrans to 45th. And even better, it was just the boys. It was all friends just sharing insane waves for the first hour or two. Eventually, the crowd filled in and got kind of brutal, but by then, every-one had gotten their share. I will say that I don’t ever remember seeing that many guys getting barreled and coming out-and I’m talking about anywhere. In that way, it was a very special day. Let’s pray for more days like that!!”

Brad Jacobson

Publisher

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On The Cover:Derek Brewer in one of many

Photo: Jacobson

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Executive Editor Brad Jacobson

brad@civiccouch.com

Executive Literary Editor

Kathleen Paralusz

Contributing Writers

Chris Brown

Kevin Cody

Contributing Photographers

Ricky Lesser, Randy Ruby, Mike Balzer, Paul Fisher, Brad Jacobson

Letters To The Editor

brad@civiccouch.com

Advertising and Marketing

Brad Jacobson

brad@civiccouch.com (310) 406.5998

SuBMiT YouR SuRF PhoTo’Sbrad@civiccouch.com

Contact Brad Jacobson

for more information

brad@civiccouch.com

310.406.5998

MARCH IN LIKE A LIONMarch 24th, El Porto. That morning i drove past it on my way down to a shoot the breakwall and just glimpsed at it from the road and saw a sickkkk one peel down the beach from way out side but just wrote it off because i know Porto is is never good on low tide and it was dead low tide. When i got to Redondo i saw Scott Johnsen, one of the South Bay legends. he was jumping back in his truck, i asked him what’s good...he said has heading straight back to Porto, that he just got the call that it was unbelievably good...and i said so was i. haha. i heard no one has seen it like that for years... When i was heading back i remembered that park where i have been before shooting scenic’s. i went straight to it and then made my way down to the beach...Such an epic day.- Paul Fisher

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MARCH IN LIKE A LIONMarch 24th, El Porto. That morning i drove past it on my way down to a shoot the breakwall and just glimpsed at it from the road and saw a sickkkk one peel down the beach from way out side but just wrote it off because i know Porto is is never good on low tide and it was dead low tide. When i got to Redondo i saw Scott Johnsen, one of the South Bay legends. he was jumping back in his truck, i asked him what’s good...he said has heading straight back to Porto, that he just got the call that it was unbelievably good...and i said so was i. haha. i heard no one has seen it like that for years... When i was heading back i remembered that park where i have been before shooting scenic’s. i went straight to it and then made my way down to the beach...Such an epic day.- Paul Fisher

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Matt Pagan was toying all morning with how deep he could get and still make it out. Photo: Jacobson

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DEEEEEEEPEveryone was getting deep on the 24th but this wave was just sick. Justin Genest was completly gone for a few seconds before getting spit out. See the full sequence at our movie showing this month. Photos: Brad Jacobson

DEEEEEEEPEveryone was getting deep on the 24th but this wave was just sick. Justin Genest was completly gone for a few seconds before getting spit out. See the full sequence at our movie showing this month. Photos: Brad Jacobson

Derek BrewerWe could have filled an entire magazine with the sequence of this wave. Sequence: Jacobson

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More than BarrelsPeople were getting shacked all morning long but ocasionally ...

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Chris Wells

Greg Browing

Chris Frohoff throwing

Staying low

Greg Browing

Keith Brewer

Greg Browning

DIFFERENT ANGLESAll Photos: Paul Fisher

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SetsWhile most sets were in the head high range, a few bigger ones came through Photos: Brad Jacobson

Matt Walls

Racing

Derek Brewer

Chris Wells

South Bay Surf Series #3

Men’s Open Division finalist. Matt Pagan took first place (2 in a row). Photo: Balzer

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Matt Pagan slashing his way to another SBSS Victory Photo: Balzer

Natalie Anzivino takes another title in the Women’s Open Division Photo: Jacobson

South Bay Surf Series #3

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1.overview of the contest site2. Mike Purpose put on a contest jersey for the first time in over 20 years3. Jani Lange welcoming the contestants4. Smacking the inside section5.Jamie Meistrell rooting on XXX Walls to a first place finish in the kids division6. Legends Division Finalist7. Little finalist8. Natalie Anzivino and Filippa Ferrara

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4.5.

7.

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6.8.

Matt Mohegan: “When i first pulled up it was around 8 or so and it was low tide and off shore, it looked like mini puerto escondido. Def the best day in years our there. There were well overhead spitting peaks all up and down the beach. That was one of the swells that can turn the most closed out beachbreaks that you never look at into a A+ waves. i wish i had woke up earlier!. i think the whole southbay was out there, every wave had someone i knew on it and they were getting shacked.”Photo: Paul Fisher

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Matt Mohegan: “When i first pulled up it was around 8 or so and it was low tide and off shore, it looked like mini puerto escondido. Def the best day in years our there. There were well overhead spitting peaks all up and down the beach. That was one of the swells that can turn the most closed out beachbreaks that you never look at into a A+ waves. i wish i had woke up earlier!. i think the whole southbay was out there, every wave had someone i knew on it and they were getting shacked.”Photo: Paul Fisher

Chris Frohoff: “For me i can put that day in my top 50. Based on the fact that i’ve been surfing for 35 years. i’m sure if you are 18 years old then it’s in your top 10. That’s the number i heard was floating around. i think everyone was stoked because it wasn’t very heavy and the paddle out was easy. The rights were staying open for easy barrels but the lefts had more clamping sections. i had 2 backhand barrels that i will never forget. Let’s hope for more days like that!”Photo: Jacobson

Chris Frohoff: “For me i can put that day in my top 50. Based on the fact that i’ve been surfing for 35 years. i’m sure if you are 18 years old then it’s in your top 10. That’s the number i heard was floating around. i think everyone was stoked because it wasn’t very heavy and the paddle out was easy. The rights were staying open for easy barrels but the lefts had more clamping sections. i had 2 backhand barrels that i will never forget. Let’s hope for more days like that!”Photo: Jacobson CiviC 29 CouCh

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MATT PAGAN: “That day was in one word... Ridiculous. It was the best day I’ve seen so far out there. I think I did two turns the whole time I was out there. It was crazy, everywhere you’d turn someone was getting kegged. It was just one of those special days where all the boys were out getting shacked! “Photo: Brad Jacobson

MATT PAGAN: “That day was in one word... Ridiculous. It was the best day I’ve seen so far out there. I think I did two turns the whole time I was out there. It was crazy, everywhere you’d turn someone was getting kegged. It was just one of those special days where all the boys were out getting shacked! “Photo: Brad Jacobson

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KEITH BREWER: “Last Thursday was insane. El Porto doesn’t usually offer up open wide barrels with A frame peaks. This is the best day I have seen in El Porto in the last 5 years. I must have came out of 15 really good tubes that day.”Photo: Brad Jacobson

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KEITH BREWER: “Last Thursday was insane. El Porto doesn’t usually offer up open wide barrels with A frame peaks. This is the best day I have seen in El Porto in the last 5 years. I must have came out of 15 really good tubes that day.”Photo: Brad Jacobson

Kelly Zaun: “That Thursday was amazing. El Porto’s usual close-outs were replaced with perfect peaks. Every guy that I know in the South Bay was out surfing and there were plenty of waves to go around. Best day of this winter hands down!”Photo: Brad Jacobson

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Kelly Zaun: “That Thursday was amazing. El Porto’s usual close-outs were replaced with perfect peaks. Every guy that I know in the South Bay was out surfing and there were plenty of waves to go around. Best day of this winter hands down!”Photo: Brad Jacobson

Chris Rodriguez coming around the corner

JuStIn GeNeSt: “That was the best Porto I’ve personally seen. Keg size barrels everywhere. Everyone I know was getting and making barrels!”photo: brad jacobson

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JuStIn GeNeSt: “That was the best Porto I’ve personally seen. Keg size barrels everywhere. Everyone I know was getting and making barrels!”photo: brad jacobson

Photo by Scott Gorski

DAVID CURRY: “I can’t believe I almost did not paddle out after checking it early. Fortunately the boys started calling saying “it’s going off”.Phot0: Brad Jacobson

DAVID CURRY: “I can’t believe I almost did not paddle out after checking it early. Fortunately the boys started calling saying “it’s going off”.Phot0: Brad Jacobson

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CHRIS WELLS : “I’ve surfed Porto since I was a kid, and I can only remember seeing it this good a handful of times! All time South Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”Photo: Brad Jacobson

CHRIS WELLS : “I’ve surfed Porto since I was a kid, and I can only remember seeing it this good a handful of times! All time South Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”Photo: Brad Jacobson

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After his heat at the Katin ProPhoto: Peter Dive

Matt Chernega : “I pulled into el Porto, and saw barrel after barrel. Spitting tubes everywhere. My adrenaline was pumping. I slamed my truck in to the last spots in the lot, I through my suit on and had a bearrel fest. It was the best session ever.”Photo: Brad Jacobson

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Matt Chernega : “I pulled into el Porto, and saw barrel after barrel. Spitting tubes everywhere. My adrenaline was pumping. I slamed my truck in to the last spots in the lot, I through my suit on and had a bearrel fest. It was the best session ever.”Photo: Brad Jacobson

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Scott Smith : “It was easily one of the best days I’ve ever surfed out there. All the bros were out and I ended up getting lucky and having a set wave double up right to me. I just turned and went, stalled, and then pulled into the best barrel I’ve ever had at El Porto. For once the video guy got a good one!”Photo: Jacobson

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Scott Smith : “It was easily one of the best days I’ve ever surfed out there. All the bros were out and I ended up getting lucky and having a set wave double up right to me. I just turned and went, stalled, and then pulled into the best barrel I’ve ever had at El Porto. For once the video guy got a good one!”Photo: Jacobson

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Clear Barrels... Greg Browning flying through a juicy right while another guy watches from the other side.Photo: Brad Jacobson

Clear Barrels... Greg Browning flying through a juicy right while another guy watches from the other side.Photo: Brad Jacobson

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40 shots, 3 In and Outs Chris Wells got so deep that I stopped shooting. I saw the tip of his board coming back out and hit the shutter again. This could have easily been a 50 shot barrel sequence. Photo: Brad Jacobson

40 shots, 3 In and Outs Chris Wells got so deep that I stopped shooting. I saw the tip of his board coming back out and hit the shutter again. This could have easily been a 50 shot barrel sequence. Photo: Brad Jacobson

Not everything was makablebut not for lack of trying

But Most Were!

This is not the normal Porto line photo: Photo: Paul Fisher

Kelly Zaun holding his line photo: Photo: Jacobson

But Most Were!

Kelly Zaun holding his line photo: Photo: JacobsonSome went unridden photo: Photo: Jacobson

A bit stoked to be in the water photo: Photo: Jacobson

same Day Different spot“I got a call early Thursday morning saying that the Bwall was going off. Jeff Yusa was standing beside me when he got the call about Porto. I man-aged to grab this shot of Marcelo Malinco before heading up to Porto. Photo: Mike Balzer

same Day Different spot“I got a call early Thursday morning saying that the Bwall was going off. Jeff Yusa was standing beside me when he got the call about Porto. I man-aged to grab this shot of Marcelo Malinco before heading up to Porto. Photo: Mike Balzer

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Another month lacking on the monster size we had last year but March pro-vided some decent size and great shape. The best swell of the month arrived March 20th with a miserable storm. Rain, hail, and strong winds pounded the South Bay. The good? The winds were howling off shore keeping the surface clean. Jaime and Tracey Meis-trell score overhead + waves for hours by themselves. By the time others found out about the conditions, they had gotten their share and set for the day. Shark Sighting? When Daniel Del Castillo told people that he had seen a shark in the line-up they laughed. Not until a half eaten dolphin corpse washed ashore did they take him serious. Aside from the weather, shark sightings, the smell of dead fish rotting and lack of any “huge” surf, March was good.... some say great.

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Photo by Rachel Tanner

MARCHMADNESS

Sunny Afternoon session

Photo: Paul Fisher

Daniel Del Castillio enjoying a March morning session photo: Photo: JacobsonPaul Fisher

Mike Losness was in town for a fun session at the MB Pier photo: Mike Balzer

Daniel De Castillo didn’t let his recent shark sight-ing at this exact spot keep him out of the line-up for long. here, Daniel hides out in the barrel looking for safety.Sequence: Jacobson

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Kelly Zaun attacked the late March swell hard everyday. This is the last day of the swell and he’s ready to go home and sleep for a few days!

Photo: Brad Jacobson

Dayton Silva spent some time during his spring break flying through the South BayPhoto: Brad Jacobson

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Dane Zaun getting his sponsors noticedPhoto: Brad Jacobson

Matt Meistrell leaning into itPhoto: Mike Balzer

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Incoming! Photo: Randy Ruby

Paddle view Photo: Bryce Lowe White

Matt Chernega getting the fins loosePhoto: Mike Balzer

Alternative Ways Out

Marcelo Malinco Photo: Brad Jacobson

Unknown sneaking in

Derek Levy Photo: Brad Jacobson

Alex Grey letting loose at homePhoto: Balzer

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Shaun Burrell spending some time in the water between classes Photo: Jacobson

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SOUTH BAY SCENICPhotos: Jacobson

Sunset SurfingPhoto: Randy Ruby

House with a viewPhoto: Jacobson

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The best part of the swell arrived with a nasty stormPhoto: JacobsonRain-Hail-Heavy Winds and Weird Cloud Formations

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The best part of the swell arrived with a nasty stormPhoto: Jacobson

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Matt ChernegaSequence: Jacobson

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Pat Weber tucking inPhoto: Balzer

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Pitchers and Pictures

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What could be more artistic then a whole slew of images and alcohol?That was the scene at the A.M.I. hosted event Pitch-ers and Pictures at Waterman’s on Hermosa Pier last month. Featured photographer Ricky Lesser displayed a few Prints above the bar, had a 20 min-ute self produced video as well as 250 image slide show on all the flat screens. After the event was in full swing Alonso Vargas and his band “Dubbington” took the stage and laid a melodic mood across the visual evening. During the commotion a few local ce-lebs stopped in to have a few including Alex Grey and body Gloves’ newest addition to their team, Jamie O’Brian.

It was a great time but if you missed it stay tuned for the second event in the series of Pitchers and Pictures featuring images from California.

Pitchers and Pictures

Alex Gray bouncing around El PortoPhoto: Jacobson

Michael LuhrsenPhoto: Jacobson

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Scott JohnsenPhoto: Balzer

Wrap Around

Daniel Del CastilloPhoto: JacobsonCiviC 89 CouCh

1.

2.

OUTSIDE

1. El Porto saw a few big days where only a handful of guys paddled out. It was mostly closed out and the paddle was tough. This guy looks like he can’t tell whether to paddle out, paddle in or just ditch his board and swim for it.2. Derek Levy sat outside waiting for the bigger sets.3.Ummmm, you may want to look behind you.

3.

OUTSIDE

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HIGH SCHOOL TALENT

Will Borzi

Josh Perch

Styling through this burnout section

Kelly Zaun

Styling through this burnout section

Filippa Ferrara floats back in Photo: Jacobson

Matt Pagan dealing with the afternoon winds Photo: Ricky Lesser

The South Bay Boardrid-ers Club Big Wave contest period closed on March 31 with no big swells to match those of the 2009-2010 winter. But 2010-2011 will be remembered for con-sistent surf, including a few swells in February and March that had local surf-ers waxing up their Califor-nia guns.

The contest area extended from Indicator in Palos Verdes on the South to El Segundo on the north. The biggest waves photo-graphed were at the Re-dondo Breakwall and the El Segundo jetty.

Photo submissions to the contest were narrowed down to half a dozen fi-nalists – four taken at the Redondo Breakwall and two at Hammerland. The contest judges are Mike Balzer, Scott Daley, Ted Robinson, Chris Frohoff, Mi-chael Luhrson, Mark Levy, Scott Johnson, Mark Theo-dore, Pat Riordan, Charlie Carver, Tom Seth and Tyler Hatzikian.

Their choice for the 2010-2011 South Bay Big Wave winner will be announced during the Hermosa Surf Film Festival on Friday, April 8 at the Hermosa Beach Community Center. The winner will receive a 10-foot gun shaped by Pat Riordan, glassed by Steve Mangiagli and airbrushed by Jose Barahona. The winner will also receive $1,000 from Body Glove.

- Kevin Cody, Easy Reader

1st place prize includes this 10-Foot gun shaped by Pat Riordan Photo: Balzer

South Bay Big Wave Challenge

Matt Pagan dealing with the afternoon winds Photo: Ricky Lesser CiviC 95 CouCh

photo: Jacobson

photo: Randy Ruby

NO VACANCYFREE ShACK RENTALS

photo: Jacobson

Final ShotLet’s hope for an April full ofMarch 24th’s!

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