PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The Holidays are upon us and I am reflecting on PB Surf Club’s year. We have doubled our membership, swelled the surf team ranks and gained valuable experience producing our own contest and several events. We are laying the groundwork for non-profit status, the logo contest is underway and we have a new customized pop-up tent. It all adds up to an identity and a pretty amazing one at that.

Do you realize the Summer Classic donated $2000 to MDA, raffled five new long boards, provided frame worthy t-shirt art, had a Polynesian Dance Troup entertain, awarded collectable trophies and charged only sixty dollars entry? No club has done that this year. And how about our newsletter? We’re pulling into 2007 strong, with Surf Clinics at Tourmaline, new ideas for the Classic and maybe even a Club surf trip or two – Scorpion Bay anyone?

Look into your surfer soul and know that we are an ancient tribe. There were surfers before there were Romans and we are still pulling into glassy norths in sparkling Santa Anna conditions. They fell. We are forged from surf tradition and the power of the ocean itself. And when we join together we are capable of great things.

Kathy Austin
President 2006

INTREPID TRIO TRAVELS SOUTH POST TURKEY

By Richard Steadham

You know how these surf trips usually start out, everyone's onboard and interested in a new adventure at first. As the trip draws nearer however, reality starts intruding on most peoples' enthusiasm and one by one they quitely bow out. Following true to form once again, the club's after-Thanksgiving weekend trip to Baja that had originally included upwards of eight members, eventually winnowed down to just three by the Friday morning departure time of 5:30 a.m. Undeterred and pressing onward were Kathy Austin and Lisa Ryner travelling in Kathy's Mercedes wagon, and your humble editor, following behind in my little red Ford Ranger pickup. We were a caravan of two.

After a quick exit for the women at Palm Avenue down in Imperial Beach to collect me, we were just minutes later at the border filing for tourist visas for our journey. Prior to leaving, I had alerted Kathy that some Baja websites I had visited stated that travellers going south of Ensendada, or staying more than three days, needed to acquire a tourist visa. As we were doing both this trip, I suggested we get one. I had visions of Federales giving us trouble up ahead if we didn't have them. Kathy on the other hand wasn't sure we really needed one, but relented in the end. Twenty dollars each and a little bureaucratic back and forth later, we were on our way, travel visas in hand.

About an hour after crossing the border, our first stop was at San Miguel to find some breakfast and to see if any pre-contest stirring was under way. It was to begin the next day on Saturday and continue into Sunday. Way back when, our club was planning to send an entire team down for the event, but opted for the Cuatro Casas surf trip instead. The skeleton team from PB that did show up for the contest included the Grand Masters duo of Pablo Smith and Pier Moore. This being Friday, too early for their arrivel at the event, Kathy spotted Indy Callaway from the Windansea Surf Club and told her of our plans to skip the contest this year and drive further south for unfettered surf. She also asked, "where do we eat around here?" Indy wished us luck in our quest for surf, then suggested a place just down the road called Las Rosas for breakfast. When we got there, it didn't take long for us all to agree she was right—it was very good, yet a bit on the pricey side. After filling ourselves up with all things that make up a good breakfast, we were back on the road, winding our way through bustling Ensenada and beyond, into the hill country south.

We eventually passed through the sleepy little town of Colonet and before long found the turnoff to Cuatro Casas. Several minutes later with 6.8 miles of dusty and rocky dirt road behind us, we arrived at our distination. Time, 11:30 in the morning. When we got out to stretch and check the surf at first glance, we felt like we had dust in places we didn't know we had places. By 12:30 we were suited up and paddling out into a lineup which included just five other surfers of average ability. No problem.

The remnants of a North West swell provided the energy in the water we were now enjoying with sets in the waist-to-chest-high range. Water temp about 64 degrees. You wore booties not for the temperature of the water however, but to save your feet from the rocks on the beach and under the surf. The right-hand point break delivered up some really fun waves and I occasionlly thought I saw a brief left sneak by from time to time. Being a goofy-foot, if I think I see a left to be had, I'm going for it. Unfortunately, Kathy was on my left side when we both took off on one and boy did she give me the stink eye I'll never forget. She assumed I was going right, as we were surfing a right-hand point break—duh—but here I was turning left, right into her! Into the soup we went. After we had both retrieved our boards and were paddling back out she half-jokingly said it was a good thing we were friends or it would have been curtains for me! Since then, I've learned to keep her on my right side when out in a lineup surfing together. By three o'clock, the wind was all over it and the tide down leaving a sloppy mess. We retreated to the relative comfort of our new home for the next few days for showers and some much needed relaxation.

The hostel, which was to be our temporary home, is owned by an American expat named Richard and his Mexican wife Teresa (I didn't catch his last name while we were there). Originally from Orange County, he bought the place 18 years ago and never went back, preferring the rugged beauty and endless, uncrowded surf down there to the masses north of the border. For our planned three night stay, they gave us reign of the whole upstairs for our use which included two bedrooms (Kathy and Lisa in one, me in the other), a kitchen, living room and bathroom. The downstairs had several more bedrooms (all empty while we were there), a living room and a big bathroom with a hot shower. After we had settled in, we took a stroll down to the cove just below us to see what kind of waves a group of about six surfers were catching. The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out on the upstairs terrace drinking margaritas and lounging about the living room just inside. Later, Kathy cooked up some great hamburgers while LIsa prepared all the trimmings to satisfy our rumbling tummys. In typical male fashion I suppose, my part in the whole affair was in eating the feast set before us. In defense, I did help with the cleanup. Exhausted, we all turned in early, anticipating the morning dawn patrol.

Saturday morning finally dawned and a look at the surf in front of the hostel didn't look promising. Kathy said, "let's go exploring!" Lisa and I readily agreed. We came to surf doggonit and surf we were going to find. Lisa quickly threw down a light breakfast of milk and cereal, me an Odwalla Bar and banana. Kathy swished down some coffee which she called "brackish" after remembering she'd made it with the local tap water. I usually can't function in the morning without my "cup of joe", but after giving the stuff a sip, I tossed the rest down the sink. Yuk.

We loaded all the boards on my truck and bumped our way down the coast on a dirt road which hugged the water's edge. Passing a few surf camps with surfers bobbing up and down in the water in front of each, we eventually made it down to a spot called "Shipwrecks," for obvious reasons, there's a big wreck right there in the lineup offshore. Impressive as that sight is, the surf wasn't following suit. Way out on the point a couple of longboarders were catching some knee-high waves that had clean shape, but we wanted some size with our session. "Let's head back up to Robert's Left," Kathy said, referring to a spot halfway back between the hostel and the place we now stood. "That sounds good to me," said Lisa, a goofy-footed comrade like me. We had seen some sizable waves there when we had passed it earlier, but the break was at the time being surfed by what looked like in Kathy's words, "old grumpasaursouses." When we got back to the spot however, the grumps were gone, being replaced by some younger surfers who were now laying claim to the waves. No problem we thought, we'll just take the beachbreak peak north of where they were surfing and everyone should be happy. By the time we had suited up and started paddling out though, here they came paddling up to where we were now establishing ourselves.

For close to an hour we all surfed together without incident—they keeping to themselves in a rather tight-knit group—us to ours, all going for the same waves. Eventually they tired of us oldsters keeping pace with the wave-count-per-side and they gave up and left. You take satisfaction where you can get it at my age and we seemed to have won this round. We had the place all to ourselves for about 30 minutes longer before the tides and wind turned it all to crap. While it was firing though, we had some chest-high fun that kept Lisa and me smiling with all those lefts, and Kathy happy to oblige us while surfing backside for at least one session.

When we finally got out of the water we were in the mood for more exploring—and food. We decided to take one of the dirt roads east toward Baja 1, then head south to the town of Camalu. After filling up the gas tank at the local Pemex station in town, Kathy said to take the dirt road next to it and head towards the ocean. She'd been here before and remembered that it led to a good point break. This road was much better travelled than the coast-hugging one we'd bumped along earlier in the day and minutes later we found ourselves in front of a fairly new restaurant and hotel called "La Cueba del Pirata", overlooking Camalu Point, a good break when firing, but not doing so at this hour. A private party was taking place inside, so we gladly took a table on the patio outside. It was mid afternoon when we clinked three Tecates together celebrating our present circumstances with such a fine view of the point below. Huge plates of Mexican food arrived in time and the feast was on. We left there full, but feeling the need to find some more beer and tequila to take back with us to the hostel for later. A Liquor store in Camalu had what we wanted and we headed back to Cuatro Cases to see what the evening surf would look like.

When we got back, the surf was zilch to non-existant, the wind taking up where the surf had once been. Whatever northwest had been in the water earlier was now a distant memory. We broke out the alcohol recently purchased and proceeded to drink our dinner. We were all still full from the lunch down in Camalu anyway. Another early to bed evening with hopes of better things the next morning put a period on Saturday's events.

Sunday morning arrived with the wind still blowing and waves nowhere to be seen, save for the wind chop on the water. kathy rounded us all together and asked if we wanted to stay and see what happens, or head back up to San Miguel where we could at least take in a little contest action before leaving for home a day early. We all agreed to leave early and made final arrangements with our host. (Story continues below.)

The two hour plus trip back to San Miguel was uneventful, except for the occasional slow-moving truck or bus we'd have to contend with before dashing around. We eventually put the necessary miles behind us though and were soon down at the contest site shaking hands with Pablo and Pier, who by a stroke of good luck were just getting ready to paddle out for their Grand Masters Final. The surf was small by San Miguel standards and the waves were breaking near the rocks on the point. Pablo got several good waves, as did Pier. On what was to be Pier's final wave of the day though, he kicked out a little late and his board went right up into the rocks, breaking off two fins and gouging the glass on the nose and rails in the process. Fortunately for him, the only thing that was hurt was his pride. The board could be repaired.

After the guys' final, we didn't hang around to find out the results, we wanted to get back up to the border before things got out of hand there. We wished them luck and said our good byes. When we arrived at the border an hour later, we were too late. The time was just 2 o'clock in the afternoon and the traffic was already stacking up way beyond the usual place.

I was afraid this would happen when we left Cuatro Casas a day early, but thought we could beat the rush to the border. Kathy had a Sentri Pass and a plan though and led me to where she thought I might be able to squeeze in, but one of Tijuana's finest had other plans in mind. He ordered me back to the end of the line, where two hours and forty minutes later I finally made it back, this time honestly. It was 5:40 p.m. when I inched my way past him with a forced smile on my face, and it would be over an hour later before I would watch the border patrol officer disappear in my rear view mirror at the border check point at 6:45 p.m. Four hours and forty five minutes! A new record for me and I resolved it would be the last time I go to Mexico without a Sentri Pass of my own.

Looking back on our trip now, we didn't score any epic surf or anything close. We did discover for ourselves however what others had found before, some clean uncrowded waves in a country so close, yet so far away. Here's to our next adventure. Hope you can join us!

PB SURF CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY

On December fifth the club gathered at the Bare Back Grill in Pacific Beach to kick off the holiday season. It's always great to get together with friends and family to share in good food and conversation and this event provided just the right blend of both. A little alcohol to warm the spirits didn't hurt either. It gave us the chance to reflect on the club's accomplishments this year, and begin to think about new goals for next. The following link takes you to a who's who of the evening's revellers. Enjoy.

PB Surf Club Holiday Party Photo Album

PB SURF CLUB HAS A SISTER IN JAPAN

By Dennis and Mako Ogden

Hi PB Surf Club,

Went to Japan this October and visited the PB surf club in Omaezaki, Shizuoka, where is takes 2 hours by car South from Tokyo. Their location is ocean front and kind of country side.

The club has a nice rental selection, shower, massage and locker rooms that are very clean and neat.
They also have their own original brand of wet suit, rash guard and gloves, etc. ("Pele" brand, Hawaiian Volcano God).

Sometimes they have a BBQ party with students at the front of the surf club.

Mako called the club from Pacific Beach and made an appointment for October 12th. They were waiting at the facilities and had lunch ready for us when we arrived. While we were talking, we had some homemade curry. After lunch, they showed us some interesting surf breaks.

The people there are very nice and kind. Noriko Ishikawa is the school manager and chief instructor.
Other instructors were Masashi Hitomi and Sanae Kurita.

We gave them a couple of our t-shirts from the PB surf club here in San Diego and a video of one of the club's first meetings featuring Glen Paculba, Larry Gordon, Skip Frye and other honorary members. They gave us a private label "Pele" (volcano god) t-shirt.

We didn't surf Japan this time, but saw good waves all over central part of the country. We surfed a nice South swell in Oahu on the way home.

On October 23rd, we visited their website and saw our pictures and a friendly message appeared.
They said they would like to come to Pacific Beach sometime and it would be great to accommodate them.

Their website is at: http://www.pbsurfclub.com/

See you at the beach,

Dennis and Mako Ogden

BTW. A first japanese surf trip would be best accomplished with another Japanese speaking person.

Please welcome the following new members into the club:

Rick and Ricky Carne
Martin Murphy and family, Renae, Shaun and Tami
Jane Mold

Be sure to show the PBSC aloha spirit to each when you see them at future club meetings and events.

Memos

It occured to me recently that not everyone on this newsletter's subscriber database may be interested in receiving the Pacific Beach Surf Club "Memos" which are occasionally sent out by yours truly. Only about one third of our subscribers are actual dues-paying, active members and everyone else may not be interested in having their email inbox cluttered with club business. Here's what we're going to do:

To continue receiving this newsletter WITHOUT the memos, do nothing, you'll continue getting CURRENTS just as you have been.

To get the newsletter AND the memos, you'll need to opt-in by sending me an email. Click here to do that. In the subject line of the message say, "Yes Memos" and you'll continue recieving BOTH the newsletter AND the memos. Note, you don't need to be an active member to receive the memos.

Remember, for those who want to be in the know, opt-in!

Calling all graphic designers, artists, doodlers and erstwhile visualists!

This is your last chance to enter the club's new logo contest. The deadline is still December 31st, so keep those entries coming. Send yours in today. For more on all of this go here.

Bob's Mission Surf is adding Beach Boy Style Surfing to it's inventory of great longboards and classic fish. Also known as stand up paddle surfing, this is the sport of Hawaiian kings that is over a thousand years old. Bob's will be introducing some of the finest equipment available to the Pacific Beach area. Mission Surf will be the first retail surf shop to cater to this style of surfing in San Diego. You'll find hand made wooden paddles from Leleo Kinimaka of Maui, as well as Carbon Fiber blades from Pohaku Paddles of Ohaua and Quick Blades from Jim Terrell.

Some of the hand made Epoxy boards that Bob's will be the dealer for will include: Pearson Arrow, Hobie, Infinity, Walden, Laird by Ron House, as well as the Surftech Laird model. Custom orders will be accepted. Bob's will also stock all accessories including, paddle bags, board bags and traction pads.

As an incentive for PB Club members to give this oldest of Hawaiian Sports a try, Bob will offer limited Demos for free as well as having some equipment for general rentals. Ask Bob for details.

Boards will be arriving around the end of the year. Beach Boy Surfing will be the biggest addition to the local surfing community since the longboard came back.
Kuku Hoe
Photo of Todd Bradley Canoes, Ohau